Where we work. How we work.
I made the decision to take my company virtual out of necessity. I had just moved to London with my new husband and I literally had to work remote - everyone else was in New York City. I wasn’t sure how this was going to work for me, and in those days there wasn’t a great video option. We were using Skype, and I can assure you that was a real bummer. For the first few years we were still doing your standard conference call to stay connected.
I first heard about Zoom from an associate who was based in Silicon Valley. He let me know that everyone in that part of the world was now using this new platform to connect through video. I tried it, I thought it was better than Skype, but still didn’t need it as much. We were still relying on old-fashioned conference calls. I did get myself a subscription to Zoom, literally a week before COVID-19 hit in earnest. I was so glad that I had it in place. By this point, my entire company was virtual. I had closed my office and everyone worked from home. It helped that our biggest client was also virtual.
Going virtual saved my employees time - they didn’t have to commute to the office. It also gave them a bit more flexibility. Going virtual saved me a lot of money in rental fees, office supplies, you name it. Even though I reimburse my employees for their office needs, I still end up spending less money. We do, however, miss the face-to-face experience, that in-person time can be a progenitor of such great ideas. But we’ve gotten used to brainstorming on video, and we make a point of getting together in person multiple times throughout the year. It’s also awesome to see a client in real life. There’s really nothing to replace the human experience. No matter what anyone says.
So, now we all work from home. I’ve put my Zoom on the “enhance my appearance” mode, I blur the background, and feel really good about not using my video any time I don’t feel screen-ready. I’ve noticed that many people are opting out of being on screen, and using zoom as a conference call method. Zoom fatigue is real. I totally get sick of seeing myself day in and out.
Since I’ve been working from home for almost 10 years, I’ve got a few best practices up my sleeve. I thought it would be fun to share them here.
This is going to sound a little obvious and even a little silly, but I make sure to get dressed every morning if I can. Some mornings I’m running in from a workout, and I’ve got a call and I haven’t had a chance to shower, but I try to present myself appropriately from the waist up. However, I do my best to make the effort to get fully dressed every day. I find it helps with my productivity. Pro Tip: Lipstick is the new power jacket. To make it easy, I’ve changed my wardrobe so it’s super comfortable.
I’m a pretty driven personality, so getting work done is not a problem. I have much more trouble stopping work. My computer and my phone can become a huge lure for me. So, I do my best to make office hours that work for my business and help me create some balance in the day. It’s not always easy, but I do my best.
Back in the days of the office, we were always encouraged to not eat our lunch at our desks. Now, I try to get away from my desk, even at home, to enjoy my lunch. I need that separation from my work and a chance for me to just have a mental break.
Each day I also make sure that I take a break and stroll around my apartment. Admittedly, I have an amazing view, so it’s a nice distraction to get up and go to the window to see what kind of aquatic life I might find in the waters below. But no matter where you live, getting up from your desk and changing your view is critical. It’s so easy to just sit there working.
Exercise does matter! You don’t have to be the most high-energy gym lady ever, you just need to move. I am a big walker, so I make sure to walk 1 to 1.5 hours a day. Getting outside helps me get perspective. However it works for you, make sure you get your blood moving.
I like to have a natural end of the day, something to look forward to. My husband loves it when I make dinner – and I love it too. At least to know when I’m getting in my food. I see the end of the day as a chance to grab one of my new favorite non-alcoholic beverages and make dinner while listening to one of our favorite British shows. My husband and I will do a little debrief over dinner and settle in for a relaxing evening.