Setting Boundaries for WF(Anywhere) amidst Covid-19

In times when Work From Home has become more widespread than previously ever imagined or forecast, I'm increasingly hearing from clients and friends on how that seems to stretch to Work from Anywhere in the house. This post is a reminder to set boundaries to bring our best selves to everything we are and do.

1. Create your Home Office space, thoughtfully - A makeshift home office is just that; it's makeshift. It's not permanent. It might seem obvious but because of unexpected and extended periods of working from home, using the dining table, the couch, your bed, the floor etc., have all become plausible options. The need for ergonomic office furniture is necessary, not optional. You may want to personalize it to better suit your tastes and design it to bring you joy, engagement, and practical efficiency. Whatever you do, ensure that this space helps you bring your best self to your work!
2. Minimize distractions - I live in India so the occasional singing of the cuckoo bird, the sounds of squirrels with their hysterical, high-pitched calling, and the whistle of the pressure-cooker preparing dinner are all normal :) But there are steps I take to minimize distractions: If I'm in a meeting on my Mac, my phone will be on Silent Mode. I turn off WiFi and keep it face-down. When I'm sharing my screen, I close tabs that I don't require. When I'm on video, I'm not distracted by my own face and instead, focus on the speaker. I strive to ensure that all home deliveries happen outside of meeting times. I don't multi-task in meetings. Period. It's disrespectful and a colossal waste of time.
3. Manage Virtual Backgrounds - It's fun to use them on Zoom but they can get uncool, very quickly :) When a speaker's face is emerging from the solar system, or hanging from the middle of the Golden Gate Bridge, or appearing in the middle of the sky or an ocean, it looks strange. It's much more appropriate to use realistic images like a library, living room, or a classroom. Choose something minimalistic and less distracting. Check if your clothing matches or clashes with the background. Remember: the most important message in the meeting is You! A virtual background is a prop. And its purpose is to enhance your brand and message; not distract!
4. (Please) Use Headphones - I'm privileged to work with clients, student partners, and peers from all over the world. One of the most delightful aspects of working globally is the opportunity to listen and absorb different accents and dialects of English. This delight quickly turns into despair if it's difficult to hear (and consequently, understand) the other person. I have found that reliable, noise-cancelling headphones truly help here. They are especially helpful if: you tend to move around in swivel chairs, shuffle from one place to another, use the meeting to get your step counter ticking, have a really pronounced accent, tend to speak very fast, etc. And given the new reality of working alongside other family members, using earbuds or headphones is a blessing - for you and for others!
5. Set Clear Boundaries - It is so easy to get out of bed, get on your phone, and start checking work mail. And you think: I'm going to respond to just these 3 emails and then shower and get started. It never ends there. Ever since my unforgettable days at Cisco, I've been working remotely. When I start my work for the day, I'm usually dressed as I would be, in office. And camera-ready. This means I don't wear pajamas or yoga pants. I don't wear shirts that I would be mortified to be seen in, if I were on camera. I sometimes eat my lunch in complete and utter silence. Or catch-up with a friend on the phone. It helps replenish my energy for the remainder of my day. At other times, I may sing or practice meditation. As a coach, I absorb so much of what's happening in my client's world that it is imperative for me to dis-connect so I may be fully present, when I re-connect.
6. Schedule "me" time - A few weeks ago, I was feeling overwhelmed and talked to my best friend and confidante (that's what siblings are!) In a schedule that was designed with tender, loving care, she had added a column: "Anithu's Me Time". Remote work is incredibly empowering. But it can also be devastatingly lonely if you don't pay attention to the things we all need: love, laughter, inclusion, quiet space, and belonging. I have infinite gratitude for the people and avenues that bring this into my life.

Before Covid-19, some people may have imagined Work from Home (WFH) as a glamorous, laptop lifestyle that only a privileged few enjoyed. Today, we know better. It's a daily grind (albeit joyful when you love what you do) just like any other way of working. And it's no longer a gift reserved for the privileged few. The global health crisis has created a shift in the way we work. What we now need is the mindset shift required to make work, work!