1 00:00:04,085 --> 00:00:05,852 Hey everybody, I would like to welcome up Candiace Williams. 2 00:00:05,852 --> 00:00:11,251 Candiace is a Louisiana native but grew up in the city of Decatur, Georgia. 3 00:00:11,251 --> 00:00:13,526 Before joining MailChimp, 4 00:00:13,526 --> 00:00:18,651 her career focused specifically in nonprofit organizations. 5 00:00:18,651 --> 00:00:23,593 Should joined admin operations with the Boys and Girls Clubs and the YMCA, 6 00:00:23,593 --> 00:00:26,974 then moved to marketing at the American Red Cross. 7 00:00:26,974 --> 00:00:31,020 Candiace received a degree in business administration from 8 00:00:31,020 --> 00:00:35,859 Georgia State University and a tech degree in UX design from Treehouse, 9 00:00:35,859 --> 00:00:38,651 please give her a big Treehouse welcome. 10 00:00:38,651 --> 00:00:41,399 >> All right, so let's get it going. 11 00:00:41,399 --> 00:00:43,100 So again, I'm Candiace. 12 00:00:43,100 --> 00:00:48,863 I'm here to talk to you guys about how to work from home effectively. 13 00:00:48,863 --> 00:00:50,353 A simple topic, but 14 00:00:50,353 --> 00:00:55,633 definitely something that I think people are absolutely doing wrong. 15 00:00:55,633 --> 00:00:59,473 Just kind of digging into some information, 16 00:00:59,473 --> 00:01:03,321 I kinda find out I'm doing something wrong. 17 00:01:03,321 --> 00:01:07,163 So to remedy that, I'm gonna go over some tips and 18 00:01:07,163 --> 00:01:11,662 tricks that will help you to successfully work from home. 19 00:01:13,622 --> 00:01:18,240 So right now, working from home is a big thing for 20 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:22,985 everybody given the global economic situation. 21 00:01:22,985 --> 00:01:26,203 So it seems like you live at work and 22 00:01:26,203 --> 00:01:31,983 you steps from your office and it's all one big jumbled mess. 23 00:01:31,983 --> 00:01:38,612 And It's hard to kind of balance the work and life when every everyone now is home. 24 00:01:38,612 --> 00:01:45,449 But I'm here to rest assure you that working from home can be super beneficial. 25 00:01:45,449 --> 00:01:49,969 And in today's workforce, especially when we're shifting and 26 00:01:49,969 --> 00:01:52,105 we're learning new ways, and 27 00:01:52,105 --> 00:01:57,798 we're realizing that you don't have to be in office to be effective to do things. 28 00:01:57,798 --> 00:02:02,503 So, here's some tips that we're gonna go over. 29 00:02:02,503 --> 00:02:07,029 Create an area dedicated for work, set your schedule and 30 00:02:07,029 --> 00:02:12,235 boundaries, communicate and use your notification settings. 31 00:02:12,235 --> 00:02:16,033 So by mastering these techniques, 32 00:02:16,033 --> 00:02:20,975 you can be a sure fire or work from home expert. 33 00:02:20,975 --> 00:02:25,108 So making working from home work for you. 34 00:02:26,508 --> 00:02:27,484 Now what do you need? 35 00:02:27,484 --> 00:02:34,889 So everyone doesn't have the options to have a extra room just for an office. 36 00:02:34,889 --> 00:02:39,183 I don't, I have a little corner dedicated, but I have a desk, 37 00:02:39,183 --> 00:02:42,667 a good chair, proper lighting, good Internet and 38 00:02:42,667 --> 00:02:47,468 some other equipment to make working from home successful and ideal. 39 00:02:47,468 --> 00:02:52,556 So creating that space kinda gets you in that mental place that, 40 00:02:52,556 --> 00:02:58,128 I'm in this space, I'm here to do a job, I'm here to be productive. 41 00:02:58,128 --> 00:03:03,295 And so that's why kinda creating an area even if it's the kitchen table where you 42 00:03:03,295 --> 00:03:08,235 can pack up and move things if you don't have another place to have an office or 43 00:03:08,235 --> 00:03:09,303 a desk or chair. 44 00:03:09,303 --> 00:03:14,417 But even just a space that you can dedicate to work will be super effective, 45 00:03:14,417 --> 00:03:17,761 super helpful to getting things accomplished. 46 00:03:17,761 --> 00:03:21,011 Listen to your body, make sure you have a good chair, 47 00:03:21,011 --> 00:03:24,201 you wanna have things that ergonomically correct. 48 00:03:24,201 --> 00:03:29,390 So you want to have a desk with a good height, a good chair to support your back. 49 00:03:29,390 --> 00:03:31,076 You wanna get up often and frequently. 