Working Hard or Hardly Working?
Working Hard or Hardly Working?
It’s not easy to transition from a traditional office to a home office. Since going virtual in 2017, CSD employees have learned how to overcome the biggest barriers to work-life balance in a remote setting:
- How to stop overworking
- Prioritizing tasks
- Reducing interruptions and distractions
- Staying connected
- Keeping healthy
We understand that “getting to work” is sometimes easier said than done. Parents – whether their kids are human, fur, or flora – sometimes encounter the unexpected interruption. Washing machine decided to leak in the middle of a meeting? Check.
Plus, finding the right professional-personal relationship with your living space is tough! Realizing your kitchen chairs weren’t made for sitting in all day? Or is that big beautiful window now the World’s Most Annoying Zoom Background? Yep. We feel you.
Despite all the challenges, there’s an undeniable “plus” factor being a remote worker – especially at CSD. You can spend more time with family instead of time on a long commute. Flexible hours? You got it.
We’ve found that by working remotely, we’ve developed a community – with people both near and far. Get inspired by photos of CSD workspaces and comments about their #WFH life.
Get inspired by photos of CSD workspaces and comments about their #WFH life. Remember, no one-size-fits-all. It would be best if you made your space work for you. If you are new to working remotely or would like more tips on how to improve your spaces, check out these tips from our IT gurus.
What’s your favorite thing on your desk?
My jar of lipsticks. Can’t start a Zoom meeting without it! Other favorite items are my house plants.
How do you restructure your home with your partner working from home, children going to classes virtually, and balancing breaks in between?
I’m still trying to figure this out. With young kids, at first, I tried to wing it, and then I tried a schedule. Neither was a consistent success. These days, I try to be adaptable to what the day brings – for me, for my kids, for deadlines.
How do you start your day?
My daily ritual involves using a hand grinder and Chemex to brew fresh coffee. It takes more time than a machine, but it’s also a moment for me to reflect and prepare for the day ahead.
How do you keep in touch with your loved ones who are far away?
I have a group text with family and friends who all participate in daily workout challenges. Squats one day, wall sits another – an exercise for everyday of the week.
What do you love about working from home?
Being able to visit family for an extended time, the homemade food, and the backyard! I’ve been visiting the family for nearly a month and I live in D.C. where backyards are nearly non-existent. Having my gardening fix and sitting with the family around meals has been gratifying. Wouldn’t be able to stay this long if not for WFH culture.
Share your best life-hack for working at home.
Have a planner, a physical, not a digital one!
What are your daily distractions?
Social media. I use my Apple watch to enable the timer. Once 5 minutes have passed, I make sure to shut off whatever application I have open and get back to the task at hand. I try to do this hourly to help get through the day.
What is your advice for working from home?
Have dedicated “work shoes” – comfortable loafers or “boss” high heels. Wearing those shoes mentally tells me I’m in work mode. I’m careful not to wear those shoes outside of the house unless I’m “working.”