The Challenges of Working Remotely
Working Remotely under these disruptive conditions is not the same as our familiar Working from home.
It appears to be a true challenge in many different levels. On the one hand, we are trying to continue our business activity in the most productive way & on the other hand, to balance our professional, personal & family time is becoming a major issue that concerns all of us.
We recognize that each one of us is different, experiences these conditions in a different way and has his/her own pace. It is important to have the freedom to manage our time during these new conditions in the way it suits us better.
For some, this might mean to start the business day a bit later or even to extend it, especially if in the meantime you need to give time to a personal or family need or if you are dealing with a business emergency. Others might prefer to stick to their regular working hours. These conditions we are dealing, require flexibility and at the same time focus on the work of ours and our colleagues’ and, more than ever, respect for the time of both sides.
If you feel that :
- You work longer hours?
- You are constantly alert and it is very hard to relax?
- You are having a hard timing keeping up with a schedule and your business day has no end and beginning?
- Colleagues are calling you right when you need to focus on family or personal matters?
follow below simple advices that will help you better manage everyday life.
Set a schedule and stick to it
Being aware of when you are going to start your working day and when to stop it, is the key to work life balance.
One of the benefits of remote working is the flexibility; just remind yourself that working from home does not mean that you are available all the time & try to kindly remind it to your co-workers as well, if needed – except for urgent cases.
Do not forget the breaks
Just as when you were at the office, do the same when at home. Experts recommend getting up from our chair every 90 minutes to maintain our efficiency at high levels.
Rejuvenate Your Personal Time
Calm down and relax! There are numerous suggestions... just after you shut your pc down!
Play with your kids (if you have), play with your partner (board games are addictive), read a book, stretch-out at the corridor, unfold your cooking talent, listen to your favorite music, watch a movie, watch a play (excellent theater suggestions are available online), unpack your summer-season clothes (be optimistic - we'll go out, again), walk around your square (just remember to prepare the B form and take your ID with you).
It is really important to openly discuss within your teams the challenges of teleworking, so together you can formulate the conditions that will allow us to respond to Papastratos' priorities and, at the same time, meet our personal/family needs.
Thank you in advance for your attention on this important and sensitive topic.
George Partsakoulakis / P&C