50 00:03:31,076 --> 00:03:35,802 I know sometimes there are days when it seems like I'm on Zoom 51 00:03:35,802 --> 00:03:40,819 after Zoom after Zoom and I don't necessarily get a good break. 52 00:03:40,819 --> 00:03:45,248 But I will get up to stretch, kinda let the dog out the back door, 53 00:03:45,248 --> 00:03:48,134 grab some water, take a restroom break. 54 00:03:48,134 --> 00:03:51,307 But on those days, I'm kinda prepared, 55 00:03:51,307 --> 00:03:57,031 I kinda get things kinda lined up, so I know what's going on in the future. 56 00:03:57,031 --> 00:04:01,984 So I have everything ready to go because it's gonna be one of those kinda days. 57 00:04:01,984 --> 00:04:07,366 Making a small adjustment like just getting up, will reset your posture 58 00:04:07,366 --> 00:04:13,119 because after you're sitting for a long amount of time, you tend to slouch. 59 00:04:13,119 --> 00:04:16,760 And after eight hours a day, if not longer, 60 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:21,697 sitting in a chair, it could be really harmful to the body. 61 00:04:21,697 --> 00:04:25,668 So make sure you got a good disk and good chair. 62 00:04:25,668 --> 00:04:31,762 Proper lighting, proper lighting is gonna be key to being productive in my opinion. 63 00:04:31,762 --> 00:04:35,384 There are some days when I don't have Zoom meetings and 64 00:04:35,384 --> 00:04:39,740 I may not have the lighting on, I may not really be fully dressed. 65 00:04:39,740 --> 00:04:43,572 But really working ain't saying checking Slack and messages and 66 00:04:43,572 --> 00:04:45,322 things like that that works. 67 00:04:45,322 --> 00:04:50,003 But when it's time for me to actually sit down and be super productive and 68 00:04:50,003 --> 00:04:55,560 get things done, I'm turning the lights on, I'm getting that good natural light. 69 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:59,387 Getting in a mode to where I know that I need to work and 70 00:04:59,387 --> 00:05:05,580 I know that the proper lighting can just affect your mood and overall productivity. 71 00:05:05,580 --> 00:05:07,294 So lighting is great, 72 00:05:07,294 --> 00:05:11,998 make sure you have somewhere where you can sit with the light. 73 00:05:11,998 --> 00:05:16,079 And when you're taking those Zoom calls, turn on your camera, 74 00:05:16,079 --> 00:05:20,401 like Michelle said before, it does create that human connection. 75 00:05:20,401 --> 00:05:25,487 It does create those moments that aren't so dull and low and you can read and 76 00:05:25,487 --> 00:05:30,756 feel what a person is saying just from their facial expressions and gesture. 77 00:05:30,756 --> 00:05:33,817 And also don't sit with your back to lighting because 78 00:05:33,817 --> 00:05:35,458 it creates an awful shadow. 79 00:05:35,458 --> 00:05:41,188 And no one ever can see you sitting with your back to the window because the glare, 80 00:05:41,188 --> 00:05:42,289 the lighting. 81 00:05:42,289 --> 00:05:47,016 So if you're wanting to have that natural light, sit in front of the light and 82 00:05:47,016 --> 00:05:50,821 it'll kinda illuminate much better than sitting behind it. 83 00:05:50,821 --> 00:05:57,150 And then having good Internet and other equipment. 84 00:05:57,150 --> 00:05:59,174 I mean, I love my mouse. 85 00:05:59,174 --> 00:06:02,447 [LAUGH] I have a keyboard. 86 00:06:02,447 --> 00:06:03,472 I have a laptop stand. 87 00:06:03,472 --> 00:06:05,587 I have a second monitor. 88 00:06:05,587 --> 00:06:10,439 I have although all those extra things to just help me be more productive. 89 00:06:10,439 --> 00:06:15,278 My days kinda look at a lot of different things at one time. 90 00:06:15,278 --> 00:06:21,087 So having that extra monitor, having that second set of screens to kinda see things 91 00:06:21,087 --> 00:06:26,316 and get things going really helps me to be productive and make sure that I'm 92 00:06:26,316 --> 00:06:31,469 doing all the good things and good Internet and things of that nature too. 93 00:06:31,469 --> 00:06:35,603 So you wanna have all of the good things set up for you so you can minimize and 94 00:06:35,603 --> 00:06:40,008 limit whatever kind of distractions you've got going on or whatever kind of, 95 00:06:40,008 --> 00:06:41,897 this chair isn't comfortable. 