After a year on pause, there might be some recalibration needed in order to re-enter the workplace.
As the evolution of COVID-19 begins to shift into a new chapter, there may be a huge sigh of relief. Hope springs as “future planning” begins to weave its way back into our vocabulary. But with the sigh of relief and sense of hope, there can also be some recalibration needed in order to re-enter the workplace.
Planning for the future
Here are our top 5 tips in preparing to head back to work in the office:
- Set boundaries. One of the greatest things about our time at home was the sense that our time was ours. We were able to spend more time with those that we loved (if in the same household) and focusing on some of the hobbies that we love. It is important to not slip into old habits of over-committing, rushing without a purpose, and unnecessary busywork.
- Make meetings count. Nobody wants to meet for the sake of meeting. If our Pandemic Pause taught us anything, it is that lots of tasks can be completed without a meeting. But one very important lesson we have learned is the power and importance of face-to-face camaraderie. Find the important reasons to gather your team and make them meaningful. We can learn from our time away from each other that the times we do get together should be well spent. The perfect meeting space (often outside of the office) is an important component to help fully focus on the goals at hand.
- Re-organize your workspace. Whether re-emerging to the office full time or in a hybrid model, this is a great time to re-organize your workspace. For example, by clearing the clutter, your brain can remain focused on the task at hand. Here are some great resources for re-organizing ones’ workspace.
- Reset your sleep patterns. Getting into a healthy sleep pattern that aims for 7-8 hours of sleep each night is a key to one’s health (both physically and mentally).
- Plan your meal preparation/menu in advance. One key stressor for people that have to balance work, commuting, family, and personal obligations is eating a healthy diet. Studies show that planning ahead is a great way to help relieve the stress of eating and the lure of slipping into bad eating habits (take-out and process foods). Planning meals ahead also helps with time management because you plan once versus twenty-one times individually.
