Some of us are still working from home - alone.
Our offices haven't reopened.
The rest of our team is also working from home. Yes, they're just a call or email or chat away if we need them, but something's....missing.
We're used to being able to run into Jane's office to brainstorm new ideas.
It was nice to have the camaraderie of getting coffee at the same time as Joe and hearing about his cute little kids.
And every time you passed Tommy's desk, he'd have a joke or a snarky remark about something.
Your boss was always available to guide you, even if it was just sign language while she was on the phone with her boss.
Now the only brainstorming you can do is with the cat - who keeps walking on your keyboard.
These changes can cause stress, anxiety, and even depression. What can we do to keep our sanity and still be productive? Let's look at some solutions...
Ask yourself, "What is something positive and constructive I can do about this?" Can you schedule a Zoom chat with Jane once or twice a day to do your brainstorming? Send instant messages to Joe and your boss? Phone Tommy during his lunch to see what office gossip you've been missing? Be creative and stay solution oriented.
Monitor your self talk. Are your mental messages consistently negative? Keep an eye out for thoughts like, "This is awful! It stinks! I hate it! Things will never change!" Rework them into thoughts that sound more like, "I've dealt with worse things than this. It's only temporary. We'll appreciate each other more and work together better when this is over! I can find other ways to stay connected."
Find things to be grateful for. Tabby has never been so thrilled to have you at home! You can work in sweats, work at your dining room table, if you want to, and wait to brush your teeth until after lunch. During your breaks you can wash dishes or throw a load of laundry in. Stay in the moment and find wonderful things about the experience that is your day.
What would your hero do? If you don't know, what would the person you want to be do?
How do you want to feel at the end of the day? Proud of yourself that you found great ways to deal with the situation, or embarrassed and guilty that you were miserable?
Schedule time for self care. Nobody can take care of you the way you do. Make sure to block out time for the luxurious, candle-lit bath you love, or to read your favorite book, or do any activity that you love - even if it's just for 20 minutes.
Learn more about communicating with not only your co-workers, but your husband, kids, and yes, even your mother-in-law with the Super Lesson Session on Communications, Conflict, & Criticism - only $97. You'll be able to handle conflict and deflect criticism in just one lesson. See the Services Page for details.