96 00:06:41,897 --> 00:06:46,396 I think when we all kind of started working from home, some coworkers and I, 97 00:06:46,396 --> 00:06:49,699 we were like we need a chair because the chair was good for 98 00:06:49,699 --> 00:06:52,541 working from home a couple days a week, maybe. 99 00:06:52,541 --> 00:06:56,206 But literally, every single day working from home, 100 00:06:56,206 --> 00:07:01,174 you got to get into that groove in that routine of having things where they 101 00:07:01,174 --> 00:07:05,095 need to be and having a practiced set of things that go on. 102 00:07:05,095 --> 00:07:08,055 And just all the right things in place so 103 00:07:08,055 --> 00:07:13,770 that you can feel like you're at work even though you're at home. 104 00:07:13,770 --> 00:07:16,884 This is a big one, getting dressed. 105 00:07:16,884 --> 00:07:20,727 Listen, nowadays if it doesn't have an elastic band, 106 00:07:20,727 --> 00:07:25,489 it's not cottoned or it's leisure wear, I don't want it, right? 107 00:07:25,489 --> 00:07:30,491 I think one of the greatest perks is being able to work from 108 00:07:30,491 --> 00:07:35,301 home because you don't have to really put on clothes. 109 00:07:35,301 --> 00:07:36,763 That's true for some days. 110 00:07:36,763 --> 00:07:37,327 Some days, I don't have to be visible and show my face. 111 00:07:37,327 --> 00:07:41,744 But on the days that I have to show my face, 112 00:07:41,744 --> 00:07:47,067 what you see on this screen is exactly what I like. 113 00:07:47,067 --> 00:07:49,067 Business on top, party on the bottom. 114 00:07:49,067 --> 00:07:54,053 And getting dressed does something to your psyche because when 115 00:07:54,053 --> 00:07:56,510 you look good, you feel good. 116 00:07:56,510 --> 00:08:01,629 And so, if you want to increase and boost how you feel, get out of the bed and 117 00:08:01,629 --> 00:08:05,956 the pajamas that you slept in and put on a fresh pair of pajamas. 118 00:08:05,956 --> 00:08:08,765 It'll change how you feel. 119 00:08:08,765 --> 00:08:13,390 It'll change just your psyche and make you wanna kinda get into it and 120 00:08:13,390 --> 00:08:14,833 do a little bit more. 121 00:08:14,833 --> 00:08:17,102 Trust me, your mental will thank you for it, 122 00:08:17,102 --> 00:08:20,880 but it is a perk working from home that you don't have to fully get dressed. 123 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:25,575 And some days I don't fully get dressed, some days it's just business on top, 124 00:08:25,575 --> 00:08:26,848 party on the bottom. 125 00:08:26,848 --> 00:08:31,296 But on those days that I do have to have FaceTime and Zoom meetings and 126 00:08:31,296 --> 00:08:34,731 things like that, I tend to wanna to put on a blouse or 127 00:08:34,731 --> 00:08:37,543 a T shirt that's clean and not wrinkled and 128 00:08:37,543 --> 00:08:42,337 things like that because it makes me feel good when I'm communicating. 129 00:08:43,695 --> 00:08:46,362 Setting your hours and boundaries. 130 00:08:46,362 --> 00:08:50,867 This is gonna help to prevent that always on work culture. 131 00:08:50,867 --> 00:08:55,823 The always on call because I'm at home and people are sending me messages and 132 00:08:55,823 --> 00:08:59,552 should I accept that message at eight o'clock at night? 133 00:08:59,552 --> 00:09:03,063 Should I accept that message at six o'clock in the morning? 134 00:09:03,063 --> 00:09:06,267 We're gonna figure out how to get that done. 135 00:09:06,267 --> 00:09:09,682 The easiest way to set boundaries is always to block time for 136 00:09:09,682 --> 00:09:14,332 lunch because if you're going throughout the day and you're meeting at lunch, 137 00:09:14,332 --> 00:09:17,191 you're not having time to step away to refresh. 138 00:09:17,191 --> 00:09:21,956 You're gonna burn out, you're gonna burn out super hard and super fast. 139 00:09:21,956 --> 00:09:25,896 And that overworked stressed feeling is a real thing 140 00:09:25,896 --> 00:09:30,376 nowadays because on average, we're spending about three 141 00:09:30,376 --> 00:09:34,782 more hours per day working then when we were in the office. 