Welcome & Introductions

Whether it's for school or work, many of us are still working remotely.  It's not always as easy as it seems.  Does anyone have any tips and/or tricks to making sure your remote experience is successful?

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Wendy Whiteford
St. Louis MO
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W2
I too am working remotely, & to add to that I am actively searching for management positions. 
Both of the aforementioned have come with challenges and obstacles: how do you stay focused on tasks? How do you keep active? How do you not get depressed? How do you stay in-tune with the world & not get overwhelmed by the negative-noise? Whew!
First, I make a schedule for myself, make intentions to accomplish.
Second, I keep track of my eating by meal planning and prepping.
Third, lots of prayers.
Fourth, I am tapping into my creative and visionary brain to network, search for positions, and get myself 'action' on the digital front lines!
Fifth, I divide my day into compartments of tasks. This is so I keep positive and only spend a certain amount on each item. It makes me 'fresh', or at least feel fresher!
Sixth, I change my thoughts around to positive when negative enters.
Seventh, I reach out to humans on a regular basis so I have connections and communication still a priority.
Eighth, I am using this time to develop inner skills and personal/professional growth through online learning opportunities.
Ninth, evaluating what didn't work and changing it to find the optimal approach.
Tenth, EXERCISING everyday, sometimes a few times per day. Entering physical challenges with others to train my mental state to rest.
Ever-evolving-and-changing-yet-still-progressing-forward-MOTIONS!

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Laurel Mills
Fayetteville State University
[Metamora, IL]
LaurelMillsLaurelMills
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Laurel,

These are some great ideas! Staying focused and keeping active is definitely a challenge and it sounds like you are tackling those challenges head-on.  Good luck with your search for a management position!

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Wendy Whiteford
St. Louis MO
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-14-2021 08:47
From: Laurel Mills
Subject: Tips and Tricks For Remote Work?

W2
I too am working remotely, & to add to that I am actively searching for management positions.
Both of the aforementioned have come with challenges and obstacles: how do you stay focused on tasks? How do you keep active? How do you not get depressed? How do you stay in-tune with the world & not get overwhelmed by the negative-noise? Whew!
First, I make a schedule for myself, make intentions to accomplish.
Second, I keep track of my eating by meal planning and prepping.
Third, lots of prayers.
Fourth, I am tapping into my creative and visionary brain to network, search for positions, and get myself 'action' on the digital front lines!
Fifth, I divide my day into compartments of tasks. This is so I keep positive and only spend a certain amount on each item. It makes me 'fresh', or at least feel fresher!
Sixth, I change my thoughts around to positive when negative enters.
Seventh, I reach out to humans on a regular basis so I have connections and communication still a priority.
Eighth, I am using this time to develop inner skills and personal/professional growth through online learning opportunities.
Ninth, evaluating what didn't work and changing it to find the optimal approach.
Tenth, EXERCISING everyday, sometimes a few times per day. Entering physical challenges with others to train my mental state to rest.
Ever-evolving-and-changing-yet-still-progressing-forward-MOTIONS!

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Laurel Mills
Fayetteville State University
[Metamora, IL]
LaurelMillsLaurelMills
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Thank you for sharing these great suggestions, Laurel. Since most of the conferences and events have gone online, I am using this as an opportunity for professional growth. Do I not miss the face-to-face encounters and networking opportunities - yes, I do. However, I might not have attended many conferences if I had to travel, book a hotel, make other work-related arrangements, etc., as I can do now by just clicking the register button.
All the best with your job search for leadership position!


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Sareer Zia
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-14-2021 08:47
From: Laurel Mills
Subject: Tips and Tricks For Remote Work?

W2
I too am working remotely, & to add to that I am actively searching for management positions.
Both of the aforementioned have come with challenges and obstacles: how do you stay focused on tasks? How do you keep active? How do you not get depressed? How do you stay in-tune with the world & not get overwhelmed by the negative-noise? Whew!
First, I make a schedule for myself, make intentions to accomplish.
Second, I keep track of my eating by meal planning and prepping.
Third, lots of prayers.
Fourth, I am tapping into my creative and visionary brain to network, search for positions, and get myself 'action' on the digital front lines!
Fifth, I divide my day into compartments of tasks. This is so I keep positive and only spend a certain amount on each item. It makes me 'fresh', or at least feel fresher!
Sixth, I change my thoughts around to positive when negative enters.
Seventh, I reach out to humans on a regular basis so I have connections and communication still a priority.
Eighth, I am using this time to develop inner skills and personal/professional growth through online learning opportunities.
Ninth, evaluating what didn't work and changing it to find the optimal approach.
Tenth, EXERCISING everyday, sometimes a few times per day. Entering physical challenges with others to train my mental state to rest.
Ever-evolving-and-changing-yet-still-progressing-forward-MOTIONS!

