The older I get, the more I understand the associative thinking that led my parents to apply song lyrics to any situation. Back in the day, I’d be telling my mom about my schoolwork, and she’d finish my sentence with a Sam Cooke lyric about her lack of historical knowledge. Drove me nuts then, but I’m getting it these days, especially with my own musical era to draw upon. Like, if you recognized the title of this blog as paraphrasing Sheena Easton’s Top 40 hit “Morning Train (9 to 5),” you probably know where I’m coming from.
Isolating during this pandemic seems to bring out my associative strain even more. I take this situation very seriously, and at the same time, I need to amuse myself—and you as well, I hope—with some ruminations and tips on work in the time of COVID-19. Right now, you may be looking for ways both to soothe your anxiety while simultaneously motivating yourself to carry on with work you need to complete.
Music has a unique ability to help you achieve both states. While you’re trying to socially distance and shelter in place, consider some wisdom loosely associated with musical sages, ’80s style.
Hold on Loosely (But Don’t Let Go)
If you’re fortunate to work from home, you’re still probably contending with numerous issues. You need:
Equipment like smartphones, tablets, webcams, and laptops.
A place to charge and use your equipment.
Software for connecting to your teammates and superiors.
A reliable internet connection.
You may also struggle with new “officemates” who don’t quite have business etiquette down (like screaming “Dad!” when you’re in a conference call). But to paraphrase .38 Special, you’ll lose control if you cling too tightly … to how your work process functions when you’re physically at your place of business. Consider what you must have to do your job competently versus what you want to have.
You Say Go Slow, I Fall Behind
For example, if you’re used to having a large block of quiet, uninterrupted time to complete a project, you may discover that with two, three, or more people with competing interests sharing space, your large block is an unrealistic time frame.
This is where .38 Special advises not letting go—that is, don’t give up on doing your project well, just adjust your time expectations. Consider creating a list detailing the parts of your project. What can you accomplish in 10 minutes? 15 minutes? 30 minutes?
Almost everyone can occupy themselves for those amounts of time (with a little goading and reinforcement), giving you space to accomplish your goals. Your drum may feel like it’s beating out of time at first, but with practice, you’ll find your rhythm—and you may even become more focused and productive knowing you have to spend each moment carefully.
Who Can It Be Now?
Boundaries are another key factor in your loose hold/don’t let go dynamic. You can set parameters for yourself and others in several ways, including:
Keep regular and specific working hours. (Because, you know, time is like a clock of the heart.) If necessary, set alarms to help you keep within your time limits.
Create a morning routine. (BEFORE all of their frustrations come beating on your door…) Analyze your usual morning routine and look for ways to adjust it to your new work space. Little or no commute may mean more time for sleep or to help others in your household set up for their days.
Set ground rules with your household. (It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right, just beat it… beat it!) Given the circumstances, you may have to set up your home office anywhere it will fit, so it’s especially important to communicate with family members about appropriate interruptions (someone is bleeding) versus time-stealing (let me tell you what I just read on the internet). Maintain a consistent work space and make sure everyone understands when they should let you know what’s going on and when they should stay away.
Schedule and actually take your breaks. (I’m takin’ what they given ‘cuz I’m workin’ for a livin'!)If you typically take lunch and two smaller breaks while in the office, maintain or start that routine at home. Don’t short yourself on this time, either—but do encourage other people in your space to address their needs during break times. Knowing they can reach you at set points throughout the day can help cut down on interruptions.
Exercise. (I’m walkin’ on sunshine… and don’t it feel good?!?) Whether it’s during a break or before or after work, take a few moments to get outside if you’re able or exercise indoors. You won’t be moving as much working from home as you usually do going into work, so it’s important to commit to some form of aerobic activity to boost your energy and improve your mindset.
Communicate. (Shout! Shout! Let it all out…) Take some time each day to check in with colleagues using email, instant messaging, or video chat. It’s important to maintain connections for sharing information and for social interaction. At home, be sure to let everyone know when you will be in meetings or other events that require your full attention. Consider using a shared calendar or whiteboard so everyone can see it easily.
I’m Still Standing (Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)
COVID-19 has interfered with so much of our daily lives, but our resilience and resourcefulness will help us endure. One last tip for these anxious times is to look for silver linings. Consider sharing a daily reason with your new officemates about why you’re grateful for their presence in this time of enforced intimacy. Finding joy in a tough situation can lift everyone’s spirits. Getting their feedback in return may spur cooperation and innovation as you learn to better navigate staying home together. And if that doesn’t work, blast some ’80s music. You can dance if you want to.