142 00:09:34,782 --> 00:09:39,513 And then, there's been a spike in VPN usage, virtual private networks, 143 00:09:39,513 --> 00:09:41,326 between midnight and 3AM. 144 00:09:41,326 --> 00:09:45,080 So you're working more. So if you're gonna be working more, 145 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:49,583 you got to start setting some time for yourself. 146 00:09:49,583 --> 00:09:52,554 And in my company, our culture is at no cost, 147 00:09:52,554 --> 00:09:55,307 we'd wanna have to have a lunch meeting. 148 00:09:55,307 --> 00:09:58,891 And sometimes we do have to have them, but it's very far and 149 00:09:58,891 --> 00:10:03,193 few and in between, because we want to make sure that everybody has some 150 00:10:03,193 --> 00:10:05,243 time Kinda take a break step away. 151 00:10:05,243 --> 00:10:09,334 And you wanna do the same thing for yourself and other people too. 152 00:10:09,334 --> 00:10:14,481 So if it's not an urgent meeting, try to avoid having meetings on lunch. 153 00:10:14,481 --> 00:10:20,051 And also just step away even if you don't have an hour you have 30 minutes. 154 00:10:20,051 --> 00:10:24,076 Make that sandwich open the back door and get some fresh air walk outside walk to 155 00:10:24,076 --> 00:10:27,736 the mailbox, just kind of do something that breaks that routine of just 156 00:10:27,736 --> 00:10:31,886 sitting in front of the screen all day because you really can bring yourself out. 157 00:10:31,886 --> 00:10:36,663 Feeding yourself should be non negotiable because it's gonna help 158 00:10:36,663 --> 00:10:41,205 with just making sure you're productive and things like that. 159 00:10:43,339 --> 00:10:44,522 Taking your off days. 160 00:10:44,522 --> 00:10:50,361 So, I'm guilty of this, I feel like why am I taking off? 161 00:10:50,361 --> 00:10:52,034 I'm not going anywhere, I'm at home. 162 00:10:52,034 --> 00:10:58,368 Well, you remember me talking about burnout, right? 163 00:10:58,368 --> 00:10:59,813 Well, burnout is a real thing. 164 00:10:59,813 --> 00:11:05,731 And Taking off and 165 00:11:05,731 --> 00:11:11,300 stepping away, turning off your notifications, turning off, emails and 166 00:11:11,300 --> 00:11:16,272 things of that nature will give you that mental break that you need. 167 00:11:16,272 --> 00:11:20,164 If you're always in work mode, and you have that mentality of just work, work, 168 00:11:20,164 --> 00:11:24,184 work, work, work, when do you get that time to just rest, relax and recuperate. 169 00:11:24,184 --> 00:11:27,554 Even if you don't have anywhere to go and 170 00:11:27,554 --> 00:11:32,216 you're doing like a staycation where you just at home, 171 00:11:32,216 --> 00:11:37,188 disconnect completely and grab a book, take those walks. 172 00:11:37,188 --> 00:11:41,612 Start that project, finish that project, do anything except for 173 00:11:41,612 --> 00:11:45,089 work because that mental refresh that you'll get, 174 00:11:45,089 --> 00:11:49,059 it will be truly rewarding even if it's just the day or two. 175 00:11:49,059 --> 00:11:53,802 And I know I like to kind of schedule naps [LAUGH] in my days off because 176 00:11:53,802 --> 00:11:57,131 it's one of those things that you don't get. 177 00:11:57,131 --> 00:12:01,132 So even something as simple as just like a little 15 minute power nap to refresh you 178 00:12:01,132 --> 00:12:05,078 on those days that you're off if you're trying to handle some of your own personal 179 00:12:05,078 --> 00:12:08,819 business, it's just something you can do to make it [LAUGH] fun and exciting. 180 00:12:08,819 --> 00:12:10,305 As you get older naps are important. 181 00:12:10,305 --> 00:12:16,221 [LAUGH] So unplug from work at least one day a week. 182 00:12:16,221 --> 00:12:21,044 On Sundays are usually my days where I'm just like I don't absolutely wanna see 183 00:12:21,044 --> 00:12:25,653 Slack message, see your email, get a text message about work and that's, 184 00:12:25,653 --> 00:12:27,396 you know, personal for me. 185 00:12:27,396 --> 00:12:31,798 However you make it work for you cuz everybody's schedules may vary, 186 00:12:31,798 --> 00:12:34,565 but at least one day a week you should limit. 