Sophie Parsons makes WFH work for her, minus a desk
Limit screen time
Those face-to-face interactions that punctuate the day are becoming fewer and far between, as meetings and lunch breaks with colleagues have become digitally-dependent. Our screens have become a lifeline. Yesterday, I charged my two phones four times – that’s a lot of mobile activity! So, whether it’s half an hour of reading, a disconnected cooking session or a quick walk around the park, plan in periods to clear your mind a little from the unending news updates, virtual chats and whatsapp messages of support.
Structure your working hours
Switching off at the end of the day is usually something I’m somewhat of an expert in but when that no longer includes actually leaving the office, it becomes a little more difficult. Logging off from the multiple communication channels that make remote working possible can also be a little disorientating when your daily social contact is suddenly limited.
Our Chief Finance Officer James recommends putting on your jacket and taking a purposeful walk each morning, lunchtime and evening, as if you were walking to your nearby station to begin your commute. Punctuate the day with physical activity to refresh.
Create your space
I pictured a two-screen setup, filter coffee on tap, fresh flowers and a pretty plate of biscuits that refills itself hourly to snack. In reality, I don’t have a desk. Suddenly, four housemates are huddled around one wifi box and we’ve brought the garden furniture in so no one is working from the sofa. This, I think it’s fair to say, is unsustainable.