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.
Katie Rigg-Smith, Mindshare Australasia CEO:
On your marks get set… GO!
My husband Chris and I joke that before my feet have hit the ground the race is on. With three little ones, Harlow (5), Coco (3) and Darcy (2) the morning is a flurry of activity - that is a nice description!
Amid the rush I try and do some yoga and pour a green tea. ‘Try’ being the operative word. The actual footage would be warrior pose with a clingy two year old wrapped around one leg and two giggling girls around the other. The green tea sits on the bench destined to get cold. But at this point in life I am holding onto the idea that ‘it’s the thought that counts’.
Daycare drop off for Coco and Darcy (at time of writing this they are still open). And then back home to prep Harlow for her day.
Harlow’s morning zoom class is by far the highlight of working from home. The Kindy kids are so excited about the world. To hear their laughter and conversation in the background just brings a little magic to the morning.
Simultaneous to Harlow’s learning I try to do my own. I’ve always tried to start my day focused on my learning agenda. I know that might sound naff but I try to protect a little bit of time each morning to learn something; be that about trends, latest technology or something that challenges my outlook on the world. Anything I think will add value to our clients or our people.
This morning my learning agenda is in the shape of a Mental Health First Aid course with my wonderful leadership team. The 2-day training is run by the fabulous Chloe Hooper and is transformative. The course has already had a profound impact and I am truly grateful for all I’ve learned about what signs to look out for and tools to help discuss mental health.
With training finished I get into the usual ‘doing’; teams calls, responding to the work, all the while interspersed with answering questions such as ‘how many sides does a circle have?’ from Harlow. (Side note: does anyone actually know? I had to Google it and even then the answers weren’t conclusive).
A nice part about work from home is getting to see Chris at lunch, albeit for about 15 minutes and we are both usually on calls but silver linings and all that. We take turns to take Harlow to the park a few doors down so she gets some activity and that in turn has been good to keep my own energy up.
As with everyone, the day goes by in a blur of meetings and video calls. Before I know it, it’s time to pick up the other two and the race continues well into the night.
I confess there’s simply no way of getting all the work done with Harlow home so when all the kids are asleep I’m back to working for a few hours, always remembering to press ‘send later’ on my emails so my team get them in work hours rather than the early hours of the morning.
I end my day with a few yoga poses I didn’t get to do earlier, and finally sip on a green tea.
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