187 00:12:34,565 --> 00:12:38,355 Any kind of communication with work unless you're on call, obviously, but 188 00:12:38,355 --> 00:12:42,342 that'll give you that break that you're looking for to and take those days off. 189 00:12:42,342 --> 00:12:44,897 Like even if you're not going anywhere, 190 00:12:44,897 --> 00:12:47,824 take those days off just to just rest your mental 191 00:12:56,964 --> 00:13:04,035 So, I think the misconception of working from home is that people are hanging out, 192 00:13:04,035 --> 00:13:08,081 going to the movies, everything but working. 193 00:13:08,081 --> 00:13:11,466 But you have to start practicing saying no to people 194 00:13:11,466 --> 00:13:16,207 when they think you're working from home and you're just available. 195 00:13:16,207 --> 00:13:19,899 Hey, can you pick up such and such from the airport, or, hey, 196 00:13:19,899 --> 00:13:23,750 can you come with me to this event that's in the middle of the day? 197 00:13:23,750 --> 00:13:27,329 And, practicing no, say things like, well, 198 00:13:27,329 --> 00:13:31,358 when I finish working, I'll see if I'm available. 199 00:13:31,358 --> 00:13:35,965 Or I can't right now because I'm working and if you practice those things to keep 200 00:13:35,965 --> 00:13:39,894 saying no, it'll put people in the mindset that even though so and so 201 00:13:39,894 --> 00:13:42,633 works from home, they're actually working. 202 00:13:42,633 --> 00:13:46,077 You don't wanna get caught up in being the go to person because you 203 00:13:46,077 --> 00:13:48,906 wanna observe the hours that your team is working in. 204 00:13:48,906 --> 00:13:52,330 If you're working on a schedule of nine to five and 205 00:13:52,330 --> 00:13:57,076 you constantly are taking breaks, you're gonna have longer days. 206 00:13:57,076 --> 00:14:00,632 And then your teammates may not be available to answer those messages, 207 00:14:00,632 --> 00:14:04,256 because they're observing one set of hours and you're doing another. 208 00:14:04,256 --> 00:14:07,030 So try to avoid as many errands for others and 209 00:14:07,030 --> 00:14:10,943 yourself as possible because you are supposed to be working. 210 00:14:10,943 --> 00:14:13,985 But hey, a quick 15 minute run to the post office definitely, right? 211 00:14:13,985 --> 00:14:17,770 We are allowed to do those things ,we're allowed to have a quick 212 00:14:17,770 --> 00:14:21,781 minute to ourselves but be mindful and communicate with your team. 213 00:14:23,385 --> 00:14:27,418 So that disconnect and reconnecting, so you usually, 214 00:14:27,418 --> 00:14:31,964 you're getting in your car, you're listening to the music, 215 00:14:31,964 --> 00:14:37,742 listening to a podcast, grab that cup of coffee, have that run in the morning. 216 00:14:37,742 --> 00:14:40,835 You're doing all these things to get prepared for work, but 217 00:14:40,835 --> 00:14:43,456 what are you doing to prepare when you're at home? 218 00:14:43,456 --> 00:14:47,508 It has to kind of be the same set of things that you're doing because it's 219 00:14:47,508 --> 00:14:50,839 a mental thing that you're trying to psych yourself into. 220 00:14:50,839 --> 00:14:52,163 Okay, I'm getting ready for work. 221 00:14:52,163 --> 00:14:54,291 And the same thing in the evening. 222 00:14:54,291 --> 00:14:58,283 How are you decompressing when you completely shut down and log off? 223 00:14:58,283 --> 00:15:03,371 Take a long walk, take an extra walk, take the kids outside, do something that's 224 00:15:03,371 --> 00:15:08,261 gonna take break up that space from you just working, working working all day. 225 00:15:08,261 --> 00:15:12,434 So for me, I have a morning ritual where I go out with my cup of tea. 226 00:15:12,434 --> 00:15:16,406 I take my dog and we kind of hang outside for a little while, 227 00:15:16,406 --> 00:15:20,540 do our little thing and it kind of preps me and gets me ready for 228 00:15:20,540 --> 00:15:23,396 the morning and then the same afternoon. 229 00:15:23,396 --> 00:15:27,511 We walk to the mailbox or do our little thing and just kind of disconnect so 230 00:15:27,511 --> 00:15:29,005 that I'm stepping away. 231 00:15:29,005 --> 00:15:34,535 Because if you're just literally, going from the couch to the computer, 232 00:15:34,535 --> 00:15:38,484 you're gonna get in this phone this this this cycle, 233 00:15:38,484 --> 00:15:41,762 this burnout that we call in, it's no fun. 234 00:15:41,762 --> 00:15:43,768 So, continue to do the things that you enjoy. 