Setting Boundaries While Working From Home
During the beginning of the year, when all of us were adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic, we didn’t have to devise a perfect work-from-home strategy. Even if you had some experience working remotely, you probably weren’t planning for a day when going to the office would be an impossibility. It’s only natural that corners got cut in the rush to transition. Figuring out how to have essential interactions over Zoom took precedence over ensuring everyone was comfortable with and adjusted to their new reality. Now that we’ve had some time to adapt to that reality, though, many people are starting to address how they can make working from home not just serviceable for now but also sustainable for the long haul. For many of you, one of the first matters to address will be setting boundaries.
As we scrambled to keep our careers and businesses running during unprecedented circumstances, many of us devoted extra time and energy to our work. But you can’t burn the candle at both ends forever. Without a strategy and parameters in place to make working from home structured, you will end up becoming a work-all-the-timer. That’s not good for your performance, productivity, or mental health. Instead, you need to set appropriate boundaries to make sure your work life doesn’t bleed into your personal life, or vice versa. That’s not to say you aren’t going to have moments where you need to address a child’s need in the middle of a meeting or need to respond to an urgent email at 10 at night. These exemptions just can’t become the rule.
When it comes to making sure that work doesn’t become constant, the best advice is to be proactive in communication and committed to your own self-care. If you’re the type of person who is always willing to say yes, even if the ask is impossible and unfair, you’re in for a rough remote work experience. Instead of being “always available,” set a schedule and stick to it, just as you would in the office. Email your superiors or team members at the beginning of the day letting them know you’ve started and do the same at the end. Keep your calendar clearly marked, so people know when it is best to reach out to you. And if you’re in a leadership position, respect that your employees have lives they need to deal with.
Just as important is making sure your work life isn’t just an extension of your personal one. The only difference between when you’re working and not shouldn’t just be what’s on your computer screen. Creating a dedicated workspace, keeping up your morning routine, eliminating distractions like your phone and social media: These were good habits before the pandemic and they still are today. Another benefit of actively constructing an experience of being at work is that it makes it easier to stop being at work. You may not have a dedicated home office you can close and lock, but you can create a similar experience for yourself. Doing so will benefit all aspects of your life.
You also shouldn’t feel bad about taking time off as you normally would, as long as you understand when and for how long. Vacations and disconnecting are essential for battling burnout and keeping you engaged and motivated. Just because you’re working from home, doesn’t mean you’ve eliminated the need to take days off. Of course, the health of your company will dictate aspects of taking a break right now. However, if you think working from home means never missing a day of work, you’re going to be at your wit’s end in a hurry.
Finally, remember that we’re all figuring this out together. Be lenient with your coworkers, loved ones, and friends but don’t be afraid to assert your boundaries when appropriate. As ever, being frank and open in your communication will go a long way in making working from home an enjoyable experience for everyone. It’s still early days, but with remote work not likely to go anywhere, it’s time we start asking how we can thrive from home. You’ll never do that without setting reasonable boundaries.