AdNews last year launched the WFH Diaries during the depths of the fallout from the pandemic, a way of sharing how people managed their days.
This time, with lockdown running again, we're asking for a run down on how everyone likes to start their day working from home. Some dress to impress, others slip on the t-shirt. And everyone has their own way to carve the day into manageable chunks.
Jessica Miles, Country Manager ANZ at Integral Ad Science
I’ve always been an early riser. I used to be one of those people who was up as the sun dawned, smashing out hill sprints. But, that was lockdown 2020 and before. In 2021 I’ve adopted a slower start to the day, but just as fulfilling.
The majority of mornings I wake up around the same time as my husband and we both leisurely get ready for work -- since we don’t have to rush to beat the traffic! Over breakfast and a coffee, we chat about our plans for the day.
After breakfast, I’ve taken to walking in the morning while listening to podcasts. I find it’s a gentle start to my day, slowly switching on my brain to get the thoughts flowing. I’m starting my days more mindfully and calmly compared to last year, where exercise was my lockdown go-to.
Once I return from my walk it’s usually straight onto the computer and responding to emails. So yes, that means many of my days are spent in activewear which is definitely a perk! I've always got a blazer nearby that I throw on for external meetings or presentations.
For the ANZ team, I implemented a ‘no internal meetings Mondays’ last year to enable the team to use this day to plan their week more effectively ensuring that they are starting with their best foot forward. I’ve had overwhelmingly positive feedback about this.
Another tip that I find works for me is background music! Depending on my mood that can be anything from the Spotify playlist “Peaceful Piano” through to a bit of Grime or the latest House hits.
I also block out my lunchtime to ensure I have time to take a break and cook a healthy lunch. Nothing worse than cramming in that muesli bar between meetings and feeling like you aren’t satisfied!
Finally, I try to squeeze in some yoga or pilates at the end of the day to give my body the rejuvenation it deserves from sitting in front of the computer all day. I’m trying to get more disciplined about it. I do highly recommend some form of physical activity for all the folks reading this. Work will keep pouring on the screen; however you need to create some “me time” to stay productive and avoid burnout.
I’ve set up my garage as a separate room to work from. It has been great to have that separation between work and home (complete with a wine fridge! Always handy in lockdown!). However, we live in a battleaxe property with my husband’s grandma in the front house and us in the rear house with the shared garage. I can’t say that grandma really understands what I do, so there have been plenty of times she walks in on my Zoom meetings, waving to me over the monitor to indicate a letter or package has arrived or that she can’t get her TV to work. I’ve taken to locking our garage from the inside for really important meetings, but this leads her to tap on the window to get my attention. She’s very sweet though, so all is forgiven!
My dog also disapproves of me working too late. If I’m at the computer and it hits about 7 pm he has a habit of staring at me contemptuously from across the room in order for me to move from the garage to the cozy living room. My dog is a 40kg amstaff and whilst cute, when he is staring you down it’s definitely disconcerting!
The upsides of working from home are definitely more time with family and not dealing with traffic and public transport! I also love that I can tailor my work environment to what works for me as well as the ability to block out distractions to really get some work done.
Still, I look forward to having face-time again with my team as well as with our partners and clients. Zoom is a great tool, but there’s nothing like going out to grab a coffee and sitting down with someone in person. That human element and interaction that makes it less transactional are really what I miss. In the office, I feel the team learns so much from each other through spontaneous interactions and discussions, and working from home can limit this. I feel for the younger members of our team who are missing out on this essential part of their career growth and development and for those who don’t have the ability to create a workspace separate from their home life. I encourage everyone to find one new way that helps them to navigate through this, whether setting virtual coffee meetings or defining new boundaries for their at-home work space, to keep making those connections and finding balance.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
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