235 00:15:43,768 --> 00:15:48,576 Find some hobbies, find some activities to break up the monotony when you 236 00:15:48,576 --> 00:15:52,313 are working from home so that you have those things to do. 237 00:15:52,313 --> 00:15:56,433 And I know it all is all like one big blur splash especially now with the children at 238 00:15:56,433 --> 00:15:58,933 home, the kids are home, the spouses are home. 239 00:15:58,933 --> 00:16:02,854 So creating this routine is not only gonna be helpful for you, but 240 00:16:02,854 --> 00:16:05,006 it'll be helpful for your family. 241 00:16:05,006 --> 00:16:08,447 I have a co-worker who calls her children, her little colleagues and 242 00:16:08,447 --> 00:16:11,422 I can just imagine that while she's working there next to her 243 00:16:11,422 --> 00:16:15,156 stapling paper and writing memos and crayons, so ever children to the mix, 244 00:16:15,156 --> 00:16:17,401 if that's gonna be helpful and beneficial. 245 00:16:17,401 --> 00:16:19,350 Because if you're doing something and 246 00:16:19,350 --> 00:16:23,129 they're doing something you can keep them on task and minimize some of those 247 00:16:23,129 --> 00:16:26,910 distractions that may come about when you're having to have a conference or 248 00:16:26,910 --> 00:16:29,710 trying to get some downtime if you have the little ones. 249 00:16:33,552 --> 00:16:36,715 Communication and working from home. 250 00:16:36,715 --> 00:16:39,745 What can I say about this one? 251 00:16:39,745 --> 00:16:43,574 Communicating is super important when you're working from home. 252 00:16:43,574 --> 00:16:47,438 I don't feel like there's a thing as communicating too much when you're working 253 00:16:47,438 --> 00:16:48,007 from home. 254 00:16:48,007 --> 00:16:53,654 I think over communication is exactly what you wanna do because it's so hard. 255 00:16:53,654 --> 00:16:57,131 When you're in the office, you have those coffee, 256 00:16:57,131 --> 00:16:59,907 chats or those running into each others. 257 00:16:59,907 --> 00:17:03,795 And if they don't see you in your desk, okay, such and such is not here today. 258 00:17:03,795 --> 00:17:07,111 But when you're working from home and you're just online and 259 00:17:07,111 --> 00:17:10,321 the lack of human connection makes it hard to communicate. 260 00:17:10,321 --> 00:17:15,161 So communicating and working from home is a big one,. 261 00:17:15,161 --> 00:17:20,182 Keep your team manager, clients when you're 262 00:17:20,182 --> 00:17:24,825 out away so send, those email responses. 263 00:17:24,825 --> 00:17:27,038 Hey, I'm on the office I'm not available so 264 00:17:27,038 --> 00:17:28,971 that they know that they can get to you. 265 00:17:28,971 --> 00:17:31,213 If you're running a quick errand or 266 00:17:31,213 --> 00:17:36,311 something let your immediate team know hey actually, I'm running to the bank. 267 00:17:36,311 --> 00:17:41,127 If someone pings me, can you take over, or can I send something to you, or 268 00:17:41,127 --> 00:17:42,155 I'll be back? 269 00:17:42,155 --> 00:17:45,351 But just putting those notification settings up, 270 00:17:45,351 --> 00:17:48,779 I like to use mine in Slack where I put do not disturb on. 271 00:17:48,779 --> 00:17:54,274 Or just letting them know it's 1:15 I'll be back at 1:30. 272 00:17:54,274 --> 00:17:59,087 So someone has an urgent matter, I have shown them that I'm not available but 273 00:17:59,087 --> 00:18:01,382 they know that I'm not available and 274 00:18:01,382 --> 00:18:05,105 they can make themselves reach out to someone else as well. 275 00:18:05,105 --> 00:18:10,087 Inquire on other team's communication purpose is to because the way you may work 276 00:18:10,087 --> 00:18:13,986 internally with one team may not be the way another team works. 277 00:18:13,986 --> 00:18:19,020 So if you have those different interdepartments 278 00:18:19,020 --> 00:18:23,203 that do things different just inquire. 279 00:18:23,203 --> 00:18:26,715 So how do you guys such and such or who's available when that da da da. 280 00:18:26,715 --> 00:18:33,543 Kind of fill in those blanks, fill in those things kind of ask and communicate. 