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As the original reason for our collective “work from home” culture moves further and further back in the rearview mirror, a lot of us are returning to in-person office life. If you are in the process of transitioning back to the office, you might be re-calibrating your day with the old headaches of hustling out of the house in the morning, dressing nicely, packing a lunch, and of course commuting. We applaud your energy in making so many adjustments at once! As a bit of encouragement, in this month’s newsletter, we wanted to remind ourselves of the benefits of in-person working and share strategies for capitalizing on the opportunities being in the office can bring.

Appreciate the separation between work and home

Creating separation between home and work helps establish boundaries that, when used effectively, can lead to greater success in both areas. You might still find yourself writing a grocery list at work every now and then but going to a separate place to move through a singular to-do list gives you a better shot at locking in and finding your flow. If you say to yourself, “between 9-11am, I am only going to work on this one task”, it will be easier for you to make meaningful progress at a faster rate. 

Just remember to be protective of the time and space you spend at either location so that you get the most out of it. Here are a few tips for establishing clear and respectful boundaries between home and work: 

• Keep your calendar up to date. Especially if your office culture is to check availability through each other’s calendars, make sure you are taking more concrete action than mentally blocking off time. If navigating a complicated task, think about committing to brainstorming or problem-solving by making it a calendar entry.

• Let your communication preferences lead. If you prefer a phone call over emailing, make it known. If you want honest feedback, find a way to express that. If you need an extra minute to consider emails thoughtfully before rushing a response, share that often and widely.

• Don’t be afraid to let colleagues know your time limits. One post-pandemic hangover is that calls and emails creeped up before and after the traditional working hours. If you drive a carpool in the morning or even if you like to read the newspaper on the metro into the city let people know you can’t talk before 8:30am (or whatever time you choose). Of course, there will be emergencies and, in those cases, hopefully you can find the flexibility to be helpful to your team. But it’s also okay to say “we’re eating dinner at 7pm so I can’t talk then.” 

• Ditto for your family and friends. If you are planning to delve into a difficult project after lunch, it’s also okay to let your family and friends know that you will be unavailable during those hours.

Take advantage of the opportunity to collaborate with your colleagues

Meeting online can be awkward- maybe you have to adjust your camera often or you get distracted trying to get rid of a glare. It is much easier to come up with ideas and share relevant anecdotes face-to-face. When talking naturally you can also develop deeper relationships with your colleagues and show your authentic self whether that’s through humor or kindness. Feeling more comfortable with your colleagues will, in turn, drive faster problem-solving or meaningful brainstorming.

Even so, planning an online meeting or sending an email is still often our first impulse because it has become such a habit. Try to step away from your desk and walk down the hall when you need to ask someone a question or book a conference room for a meeting and encourage everyone to bring their coffee or lunch. Your team might appreciate you encouraging them to step out from behind their screens too.

Learn more about the professional development opportunities in your office

Now that you’ve set your boundaries and made an effort to increase your in-person interactions, make space for professional development. Look at the internal programs and volunteer opportunities your organization offers. Are there relevant conferences or events that would enhance your resume? Don’t forget about your mentor! Life can quickly get in the way of those meetings if you’re not intentional--yet your mentor can be one of the best resources for navigating the new workplace.

Establish a routine for self-care and mindfulness that you can do away from home

We sure have given you a lot of directives here! Don’t worry. You aren’t the only one stretching these muscles for the first time in a while. Keep a solid routine with the practices that bring you inner calm and peace such as practicing mindfulness, exercising during the day, packing a nutritious lunch. During the day, take an occasional break, move your body, and refocus your intentions. Padding your office hours with these moments are a way to refuel and keep perspective on your work and purpose.