In this time where we are all working from home, being mentally and physically present with yourself is important. It is also crucial to recognize when zoom fatigue hits. I highly suggest reading my colleague’s piece on boundary-making for her advice on self-care, which touches on these very topics. What I want to add to this discussion is another aspect of how to make the most of working from home to maximize your experience.

[Image Description: A dog on its back on a couch with a pillow behind its head and a blanket over its lap types on a laptop computer resting on top of the blankets.]

Pictured: How relaxed and productive we all wish we were when working from home

If you feel like you’ve found your rhythm when working from home, kudos! For me working from home (WFH) has been a day-by-day ordeal. Whether you’re used to coming in to work on campus or haven’t had the chance to yet, we’ve all had to get used to making the most of WFH. One of the silver linings of this new work norm that you may be able to have more flexibility in scheduling your day. I think one of the things that really got me in the mindset of making the most of WFH was reframing how I saw my time at home. Early on, I realized that it was really helpful for me to accept that it was liberating to just not do much on one day of the week compared to the other days of the week. The key to that was to not worry about the day I didn't do much. Below are some topics and areas relating to WFH that I find myself constantly working on and the tips I have to share with you about these topics!

Figuring Out How to Manage Your Schedule

 

[Image Description: An animated figure shifting back and forth quickly, working on two clear screens floating before them. Below the figure are the words: Contingency Planner.]

Pictured: You, planning for your day of WFH

Of course, there are going to be weeks where your plate is full, and deadlines are looming ever closer, so you put your nose to the grindstone and just work. However, don’t forget to offset those weeks by taking a break every so often. That could look like structuring your day to maximize your work efforts. Are you someone who prefers the normal work hours of 9-5pm or do you find that you work well in the wee hours of the morning or night? Now is the opportunity to take advantage of your time, if you’re able to, as long as you’re able to get your work done.

Not only can you try new ways to structure your day, but you can also try new ways to schedule your time. I have found that having multiple forms of my schedule seems to work the best for me. This means that there is usually at least one place that I’ve jotted down commitments. Google calendar is nice for separating out different types of commitments, especially those that are repeated weekly. I bought a blank calendar that I keep on my desk and use that to fill in weekly commitments and daily tasks. There’s no right way to schedule your time, but putting in the effort now to find what works may become a strong component of time management for you in the futur. Check out GSMP STEM coordinator Jessica’s blog about time management or Graduate Student Resource Center’s Time Management workshop recording for additional tips!

Networking

[Image Description: David, from Schitt's Creek, looks up dramatically as he says with clear sarcasm: I love making connections.]

Pictured: How we all feel about networking  

Networking may still be a hurdle, but it might be an even bigger challenge for some now that we’re mainly supposed to make connections online. I prefer to reframe the idea of networking into something more palatable – making connections! It’s easier to hype myself up and prepare for such a task, whether it’s in a seminar or in a more intimate meeting. Regardless of this reframing, for some reason, speaking into my camera and mic seems a lot more daunting than standing up at the front of a room. Luckily, virtual meetings cater to those who prefer to talk in person as well as those who prefer to communicate over messages with the chat box feature.

I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and engage in one format or the other, perhaps even challenging yourself to communicate in the manner that you are less comfortable with. If it takes time to work up to that or you want to stay in your comfort zone, that’s fine too, as long as you’re taking the initiative and trying to make connections! The next step after meeting someone or talking to someone is to maintain that new connection, so be sure to email them after thanking them for their time and asking any follow-up questions or if you can keep in contact with them in the future. This applies to both in-person and virtual networking.

Staying Organized

[Image Description: Sisyphus, in the style of a Greek vase, pushing a slowly rotating circle similar to the Apple loading icon up a hill and making no progress.]  

Pictured: How it can feel when we try to stay organized 

Staying organized always feels like an uphill battle, like Sisyphus pushing that boulder up the hill. Luckily for us, we have a plethora of resources and programs that we can use to help make ways to stay organized easier. One example is keeping track of our list of readings and notes. There are plenty of platforms to choose from to do this, like Endnote, Zotero, or Mendeley. Don’t sleep on all the functions they have that aren’t as well known! Play around with them and see which program's style is preferable – do you like keeping all your PDFs in one place? Then Mendeley might work better than Endnote’s style of external PDF markings. Check out the UCR Library’s handy guide on how to choose and compare the different reference and citation managers available! Besides organizing your reading lists, organizing your day and your workspace is something that can help maximize productivity. If taking some time out of your day to rearrange your workspace is something that you feel you need to do, go for it! You are still being productive, as the de-cluttered and organized space may have future benefits when you get back to work.

[Image Description: A 4-pannel comic titled: How to Get Work Done. Panel 1 shows a figure sitting at their desk with the words: sit down above the figure. Panel 2 shows a list that reads, Organize: Thing 1, Thing 2, The Cat, The Hat. Panel 3 lists the word Work followed by a shifting image that reads: the moral of this comic? Try your best to not procrastinate. So, um, I don't actually know how to draw this...if I hadn't procrastinated I might have an idea. Panel 4 shows a drawing of a thumbs up below the words: Get results.]

Pictured: How to get results  

Recognizing your accomplishments is, in my opinion, the best way to make the most of WFH. Of course, getting through a paper that you’ve been stuck on, finishing an assignment, submitting a grant or paper, or even presenting in some capacity are phenomenal accomplishments. However, keep in mind that whether you're learning a new recipe as a way to unwind or stepping away from your computer at the end of the day, these count as an accomplishment as well! Whatever your WFH day looks like is dependent on what you make of it. If you’ve hit some roadblocks and want to talk about strategies or practice professional development skills while working from home, feel free to chat with me (or over email) and we can go from there!