2020 Fall Issue

Realizing the potential of work from home – A new mindset for a shifting worklife balance

by jennifer schofield

5 Min read

I would never have asked for it happen this way, but the pandemic continues to change the landscape of workplace and the way we work together. As WFH has become a new norm for many businesses, with some making the option permanent, traditional 9 to 5, bums-in-seats operations are in rapid decline. Many tech and engineering firms are used to operating together remotely, other industries less so. And as these changes become widespread I am already seeing the impacts on the humans, those sometimes irrational, emotional, and social beings who do the work and then talk about it in my office.

Under a surface storm of change there may be deeper philosophical shifts impacting each of us. The pandemic has threatened financial stability of so many. You may have shelter and food now but the suffering comes in the form of deep fears of scarcity that keep many awake at night. It has also awakened another human drive, not a fear, but a longing for the freedom to shape our own lives. With a more emotionally intelligent understanding, and a mindset of growth and possibility, companies and individuals can take advantage the changes to create a new worklife balance.

Changing workplace relationships

A client of mine reported an increase of email tension at his workplace after the team closed the office. Working alone in his condo, in the dark hours he brooded on the subtexts of meaning in a couple of curt emails from a previously trusted coworker. They had been working together efficiently. A lack of meaningful contact can create a disconnection that allows resentments or insecurities to fester. These are made worse by the absence of face to face contact, and social cues which would normally clear them up.

This is a good time for attention to team relationship building and process. As employees are no longer working near each other, the nature of the synchronistic meetings may change. Those meetings will become vital to meeting social needs and replace the connections that come with sharing a bathroom or workplace kitchen.

Possibly the most immediate and concerning impact of WFH especially during the pandemic is social isolation and loneliness. Single workers who live alone with demanding work lives may be setting themselves up this winter. The workplace is an important source of social contact. It feeds our sense of connection, of belonging, of role and identity. We are impacted by the presence of all the people around us from custodians, security guards, coffee shop staff, to customers, clients, and random pedestrians. These daily interactions support mental health by grounding us. They help us to feel safe in the world.

Companies will need to understand these social needs as workplace environments change, especially those that demand long work hours with few meaningful social interactions among coworkers.

No more commute stress and location autonomy
For some, not only in transportation time is freed up, but also considerable time spent dressing, preparing, and winding down from travel.

Time autonomy

Employees can more often do their work tasks on their own schedule. Even with some synchronized activity, we have more freedom over our own time and when we work. This is where a big attitudinal shift and adjustment is to be expected. There is enormous potential for people to create the perfect work/life balance. Freedom of time is powerful. But without organized purpose and self motivation, the day can fill itself with distractions and avoidance. Certain brains are less adept to managing distractions and perhaps working from home in general. Time management will be less strictly dictated by employers. Workers will need to generate their own self management – enjoying new levels of both freedom and responsibility.

Boundaries
In a rapidly changing work world we each must find our own understanding of the complex inter relationships of money, work, and time.

Those who hung onto their jobs during the pandemic are the fortunate ones, and employers know it. Many industries have seen terminations and layoffs. The remaining workforce is often saddled with the extra workload as well as the fear that they could be next. Change is a recipe for stress and corporate restructures can send some employees into crisis mode. They have shown up in my office for years often asking about short term leaves. I have been called to provide on-site critical incident support following dramatic workplace changes like restructuring. Why? Because employees get shaken up when you turn their work world upside down.

Part 2

In counselling sessions with clients we work on the obvious self-care steps that will improve the stress response. Those are important, but even more key to navigating any change is your attitude towards it.

Key ideas for a mindset to navigate change

Radical acceptance

When you are at the top of a steep ski hill about to push off what do you say to yourself? “I wish things were the way they used to be…” Radical acceptance is needed to clearly see reality and how steep the hill is, what the conditions are etc. It means letting go of what is “supposed to be” and engaging with what is actually happening.

Know yourself and be yourself.

This means to identify what you have to offer the world. If you were free to be your best self, what would we get? Somewhere in the world there is place where your work is needed and needed just the way you bring it. Instead of impressing others, think contributing effectively.

Compassion for yourself and others

After you put your own life preserver on, it’s time to help others. This is how we all stay afloat together. Compassion for others is is the antidote to fear. It builds confidence, is connected to purpose, motivation, perseverance and plenty more.

Be your own boss

And have your own back at any career stage, in every moment. You are not owned by your employer. You are choosing right now to enter in a temporary, work contract. You can end this business relationship any time.

Avoid dependency

It is your responsibility to take care of your own career development such as pursuing learning interests, credentials. It means networking and building relationships of all kinds in your field. Consider creating a side business in your field as a safety net. Investing time laying groundwork while you are employed can pay off later.

Knowing your own working identity and brand

Which may be different than the current job title. Be your best self, communicate it and this will attract the collaborators who like and value what you bring.

Schedule according to your values and purpose

Before you start your to-do list, write a list of values that are important to you living the life you want and that give your life meaning. Circle the important ones, play around with the list.

For example – marriage, parenthood, providing, healthy body, friendships, financial health, nice home, duty, professional development, cultural traditions, travel, extended family bonds, intimacy, hobbies, worship, arts, sports, volunteering, good nutrition and more

Now reorganize the list – circle the most important things. Are you spending your life time and energy on what is most important to you?

Many people seem to build their careers by looking for what employers want and then jumping through every possible hoop to be that. Perhaps we are all trained to try to impress, to please others. We climb ladders because the steps are there – but was it what we wanted? For work to be satisfying it needs to be connected to our life’s purpose and values.

It is an awakening of sorts to start living in your own life, instead of almost living the life that others expect of you. With the shifting work world the opportunity to do this has just opened even more.

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2020 fall issue

by jennifer schofield

5 Min read

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