by Kersi Asare, reporting live from Brooklyn, NY
It’s unfortunate that it took a pandemic for the workplace of the future dreamed up in the 1950s to finally become a reality for millions of people in year 2020 - but alas folks, that’s where we are. Workers around the globe are working in their own virtual offices, with their co-workers’ faces miles away (woo-hoo), just steps away from their own bedrooms. Too bad we’re not in the future just yet, because my wi-fi can be frustratingly 2007-level-slow and our hover-boards don’t actually hover - but you get the idea.
Like most folks, I only worked from home when necessary, or on Friday’s if your office was cool enough, maaan. But this year, things have been extra interesting for me as I was lucky and blessed enough to have my first child on January 2nd, which means I’ve been at home on paternity leave since mid-December. So my wife and I had a little 3-month head-start on this whole self-isolation game pre-quarantine!
Kersi in his COVID protection get up
All jokes aside, now we are self-quarantining for the health of our new addition and neither of us has left our apartment building in over a month. Deliveries have been key, and luckily we started stocking up on baby stuff pre-lockdown, as the breast milk flows freely but the baby formula does not. We definitely need to send a BIG thanks and shout out to my new friends at Fresh Direct, Peapod, Instacart, Hello Fresh, USPS (think Canada Post), UPS and FedEx for being our lifeline, our human contact, and keeping us fueled! In this new world, I now spend the days on calls, disinfecting everything that comes through the door, and gearing up (e.g. mask, gloves, “outside clothes”) every time I leave to take out the garbage, do laundry or get the mail. That being said, I feel like a hitman wearing a mask, gloves, wiping down light switches and door handles, this might be the perfect time to plan that murd....ooh never mind, on with the blog post.
I was also lucky enough to start a new tech consulting job in mid-March. The company made it amazingly smooth as they mailed me an awesome headset and laptop the week before I started to make sure I was ready for my virtual orientation. Nevertheless, it was an odd first day at work; without the random introductions, meanderings around the newly discovered hallways trying to find the bathroom, and getting locked out of the office because you left your shiny new awkwardly taken Photo ID on your desk but soldier on I did.
Luckily, most companies were already equipped to endure this 1950s sci-fi life, and my company being no different, armed us with an arsenal of tools to get our jobs done: BlueJeans (Video conferencing, majority of our day), Slack and Microsoft Teams (Instant Messaging), Jira and Confluence (Collaborative Agile Software Development Tools), my cell phone and Jabber (Phone Calls….what are those?).
After several weeks of trial and error, here are my tips for maintaining sanity and getting through it all, see you on the other side:
1. Improve your Setup
Ergonomics check time! Make sure you have a comfortable chair and a monitor so you’re not stuck staring at a laptop all day. Get wrist and mouse pads if you need (you won’t be worth much to your boss with carpal tunnel and a stiff neck), try ways to convert your desk into sitting/standing as well. Finally, if you’ll be standing, invest in a standing mat.
Aside from Covid related donations, my company has given all employees a work from home stipend to assist in building their home offices - which was great because my setup was NOT quite ready for 8 hour days. Ask your boss or HR if they can help you out as well.
2. Get a Nice Headset
You’re going to be wearing it for longer than usual. Make sure your headset or headphones will be comfortable for 8+ hours days (My company copped us some nice Jabra Evolve 75’s). Make sure yours are noise cancelling and have a mute button as it will come in handy in the home office (especially with a baby).
“Make sure your headset or headphones will be comfortable for 8+ hours days”
3. Create a Workspace
In line with the first tip, if you don’t have a dedicated workspace, make sure you create one - and only use it for work. That way you can mentally separate work life, from home and play life, plus allow you to check out once the day is done.
4. Take a Break
Get up and move! Who would’ve thought I’d actually be missing in-person meetings? That time walking the hallways and not staring at your laptop adds up to valuable breaks for your body and eyes. Try and mimic that time by standing up, stretching and walking away from the screens (including your phone!) for a few minutes, your mind will thank you later.
5. Time is Important
Get to your meetings on time! Create a routine for yourself so you’re not constantly sucked into the screens and surround yourself with some indications of normalcy e.g. breakfast, lunch, stretch breaks, in NYC at 7PM clapping and making noise for the doctors, nurses, essential workers and my friends the delivery drivers!
6. Try to Dress
That means pants! Every day! Not pyjama pants. At a minimum put on some damn sweatpants and a shirt without an ice cream stain on it.
“DRESS! At a minimum put on some damn sweatpants and a shirt without an ice cream stain on it.”
7. Don’t Read and Social Media-ize Too Much
The constant Covid news can lean on the depressing side, and can be a huge distraction, try to limit your consumption to a break or two throughout the day for set amounts of time (e.g. 5-10 minutes).
8. Play some Background Music
Just so you’re not sitting in silence all day, create a nice vibe and at the same time simulate some of that office chatter we’re missing out on.
9. Bond and Be Present with your Family
My wife watches the baby most of the day, but since I’m here I can spell her for a few minutes on my breaks away from the desk and take advantage of this additional time for bonding with my daughter.
10. Have Fun
My video conferences are opening with a lot more banter, gentle conversation, and jokes to lighten the mood and almost serve to remind us of our humanity and a sense of togetherness before we dive in. It’s a nice, welcome distraction from the reality of our situation and the cacophony of sirens constantly coursing through the air for some of us (especially in places like Brooklyn).
“Video conferences are opening with a lot more banter, gentle conversation, and jokes to lighten the mood; almost serve to remind us of our humanity and a sense of togetherness”
11. Get Rest, Meditate & Relax
This might be the most important tip, as our minds and bodies adjust to being indoors you’ll need to rest up and make some changes as I can’t stress this enough - try not to be stressed. If you have a meditation practice, try to add another session or two daily (e.g. morning and night sessions) to help you wind up, wind down and reset your mind during the day. If you’ve never tried, now might be the time to give it a whirl (Take 10 minutes and try the Headspace app). Try to get sleep and find time to sit, breathe, read a book or stare out the window and appreciate the clouds. Do your best to put your phone down as well (No screens!). Just taking these few steps will do wonders for your mental health in the long run.
Kersi at his home desk set up
With so much time at home most of the world has found themselves looking inward (I hope): How long will this last? Is this the new normal? I really can’t see things going back to pre-Covid type normal - especially from the viewpoint of an introverted extrovert, slightly OCD, anxiety ridden person such as myself. With so many cracks exposed in our systems and institutions, if we don’t learn from this situation and prepare for a new future (Not just the 1950s comic book version) we’re doomed to repeat this moment in history. There must be changes in our society from the way we live our lives down to the way we work - especially now that we know that damn near universal flexible work conditions are possible as long as we stay effective, most employers must be open to it. It’s a start.
‘Til we meet again, stay strong and stay safe,
--Kersi Asare