Thanks to technology, many people are able to work anywhere, anytime. And thanks to COVID-19, the shift to remote work has accelerated dramatically. A 2020 report from McKinsey & Company asserts that hybrid work models are likely to persist even after the pandemic wanes, and an additional survey from Upwork projects that the number of people working remotely will increase 87% by 2025 from pre-pandemic levels. As working from home is normalized, unplugging is more important than ever.
We Could Not Work ... but We Do
Although some of us are lucky enough to work around the corner from our bedroom, those of us who still commute to work spend an average of 27.6 minutes doing so — and that's just one way. Personally, I used to commute three hours a day. I'd walk to the train station, get on the train, walk from the train station to my office, and then turn around and do it all over again at night.
A switch to remote, however, means you're not spending hours trapped in a car, subway or train. You have more free time ... in theory.
Many people aren't using that extra time to read, hike or do something fun. They're just filling it with work — averaging 48.5 more minutes a day. I found that this was the case for me, too, with work gobbling up my normal three hours of commute time. This could be happening for a host of reasons, such as the fact that remote settings make it harder to draw boundaries and clock out. Additionally, you might feel more pressure to stay visible and prove your value if you're not physically in the office. Whatever the root causes, my own experience and research confirm that remote setups can mean more time on the clock. That extra time, in turn, increases your risk of mental and physical burnout.
The Chance to Figure Out Preferences and Be Happier
Despite the heightened risk that remote work can bring, sometimes getting out of the office can make people realize what really works for them. An executive on our team, for instance, recognized that he completely preferred working from home. However, under regular circumstances, his role is one that requires frequent travel and being in-office at least some of the time. As we began shifting back to normal, he understood that being remote full-time was no longer an option. So, he left. COVID-19 gave him an opportunity to reassess his life, and ultimately, he wanted the change to be permanent.
Should I have expected my executive to put up with what he hated for the good of my company? Not at all. His preferences and dreams matter, too. And in the long run, it's better that people have the opportunity to figure out what works, because if people aren't really happy or engaged as they work face-to-face with you, then they're not going to be productive and represent you well anyway.
How to Avoid Becoming Too Fried While Working Remotely
Some workers, like my colleague, might decide the remote life really is the best life. You might not have a choice about where to be, though, depending on your company niche and what the COVID-19 circumstances currently are. You could still be in the middle of testing yourself and making a final call, too. Either way, be proactive about protecting yourself.
• Set clear expectations about your availability, and follow through. If you and others know what the boundaries are, it's easier to enforce them. Do what you say you will with your time so you don't send mixed messages. If you schedule time off, for instance, then actually stay out of the office during that block.
• Get an accountability buddy. This doesn't have to be somebody on your team — it can be anyone who will check in on you and hold you accountable.
• Reward yourself. Reasonable rewards give you something to look forward to and can motivate you to keep going even when things are ... blah. Whether it's a nice coffee or a European vacation, dangle some plump carrots for yourself.
Start With the Basics, Then Build Your Way Up and Make It Your Own
Remote work offers flexibility that didn't exist before, which many people find to exactly suit their preferred lifestyle. But, it's not without its risk. People who prefer a remote setup should still have some guardrails in place to avoid burnout. If you're not in the office, set clear expectations, get yourself an accountability buddy, and set up some rewards you'll enjoy. You can create additional habits that work for you, but these are some great cornerstones to get you started.
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November 08, 2021 at 07:52PM
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The Importance of Unplugging in a Remote-Work World - Newsweek
"work" - Google News
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