After a year of working from home, the idea of returning to an office might fill you with a mix of emotions from excitement to anxiety. While returning to the workplace can provide many benefits like decreased loneliness, increased productivity, team bonding and more, there will be a readjustment period as people transition their daily routines. Here are some tips & tricks to help ease back your return to campus:
1. Limit Distractions
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- Place phone on silent
- Wear noise-cancelling headphones
- Ask for space from co-workers if working in open area when needed
- To limit the number of distractions when working on a project requiring your undivided attention, post a sign on your door or cubicle to let visitors know you are engaged in a project and when you expect to be free
2. Start adjusting your routine even while you are at home.
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- Slowly adjust your sleep schedule.
- Set your alarm earlier to account for your commute.
- Return to your pre-pandemic pre-work routine.
- Practice meal prepping and packing a lunch instead of just hitting the fridge.
- If you have been enjoying a lunchtime workout, consider where your workout will fit into your day once you go back to the office.
- Have a conversation with your children about how your return to the office will affect them.
- Separate non-work activities from work activities.
3. Make Yourself at Home
One of the most jarring things about leaving the comforts of your home office is the at-home conveniences you have become accustomed to. Ease the transition by finding a couple of ways to make your office feel more familiar. Things like bringing in a small plant or stocking your space with your favorite tea or even keeping a blanket on hand. Speak with your manager to learn what options exist for a more ergonomic workspace.
After returning to an environment of drop-bys and impromptu meetings, trying to stick to some semblance of the familiar routine you have become accustomed to will help you be as productive as possible. For example – If you prefer to set aside time in the afternoon to tackle major projects, do not hesitate to communicate this preference to your manager and co-workers.
Being productive in a remote work environment demanded constant and proactive communication with your team members. Likewise, when you return to the office, it can be tempting to assume that everyone is on the same page (or that people will pop in if they need anything) and to relax your communication a bit. However, do not fall into this trap. Maintaining the detailed communication that you have been using helps prevent misunderstandings and furthers trust among your team.
- Branch Out, Within Reason
Perhaps the biggest shift of all is going from isolation (and quiet) to an office buzzing with activity and chatter. While that can be a welcome change, it can also be tough to keep up the same level of productivity when you are suddenly surrounded by side conversations. Incidentally, a little self-discipline is critical to workplace socialization. Try blocking out time to connect with colleagues and (diplomatically) being clear when you need time to yourself. This approach not only allows you to focus on your work, it also puts you in control of a situation that could otherwise feel overwhelming.
There is no doubt that working remotely is great. While the adjustments of returning to an office setting may initially be overwhelming, with practice and patience you can find success and satisfaction on “the inside,” too.
4. Stock the Desk
After the 2020 Pandemic and the very abrupt pause to our normal lives, we are all welcoming the beginning of our new norm! Returning to Campus will be a combination of mixed emotions, however as we have all displayed our resilience in the telecommuting transition, we are equipped to now shift gears as the dedicated, determined, and dependable GT Employees we are. One of the major perks of working from home is having everything you might need throughout the day right at your fingertips; snacks, listen to music and a cozy sweater for comfort. Let’s together ‘Stock the Desk’ and apply the very comforts of our home success as we return to our offices. Take stock of what is available at the office; then, make sure you prepare your desk with whatever else you might need to feel comfortable and do your best work—like headphones, your daily planner, a reusable water bottle, healthy snacks, or an extra phone charger.
These essentials are a sure winner for a successful transition back to the office!
5. Stick to Your Routine
As we prepare to ease back into the on-campus office setting we should be thinking about our evening and morning routines, as having (and sticking to) a routine can make all the difference in being organized, achieving goals, and maintaining a clear and positive mindset.
- Get enough sleep! Feeling your best each day all starts with a good night’s rest – getting that 8 hours is key! Waking up earlier than necessary can give you some extra time to do things like exercise, eat breakfast and plan the day ahead of you.
- Evaluate/reevaluate your to-do list the night before.
- Decide what you will wear to work the night before.
- Set aside the first hour or so of your work day to blast through those emails.
- Block off your calendar for two hours (give or take) each day to work on your most important tasks…without interruptions.
- It’s okay to let your coworkers know when you need uninterrupted time to focus (simply communicate this to them and they’ll be less likely to disturb you).
- Most importantly – remember to take breaks!
