I know, I know. You are all just in shock that you are being gifted once more with a blog from Barb. It's my CoronaVirus gift to you all. You missed the first one? No worries, read "It's About Damn Time" here.
So knowing full well that you are all sitting around doing nothing has spurred me to action. I am like an obnoxious, attention-starved kid at a large family gathering who has finally gotten everyone's attention. I gotta strike while the attentive irons are hot.
So many of you are now being forced to work from home so I thought with my two decades of experience with this, I could pass along some true gems of knowledge as well as some best practices born from years of trial and error.
1. You're not really hungry. Just because your workspace is in close proximity to your kitchen does not mean you should be eating more. When I first starting working from home, it was like I could hear a voice summoning me to the refrigerator. Throughout the day I would find myself standing in front of the open fridge. Since I did all the grocery shopping, there were no surprises in there and yet here I stand. Am I hungry? I just ate a few hours ago. A month and five pounds later, I decided I needed a plan in place. So now I bribe myself; if I work for two hours without getting up, I reward myself with a treat.
2. You don't really have to pee again. I call this one POOB, or Peeing Out of Boredom. Yes, this is a real thing too. The problem with POOB is that once you have gotten up, there's a litany of other distractions—legit shiny objects—that will prevent you from going directly back to the office or workspace (laundry, wiping off counters, picking up, unloading the dishwasher, plucking your eyebrows, etc.). I admittedly have the attention span of a young ghat (not a mature adult ghat), so anything that takes my eye off the wheel is not good. A conflicting factor is I also have what my kids call a "kitten-sized bladder" so there is always an inner struggle: am I getting up to pee because I really need to or is it simply POOB.
So many of you are now being forced to work from home so I thought with my two decades of experience with this, I could pass along some true gems of knowledge as well as some best practices born from years of trial and error.
1. You're not really hungry. Just because your workspace is in close proximity to your kitchen does not mean you should be eating more. When I first starting working from home, it was like I could hear a voice summoning me to the refrigerator. Throughout the day I would find myself standing in front of the open fridge. Since I did all the grocery shopping, there were no surprises in there and yet here I stand. Am I hungry? I just ate a few hours ago. A month and five pounds later, I decided I needed a plan in place. So now I bribe myself; if I work for two hours without getting up, I reward myself with a treat.
2. You don't really have to pee again. I call this one POOB, or Peeing Out of Boredom. Yes, this is a real thing too. The problem with POOB is that once you have gotten up, there's a litany of other distractions—legit shiny objects—that will prevent you from going directly back to the office or workspace (laundry, wiping off counters, picking up, unloading the dishwasher, plucking your eyebrows, etc.). I admittedly have the attention span of a young ghat (not a mature adult ghat), so anything that takes my eye off the wheel is not good. A conflicting factor is I also have what my kids call a "kitten-sized bladder" so there is always an inner struggle: am I getting up to pee because I really need to or is it simply POOB.
3. Set boundaries with your kids (and spouse, if applicable). My children knew there were only two reasons to interrupt mom while she was working or even worse, on a call: unconsciousness and dangling limbs. That's it. Anything else can and will wait. My office was in the front of my house, so in the warmer weather with windows open, I could literally hear my kids a block away as they got off the bus fighting the whole walk home. I regrettably had a glass door to my office so they would come and silently plead their case or accuse their sibling of outrageous things. They would construct signs and hold them in the window, creative little shits. I can't imagine how you are all working with small kids you can't threaten to kill if they disturb you. I'm officially starting a prayer chain for you all. Stay strong.
4. Dress down. There is no dress code, folks. Work-from-home attire is all about comfort. My "schlubby chic" look is comprised mostly of hoodies and sweatpants. I have amassed quite the collection of leisurewear over the years working from home, but I must admit that probably 80% of the time I am likely wearing one of three pairs of sweatpants: two pairs of flannel-lined Athleta sweatpants or a pair so ugly my ex used to refer to them as my "birth control" pants.
When the weather first turns chilly in the fall, putting these treasured garments on is like feeling the welcome embrace of an old lover. So warm and familiar. No judgement for occasional weight fluctuations. And, bras are optional ladies so let them free. Now a disclaimer: once you've let the horses run wild, they are not going to be too happy when you strap those saddles back on again. Gravity is not your friend so wearing at least a sports bra is probably best.
The same theory applies to your waistline. So I would recommend every once in a while putting on a real pair of pants just to make sure the jello is still in the mold, so to speak. It's too late for me. I put on regular pants now and my entire lower body starts experiencing some form of claustrophobia and I feel like I'm slowly being suffocated. Same with shapewear but that's a whole other blog.
5. The mute button is your friend. If you like me spend a fair amount of time in meetings, or calls, the mute button is essential. With it you can continue to participate in work calls while also: screaming at your kids, answering the door, passing gas, eating, peeing, beating and/or petting your dogs, throwing in a load of laundry, etc. I know this because I have done ALL of these things while also on work calls. Not naming names, but I've been on calls when people forget this valuable tip and while incredibly amusing, you don't want to be this person.
6. Communicate with others. Those of you with a spouse and/or kids at home, this one will be easy lifting. For those of us who live alone, however, be sure you reach out and communicate in some form with others daily. I've spent years teaching my dogs English so I spend a lot of time talking at them. I also rely on texting, Skyping, exchanging memes on social media, and yes, even sometimes calling people to stay socially connected. My Boston-based work team has started doing weekly video meetings now that we are all WFH. My response to the initial idea was as long as it didn't impede with my religious right to observe "No Bra" Monday, I was in.
Bottom line. While I enjoy the social aspects of being in the office, my ghat-like attention span prevents me from being really productive. I think once the adjustment period is over, you will all find that you can actually be more productive and focused working from home.
Forge on soldiers, brighter, and warmer, days ahead.
Bottom line. While I enjoy the social aspects of being in the office, my ghat-like attention span prevents me from being really productive. I think once the adjustment period is over, you will all find that you can actually be more productive and focused working from home.
Forge on soldiers, brighter, and warmer, days ahead.
Yoga Update: I haven't given up! I will say that the minute I roll out my mat, my right buttock starts twitching in some type of Pavlovian response. I've enlisted Laura and we accidentally did an intermediate class this week. I was attempting this ridiculous pose where you try and balance your body with your knees on your elbows (I think they train elephants to do something similar). Anyway, I lost my balance and fell on my face. Entertaining, if nothing else.
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| Bowie sitting on my head as I was attempting yoga. |
I also struggle because every time I get on the floor, the dogs think I'm down there for them. So keeping them at bay while doing yoga makes any beginner class intermediate. I'm not giving up though. I'll keep you all posted on my progress.
Hope you all trying to stay busy and active. Would love to hear what you are doing!
Until next time. Namaste.
Barb
Missed any blogs? You can catch up with the past blogs with links below:
It's About DamnTime: Barb's First Blog
6 Tips for Working from Home
Celebrating Love Amid Dark Days
Derelict Driving and My 15 Minutes of Fame
Are We Living Through the Greatest Depression?
Why is Mother's Day a Day and Not a Week?
No-Speed Naveed and the Joys of Urban Transport
Shapewear and The Costs of Being Female
Golf, the Cruel Mistress of Summer
2021: A New Year, a New Outlook
Bidding Adieu to a Wonderful Summer
The Time Machine in the Garage
The Benefits of Being a Certain Age
There's a Sandwich in Every Beer
Remembering the Big Ass Christmas Party
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