PadawanOfHappiness

When I began working from home one of the hardest things to adjust too was one of the things that I loved most about working from home:  I did not have a commute.  That commute did a lot for me even though I did not like it.  It helped mark the time, week day vrs weekend day and facilitated mindset transitions, which I believe help mange the idea of burn out. The Morning Commute Yes, I really did not like the commute because I saw it as a waste of time and generally a frustrating experience.  It had its good moments, I was able to call friends and family during the commute time and that is an obvious good point.  However, I overlooked how much I mentally prepared myself for work during that commute.  I don't mean a gird my loins I will get through it mindset but more going over what I knew I needed to do, what I wanted to do, it was simply an exercise that I didn't realize I did until I was no longer doing it. When I began working from home I would walk a f...

I have found that to work well, I need a space that is set up to actually allow me to do my work. And yes, that does mean that part of that set up helps me to minimize distractions. And over the course of the past 2+ years my workspace has changed, morphed, and transitioned as my needs changed. The most dangerous phrase in the language is, "We've always done it this way." Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, computer programming pioneer   Just because something worked at one time does not mean that it will always work. Last year brought on some additional challenges that were not previously in play so that required the biggest change in my work space. As I was brain storming ways to make my workspace work for me I kept thinking about something my Dad has told me often. 'Using the right tool for the job makes the job easier.’ One previous work space  The set up below is one that I hav...

This may not be a popular topic but when I look at the experiences that I have had from working from home before and during the pandemic, combined with the experiences my kids had doing remote learning during the pandemic, I will whole heartily recommend getting dressed every work/school day. Before anyone panics, please read this.  I will tell you right now that I am not advocating doing a full face of make up and fancy hair style, business dress (i.e. suit and tie or female equivalent) unless you are comfortable doing that. For full disclosure I have never been one to do my make up on most days, just special occasion days or when the mood struck me.  I don't see that as necessary to presenting a professional business image. What I do mean, is get out of your pjs, workout gear, yoga pants, etc.  Get dressed in something that would qualify as business casual there is a lot of that out there and more than likely you have been wearing it to your office at least one day a we...

As I am writing this mini series, I am having fun going back and looking at articles and posts that have helped me in the past.  One benefit I am getting by writing this mini series is that it helps me renew my focus and make tweaks to my current situation so that I don't become too comfortable. Earlier this week I wrote about keeping a schedule and I just rediscovered this article from Laura Vanderkam talking about a 50-50 split for a 30 hour work week .  As I re-read it there were certain points that still resonated with me, there were some points that now seem more reasonable.  Revisiting things can be a great way to help you make tweaks to your schedule because life changes and your schedules should too.  They don't have to be huge changes, but making small changes can make a big impact. I love the creativity with the way that Ms. Vanderkam has created that schedule, but I am not a huge fan of doing my work outside of what I consider traditional working hours....

I effectively have been working from home since 2017, even though not all of that time was spent working.  Part of that time I was completing my second degree online from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. To really succeed at creating a balance between your work life and your home life when you don't have to leave your home to work is something that many consider a dirty word. SCHEDULE I am well aware that not everyone finds a schedule brings them joy like they bring me, but just because something doesn't bring you joy doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.   Just keep in mind if you are not a lover of schedules, you probably have them and keep them already, and you don't need to have an overly detailed schedule if that makes you break out in hives.  Think of this schedule as guardrails, while they are sturdy they can change as necessary. Ultimately you have to find something that works for you and that means being honest with yourself when you create your schedule...