I have been working from my basement since March and I virtually attend a lot of meetings, but don't have a lot of the conversations I used to have. What tips do you have for not going stir crazy? Saving Changes...
Unless you're still required for your workday to be 8-5, take scheduled breaks throughout the day. Go for a walk. Hit the treadmill or bike. Play with your kids or dog, or both.
If your job is like mine, and you have been having meetings outside of "normal" business hours for several years, due to time zone differences and meetings, not everything you do needs done within a 9 hour window. Break things up. Just remember to include your family in your breaks so that you're not stealing time from them when you work later in the day than before. Saving Changes...
Greetings Joshua,
This is always a great topic. Personal resilience and mindfulness has been in the spotlight as a result of the pandemic and stresses it has created for many. This is because it's important, and may help with the stir crazy! Toward the informal conversation piece, I've found it helpful to regularly have phone calls with teammates, peers, and mentors, ideally with no business agenda, to stay connected. Being on Zoom meetings all day can be draining for some, and an old fashioned phone call may be refreshing. Be well! Saving Changes...
I'm sure many HR managers will jump at me for saying this - but in my opinion there is nothing wrong with occasionally shooting people non-work-related messages to check in and see how they are doing, including their family and hobbies if appropriate. If everyone is in the office there is always "watercooler chat" so doing this in a virtual environment has also been a good thing for me.
Needless to say - don't go overboard. But in my experience maintaining personal relationships is a vital part of having an open & beneficial connection with project stakeholders anyhow.
-Bob C. Saving Changes...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
What you are missing is social interaction. Its limited at work and, because of the pandemic, outside of work. The only thing left is immediate family.
That leaves me a number of options: 1: visual entertainment - screens (tv, internet including blogs, news stations, on-line special interest groups, play stations, etc), and 2) reading. A third option may be education programs - get the MBA you have dreaming about, learn how to play chess. A fourth would be a physical training program - bike, rowing machine, weights.
The key, in my opinion, is to structure your time, possibly on a two or four hour rotation. Maintain some rigidity to the program otherwise it will fall apart.
7:00 to 9:00 breakfast, family and morning work out
9:00 to 12:00 meetings and other corporate work, emails
12:00 to 2:00 lunch, family and screens (non-work)
2:00 to 6:00 meetings and other corporate work, emails
6:00 to 8:00 meal and reading, afternoon workout
8:00 to 10:00 corporate work, education
You get the drift. Saving Changes...
Alex KuczeraProject Manager| Stormtec FiltrationCanmore, Alberta, Canada
Working from home has absolutely been an adjustment! I realized during WFH that I absolutely loved having more space to myself, not having to do all of the regular same old "small talk" with everyone, but also realized that the weeks I don't socialize I feel empty.
So for myself I make sure to get on the phone with colleagues, close vendors, even clients and just hangout and talk once in awhile. We're all feeling isolated and are missing human interaction. Don't be afraid to just reach out to folks and talk person to person, keeping business out of it. For me 2-3 real conversations a week keeps me "sane". Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
I think you have to see the film Papillon. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Joshua,
there is no benefit in going stir crazy. So do not do it.
You are already aware of it. Maybe not deep enough (are there triggers that make you feel it, how does your body react, ..), so keep on watching yourself.
Then try to control emotions, holistically. E.g. for each of the triggers create another mental image/perception, exercise several times a day, measure your sleep quality (Oura), buy a smelling set of scents, meditate, ... so many ideas...
Regarding interacting with people. Look for people whom you can help, students struggling with their learning, refugees, homeless, the single mother, volunteer, .. Look out for people who need help. Giving gives back.
Community Champion
