The latest confinement measures decided in several countries requires all of us to work from home for the next coming weeks. You might thus currently wonder what is the best way to maximize productivity and maintain a good physical and mental health throughout this period. As well as how to best collaborate with your colleagues?
Below I am sharing some concrete tips based on my personal experience, insights from my clients and highlights from neuroleadership.
1. Dress up with a business mind-set in mind. How we look can directly impact how we feel. “Dressing for work” signals to yourself (and your brain) that you're "working” and that it’s time to concentrate on your tasks. So, choose an appropriate outfit and avoid staying in pyjamas!
2. Build in a morning routine. Building a ritual can be incredibly effective in helping you get into work mode quickly and increase your productivity throughout the day.
Practice some physical activity in the morning (jogging, yoga, walk etc.). Building your physical strength will reinforce your physical as well as your mental health. In the current context characterized by a high level of uncertainty, it is even more important to strengthen your physical and mental resilience to stay in control of your thoughts, grounded and calm.
Take a healthy breakfast (and don’t forget some vitamin C!)
Meditate. The practice of mindfulness is reinforcing your capacity to stay “in the here and now” and grows your muscle of focused attention.
The book “Miracle Morning” also underlines reading and journaling amongst effective morning rituals.
Personally, I love starting my day with a 30 minutes jogging every other day, followed by a green smoothie, my bowl of muesli & fruit and a fresh orange juice. Now that my kids are home, I go every other day for a walk with my kids just after breakfast, before starting their “home-based school activities”. We then have lunch together, after what my working day is starting, which I usually start with a meditation.
If your kids are home, consider building a morning ritual for you, as well as for them to send out the right signal to your respective brains and structure your day.
3. Build in a clear organization and structure
Organize your day. Intentionally decide how you will organize your day, when you will do your calls, when you will focus on deep reflection work, when you’ll take your breaks, etc. And then stick to your hours and planning. Working from home requires some self-discipline.
Set and communicate your boundaries. If your professional digital tools enable it, share your status (available, do not disturb etc.) to inform your colleagues when you are available and when you are not. If you have your kids or spouse/wife at home, communicate your organization and set boundaries.
As a team, co-create how you will function and work together remotely. Build an alliance in which you share what you need from the team and what will contribute to the success as a team. Look for means that will foster cooperation, a sense of proximity and belonging. How will you interact? Which rules will you define to work together effectively? How will you manage virtual meetings? How do you want to stay connected? Will you hold team meetings, and if so when? Etc.
Manage distractions while you are working (e.g. put your phone on silent or – if needed – out of your sight, set clear boundaries to your kids and spouses, manage the consumption of social media etc.).
In the current situation, I manage my mails before my morning jogging, focus on my kids “schooling activities” in the morning, and then have blocked the afternoon and evening for my professional activities.
4. Create a dedicated space where you can focus on your work. Having a specific and dedicated place to work sends a physical cue to your body to focus when you are in that set space. It is also a visual cue to everyone in your household that when you are in that space, your focus is on your work. Ensure this place is clean from any household clutter (toys, laundry, newspapers etc.). If need, consider moving furniture and re-purposing some spaces so that anyone who needs a place to focus can get it.
5. Build in social online interactions and clear communications
Prefer face to face video calls with your colleagues instead of phone to reinforce the communication and bonding. Video calls enable you to also include non-verbal communication cues and thus improve the quality of the interaction.
Have a mind-set assuming the best of people and avoid interpreting written messages or situations. Assume everyone is doing his/her best and that mistakes happen.
Intentionally create opportunities to connect and find time for non-work conversations with your colleagues. Take time to ask how they are doing, as well as their family. Ensure to also connect with your more silent colleagues.
Ensure clear and specific communication when emailing and messaging co-workers or clients. Decide upfront on which topics it will be better to write, call or meet virtually.
Don’t hesitate to try out new methods of working and communicating to improve the team productivity when working remotely
Be aware this period of confinement can impact the quality of your relationships during and after this confinement period, so it’s worth taking the time to define, as a team, how you want to interact and what are your respective needs.
5. Take care of your health and well-being. Besides building in clear morning rituals to signal your brain of the mental mode you want to activate, ensure some physical movement during the day, drink enough water, and eat healthy.
As mentioned, these are tips based on my personal experience, insights from clients and highlights from neuroleadership. Identify what works best for you. Reflect on the circumstances that will allow you to be at your best, calm, energetic, and most productive?" and then try to create the most favourable circumstances for yourself.
I remain at your disposal to further exchange on this topic and support you during this transition period!
Alexandra