------------------------------
Laurel Mills
Fayetteville State University
[Metamora, IL]
LaurelMillsLaurelMills
------------------------------

As I reflect on working remotely for the past year, there are a few things that have been helpful for me:

1. Setting up a work space that is for work and nothing else. This helps me to keep some level of separation between my home life and my work life.
2. Keeping a routine similar to what I did when I was in the office. Starting my morning by checking emails while drinking a cup of tea signals to my brain that my work day is starting.
3. Setting strict boundaries with my time. I think it's easy for work to blend into your personal time when you're working from home. I tell myself that after a certain hour, no more checking emails. I put my work computer away and don't have the email app on my phone. I also make sure to take my mandatory 15 minute breaks and my lunch break. 
4. Allowing myself to not have my camera on in larger Zoom meetings. I think Zoom fatigue is real! Giving myself the space to not have my camera on for every single meeting means I don't feel as depleted as I might by the end of the week. 
5. Setting up a weekly virtual meeting with a coworker. I feel like I've barely left my place for the last year - making a space for connection like what we used to have back in the office has been helpful.
6. Keeping a list of tasks that I am working on and accomplishing to have some sense of progress I've made. I used to use a physical planner, but using a Google Doc has been a helpful adaptation as I'm working online. 

Great question!

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Candace Martin
Spokane WA
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Hi Candace,
It is good to have an established pattern for the work day as you have.  I have a few comments, but also know that there is no "best" method.

1. Setting up a work space is perfect.  When I taught online, I recommended students make a sign/poster so everyone else in the family also knew when school was in session.
2. Some folks think that email should be the second thing one does, to help ensure we don't get bogged down.  However, the idea of having a constant first task to kick off the word day is the way to go.
3. Actually, when I decided to respond, I had missed the 15 minute breaks.  However, sometimes it is just good to get up, stretch and take a brief tour.  Even if there is no one to say, "Hi" to, periodic small "breaks" (not a real break, it might just be a walk around the chair) can help.
4. Zoom fatigue can be addressed by turning off the view of yourself.  In a "real" meeting, you can't see yourself.  When you turn your camera off, the main benefit is not seeing yourself.  Note: There are times when you might not want others to see you either, but those are relatively rare.
5. I love this, but wonder if once per week with the same coworker provides the benefit.  One of the shortfalls of working from home is that loss of contact with coworkers.  It is difficult to simulate.  Remember, some of these discussions are work related.
6. I list is, of course, good.

Not critiquing, just sharing some thoughts.  Good job, Wendy and Candace!

Sincerely,

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Barry Meyer
DePaul University:  Chicago IL, 1972
Currently: Madison, AL USA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-13-2021 11:47
From: Candace Martin
Subject: Tips and Tricks For Remote Work?

As I reflect on working remotely for the past year, there are a few things that have been helpful for me:

1. Setting up a work space that is for work and nothing else. This helps me to keep some level of separation between my home life and my work life.
2. Keeping a routine similar to what I did when I was in the office. Starting my morning by checking emails while drinking a cup of tea signals to my brain that my work day is starting.
3. Setting strict boundaries with my time. I think it's easy for work to blend into your personal time when you're working from home. I tell myself that after a certain hour, no more checking emails. I put my work computer away and don't have the email app on my phone. I also make sure to take my mandatory 15 minute breaks and my lunch break. 
4. Allowing myself to not have my camera on in larger Zoom meetings. I think Zoom fatigue is real! Giving myself the space to not have my camera on for every single meeting means I don't feel as depleted as I might by the end of the week. 
5. Setting up a weekly virtual meeting with a coworker. I feel like I've barely left my place for the last year - making a space for connection like what we used to have back in the office has been helpful.
6. Keeping a list of tasks that I am working on and accomplishing to have some sense of progress I've made. I used to use a physical planner, but using a Google Doc has been a helpful adaptation as I'm working online. 

Great question!

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Candace Martin
Spokane WA
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