WFH: How to keep your cool and your kids.
So, you’re working from home now? With kids?
At Frank & Earnest, we’ve been doing this working from home thing since day dot. I’m not going to lie; this stuff is hard and 11/10 times it makes me want to cry. Especially, when the number one rule goes out the window. Never work when you’re parenting.
I’ve been doing this dance (kids and all) for even longer than I’ve been Frank, and I think I actually have some solid advice to offer. So, if you’re looking for a few tips on how to remain productive with chaos now on your doorstep, perhaps there’s something in here for you.
Plan your day
You don’t need to scribe in gold foil pen on your leather-bound best, a simple notebook or post-it (try not to lose those) will do– just jot down a list of the things that need to get done today and the things you want to get done so you can feel like you’re winning. Don’t get too specific as you’ll bore yourself with details or walk away in a panic. But do get realistic about time and edit that list. When you’ve settled on the right combo of tasks for your time, you my friend have yourself a plan.
Make your bed in the morning
I don’t want to sound like your mother but there is much ado about the correlation between making your bed every day and greater productivity. Often, it’s the little things that have the biggest impact. It doesn’t need to make the cover of Home Beautiful but it does need to happen if you want to give yourself an easy early morning win that will set you up for a happier day, and a peaceful retreat should the day turn to crap at any point.
Try to establish daily routines or rituals
Full disclosure, I am much more of a ‘see how I feel today’ kind of person than your average routine-loving freak. But I am also a little prone to feeling the overwhelm and find that locking in some simple non-negotiables is the quickest way to keep me on track. You might start as simple as lemon-water to start your day*, then once you’ve mastered one ritual, you’ll soon be able to add another and before you know it you’re sipping the good stuff, walking with your kids before work/school starts, having a coffee break with the sun on your face, stretching every hour and stuffing the in-between time with highly productive work effort.
* I say lemon-water but I’m personally not a fan. I’m just tipping you’re more health conscious than I am.
Work when it works best for you
I’ve tried to join the 5am Club many times over the years but it’s just not my jam. What I do know is if I can nab a few hours later at night when everyone is sleeping, I can conquer the world from my work chair. You just have to know when you’re at your best and when you can get the ‘space’ to focus. Right now, it may not mean normal business hours. In our house, my husband is doing the early bird thing with his work so I can put in a few hours in the afternoon and late at night when it’s nice and quiet. Works for me and him but committing the time is key.
Treat your work like you’re in the office
Relax, I don’t mean the full suit and game face. At Frank & Earnest, we tend to keep things casual when it comes to dressing for work anyway, only really dressing up for ‘proper’ in person meetings. But it is important to keep a work routine. Usually that means starting with coffee from a favourite café (thanks Trail Street for the many, many days you have propped us up) and a quick catch up on my favourite work-related blogs or podcasts before I’m officially ‘in the office’ and cracking on with the plan for the day. And once you step into that office, it’s work only until the day is done. Yes, normal coffee/breaks are OK but there’s no doing the dishes or laundry at work. Besides, your new little co-workers are more than likely akin to farmyard animals and picking up after them is a slippery slope.
Create a dedicated workspace
Boundaries, boundaries – metaphorically and physically. I cannot stress enough how important it is, particularly when we’re all on top of one another while we’re COVID coping, to have a space of your own for your work. If it’s an office, close the door. If it’s your bedroom, same (and don’t get too comfy on your bed). If it’s a corner of a shared space – find yourself a pair of noise cancelling headphones and get in the zone. Whatever you do, do not let them in unless there’s fire or blood. Definitely let them in if there’s both.
Have your downtime and go easy on social media
The problem with working from home is that it’s all too easy to just quickly shoot off another email, or check in on campaign or client etc. You have to set very clear times for working and when you ‘clock off’, do not return to the desk or the phone (unless its for social/family purposes). And while we’re at it, try to put some structure around the way you consume social media. It’s really tempting to check in more often right now as things are so uncertain but before long, you’ll be falling down the rabbit hole along with all your creativity and productivity.
Lower your expectations and be kind to yourself (and your kids)
FYI – everything your kids do takes longer than you think and everything you do takes longer with kids. Despite all the boundaries and best intentions, you will be interrupted, and you will be distracted. There is no perfect way to do this and no one-size fits all. The best you can do is try your best and go easy on yourself when things go pear-shaped. And if your clients and colleagues are lucky enough to be caught up a family situation, don’t panic – believe it not we are all just people and having children does not make you any less professional or competent – no matter how chaotic it may appear. In fact, juggling the many balls in the air right now it may just be your superpower!
Hang in there
There’s a lot of noise being made right now about pivoting, innovating and seizing new opportunities. And while creativity can abound in the most challenging situations, it’s OK to just keep it simple. This stuff is hard. It can be exhausting, and these are uncertain times. But remember you’re not alone. Everyone is trying to find their feet in the new normal. Rest assured, tomorrow is another day and one day soon everything else will bend back into shape – whatever that shape may take. In the meantime, just think of each day as a new adventure (or misadventure).
Bel