Going remote: How professionals are making it work

It’s not all sunshine and roses in the remote working teams across the world. We’re now realising that, while this kind of flexibility is suitable and has benefits for adults, it comes with change and that change has a cost. 

Some people have adapted to remote working better than others. The much-shouted joke about it being an ‘introvert’s dream’ now rings false as many begin to keenly feel and appreciate how different life is with little human contact each day.

So, just how are people managing well with this new lifestyle?

Years in the making

We’ve been drifting towards a business world with this kind of flexibility for some time now. From the rising popularity of contract work and the introduction of the ‘gig economy’ via apps like Uber and Deliveroo, the world is clearly recognising and providing means for adults to work more autonomously. This is not, however, always for the better. Companies like the aforementioned have more power to give little to workers when they’re not fully employed, limiting the money they can make and leaving them with little legal protection. 

In the employment market, we’ve undeniably seen the pandemic spark a change that has been a long time coming for many worldwide. With talent shortages affecting businesses as an ever-increasing priority, novel new initiatives to improve wellbeing and retention in workplaces have become increasingly popular. With living rates skyrocketing in capitals worldwide and transport often difficult, working from home has always been a tempting solution.

Coping methods

So, we’re in a place now where most businesses are necessitated to provide full working from home. Teams have had time to adjust and make the move and there are a clear set of guidelines a professional can follow to help them stay above board mentally during what remains a challenging time for us all.

Let’s now run through a set of these to help you continue in your own remote working. These points are simple, important and powerful in their ability to keep your mental state steady.

One space:  Turning areas of the home into ‘everything spaces’ is one of the most common mistakes remote workers make. It’s undeniably tempting to keep it casual and benefit from the comfortable, homogenous life where everything’s within reach. It’s fun, for a while.

And it’ll come back to bite you in time. You are liable to become depressed to a degree and to experience feelings of lethargy. Your personal hygiene is liable to deteriorate too; you’ve not had to go out in a week, so why shower? If you needed a shave, you can simply say your camera wasn’t working that day. 

It’s an easy hall to fall down and it begins for many with a lack of boundaries around the home. To do better, start basic – and respect those boundaries. Have a place for work and don’t compromise on it.

Interaction matters: Particularly true for introverts is the tendency for adults during this pandemic to avoid digital hangouts and time spent with peers and colleagues. For many, real-life and in-person work involves social stressors people would rather avoid for their own comfort.

This is well and good, but be careful of allowing yourself to become distanced. Even if you do experience social anxiety, be mindful of the fact that wellbeing and happiness still ultimately involve other people. Fail to do this, and you are freer than before to fall further down the slippery slope of lifestyle deterioration that the pandemic has made possible suddenly for so many adults.

Best wishes!

Some thoughts on the present state of working culture as it is during this unique period in our lives. Thanks for reading from the team at Idea Financial and stay safe out there!