AdNews brings the stories of those working from home (WFH) in the advertising and media industry during the coronavirus crisis.
Rebecca Lawrie is director of sales at Nine in Brisbane:
How do you deal with the silence?
In my first week of WFH, the silence was deafening. I really struggled to cope without the hustle and bustle the office created daily. It was this environment that had been my working life for over 20 years, where I learnt by listening to the conversations around me - you could brainstorm and collaborate on the fly and would get deeply involved in everyone’s lives.
By week two, I’m finding my rhythm and routine and starting to adapt.
The silence has become welcomed into my new work surroundings. Whilst not welcome forever, it’s given me some clarity and time to think and plan. It’s enabled opportunity to accomplish tasks and projects that I normally would bounce from week to week.
So, silence is welcome for the moment, but not forever.
The good of working from home?
After all the years saying “there are not enough hours in the day” or “I just don’t have time to do that” or “I’ll get to it when I have time” - well now I do.
I now have time with thanks to WFH life, conservatively it’s given me four hours back a day.
Between not having to ponder the outfit of the day, preparing my hair and make-up, school drop off, commute times and the ad-hoc social chats in the office – I now have 20 hours back in a week to spend doing the stuff that I’ve not had time for.
I now have time, with no excuses - Time to really connect with my family, time to exercise, time to do chores like washing and making the bed. Time to cook a meal and sit down at the dinning table to eat it, and time to reflect and unwind!
The bad?
I’m snacking way too much!
Tips for making WFH work?
- Keep a daily routine.
- Get Active, just taking a walk to the coffee shop in the morning gives me fresh air and a bounce in my step to set my day up.
- Stay connected. Collaboration tools are my new best friend. There is nothing like being able to see someone’s face when you talk to them. Microsoft Teams is my saviour.
- Set your alarm throughout the day, so you get up and take a break.
- Change your workspace. I move around the house from the dining room, kitchen bench and lounge and even pop outside to work.
I am looking forward to getting back to the office because ...
I miss the team, I miss seeing them in person. I just want to give them all a big hug!
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