281 00:18:33,543 --> 00:18:38,567 Just always let people know you don't the worst thing you wanna do is go dark, 282 00:18:38,567 --> 00:18:41,041 going dark where no one can reach you, 283 00:18:41,041 --> 00:18:46,560 no one can catch you by whatever mode of communication that your organization uses. 284 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:51,161 You don't wanna go dark that's definitely not a good thing but always communicate. 285 00:18:51,161 --> 00:18:55,640 And that way if you do go dark, we'll know something is up and we'll seek help. 286 00:19:01,950 --> 00:19:03,283 Keeping your office culture alive. 287 00:19:03,283 --> 00:19:09,931 So where I work the culture is a huge thing. 288 00:19:09,931 --> 00:19:14,930 And we scheduled happy hours after hours sometimes to just 289 00:19:14,930 --> 00:19:17,794 kind of connect with each other. 290 00:19:17,794 --> 00:19:21,235 We're big on giving kudos and shout outs to people. 291 00:19:21,235 --> 00:19:27,132 We send those extra messages, although we're not in the office, 292 00:19:27,132 --> 00:19:32,410 because we thrive on the culture that we have in my company. 293 00:19:32,410 --> 00:19:35,369 So whatever culture that your company has, keep it going. 294 00:19:35,369 --> 00:19:39,526 So send all those messages, send all those things that you need to send because 295 00:19:39,526 --> 00:19:42,677 keeping that culture alive when you're not in the office, 296 00:19:42,677 --> 00:19:46,605 when you get back into the office, you'll be ready to step right back in. 297 00:19:46,605 --> 00:19:52,784 And lastly, without that human connection, without the feel that you get when you're 298 00:19:52,784 --> 00:19:58,647 having a conversation like face to face with someone, you have to be intentional. 299 00:19:58,647 --> 00:20:02,383 You want to delegate tasks. 300 00:20:02,383 --> 00:20:07,866 Be as clear and concise as you can, take the opportunities to learn more, 301 00:20:07,866 --> 00:20:11,056 it could be beneficial in something else. 302 00:20:11,056 --> 00:20:15,570 Use all your resources effectively, incorporate breaks into your work. 303 00:20:15,570 --> 00:20:18,422 Just be intentional with the things that you're doing. 304 00:20:18,422 --> 00:20:22,113 Because the lack of the human connection to get that empathy and 305 00:20:22,113 --> 00:20:25,733 that understanding, it's just me and the screen right now, 306 00:20:25,733 --> 00:20:28,465 me and the Slack messenger, me and the email. 307 00:20:28,465 --> 00:20:32,758 And sometimes you can't read all the feels that you get when you're actually 308 00:20:32,758 --> 00:20:35,410 communicating with someone face-to-face. 309 00:20:35,410 --> 00:20:38,719 So make sure you're intentional about the things that you do. 310 00:20:38,719 --> 00:20:43,248 And again, using those resources, if you're in management and 311 00:20:43,248 --> 00:20:46,637 supervision, delegate this as much as you can. 312 00:20:46,637 --> 00:20:52,812 And communicate that with the team when things are a little iffy or unclear, 313 00:20:52,812 --> 00:20:58,613 just so that all forms, up and down, of communication are available. 314 00:20:58,613 --> 00:21:03,106 Now, putting it into practice, 315 00:21:03,106 --> 00:21:09,203 that's where I feel like I lack some kind of, 316 00:21:09,203 --> 00:21:12,261 am I doing this right? 317 00:21:12,261 --> 00:21:14,270 Because some days vary, but 318 00:21:14,270 --> 00:21:20,057 putting it into practice is gonna be the thing that really sets you up for success. 319 00:21:20,057 --> 00:21:23,406 Getting a routine together will, again, 320 00:21:23,406 --> 00:21:27,135 not only benefit you, but benefit the family. 321 00:21:27,135 --> 00:21:31,383 So if the routine is everybody gets up at 8 o'clock, we get dressed, 322 00:21:31,383 --> 00:21:35,703 we have our breakfast, we take our morning walk, we're ready to go for 323 00:21:35,703 --> 00:21:38,743 learning, you have that time to do those things. 324 00:21:38,743 --> 00:21:43,377 If the routine is we all stop for lunch, we have a sandwich, we take another walk, 325 00:21:43,377 --> 00:21:47,425 or whatever you're doing, you wanna put those things into practice. 326 00:21:47,425 --> 00:21:51,981 You wanna do them day by day, because by then you'll ease into this routine, and 327 00:21:51,981 --> 00:21:56,212 you'll be doing it in no time, and you'll be working from home like a pro. 328 00:21:56,212 --> 00:22:00,352 So again, create an area dedicated for work. 329 00:22:00,352 --> 00:22:07,860 You wanna make sure you're working in optimal mode, mentally and physically. 330 00:22:07,860 --> 00:22:10,512 So make sure you have all the things set up for 331 00:22:10,512 --> 00:22:14,024 success with the extra pieces of things that you can have, 332 00:22:14,024 --> 00:22:19,201 your your second screen, that comfortable chair, the proper lighting. 333 00:22:19,201 --> 00:22:23,187 You wanna make sure you have all those things readily available to you so 334 00:22:23,187 --> 00:22:25,319 you can be as productive as possible. 335 00:22:25,319 --> 00:22:27,974 Set your schedule and boundaries. 336 00:22:27,974 --> 00:22:33,775 Listen, a routine Is super, super effective. 337 00:22:33,775 --> 00:22:39,115 It takes, what, 21 days to put something from habit into practice. 338 00:22:39,115 --> 00:22:42,660 So all it takes is a couple of weeks for you guys to practice, practice, 339 00:22:42,660 --> 00:22:46,635 practice, and then you'll have all the things that you need to be successful. 340 00:22:46,635 --> 00:22:51,199 And communicate and use your notification settings. 341 00:22:51,199 --> 00:22:55,841 Use all the resources that you have to let people know when you're available, 342 00:22:55,841 --> 00:22:57,048 when you're away. 343 00:22:57,048 --> 00:23:00,205 Just, yeah, use all the things. 344 00:23:00,205 --> 00:23:03,642 And again, you may not be successful in your first attempts, but 345 00:23:03,642 --> 00:23:05,902 you get a gold star with me for just trying. 346 00:23:05,902 --> 00:23:07,882 So try, try, try. 347 00:23:07,882 --> 00:23:13,334 And there'll be some tweaking that 348 00:23:13,334 --> 00:23:20,064 will have to happen before you get it right. 349 00:23:20,064 --> 00:23:24,534 But as long as you're practicing and improving upon the areas that you see fit, 350 00:23:24,534 --> 00:23:27,671 because again, everybody's schedule is different, 351 00:23:27,671 --> 00:23:31,228 you'll be on your way to be successful from working from home. 352 00:23:31,228 --> 00:23:37,137 And one of my favorite quotes when I'm thinking about working from home is 353 00:23:37,137 --> 00:23:42,969 from the Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy says, there's no place like home! 354 00:23:42,969 --> 00:23:46,170 We're at home, this is your environment. 355 00:23:46,170 --> 00:23:51,234 You can make it work for you, you have all the things that you need, 356 00:23:51,234 --> 00:23:54,220 all the resources, all the comforts, 357 00:23:54,220 --> 00:23:58,680 all the everything that you need to be successful at home. 358 00:23:58,680 --> 00:24:03,909 Make it work for you, make it efficient, don't get too comfortable, 359 00:24:03,909 --> 00:24:08,631 try to stay out of the bed, don't work from the couch too often. 360 00:24:08,631 --> 00:24:13,872 Put yourself in a productive mode to get those results that you're looking for, 361 00:24:13,872 --> 00:24:18,419 to get the results that your team members are looking for, managers, 362 00:24:18,419 --> 00:24:20,206 supervisors, whomever. 363 00:24:20,206 --> 00:24:23,204 But you're at home, so make home work for you. 364 00:24:23,204 --> 00:24:30,293 I can't stress how important it is to just be intentional. 365 00:24:30,293 --> 00:24:33,098 Because when you're intentional about working from home, 366 00:24:33,098 --> 00:24:35,356 you still have that mind frame that I'm at work. 367 00:24:35,356 --> 00:24:39,877 You may not have the eyes of your coworkers, but if you're intentional and 368 00:24:39,877 --> 00:24:44,998 you know you're doing good things, it'll translate over well to your teammates. 369 00:24:44,998 --> 00:24:48,418 So we don't have any time for questions. 370 00:24:48,418 --> 00:24:51,486 But thank you guys so much for tuning in. 371 00:24:51,486 --> 00:24:56,522 Please feel free to follow me on LinkedIn if you have any 372 00:24:56,522 --> 00:25:01,232 other questions or want some more tips and tricks. 373 00:25:01,232 --> 00:25:03,016 But I really appreciate you guys for tuning in. 374 00:25:03,016 --> 00:25:03,665 Thank you all.