"It all seems like common sense, until you have to do it."
Shifting to working and learning, teaching and working online can be a difficult adjustment. Here are some tips I've learned in all three realms over the years.
Setting Up Work Environments is Key
Not everyone has an ideal environment to work online. Setting one up for yourself takes some thought, care, and is a great discussion topic with peers.
Couch, Bed and Floor Work? Lend some thought to:
- the angles you are looking at a screen
- what's happening with your shoulders
- how your back is supported
- angles that your hands and wrists are on the keyboard, trackpad or mouse
Slouching on a couch or a chair seems ideal at times, but
it's a challenge over time to your body. Check the angles and demands on your body, especially over time that cause stress.
Not everyone, especially when adjusting to a pandemic, has an isolated space to work. If common living spaces don't work try setting up on a desk or table in a bedroom. If you do, shut off the tech when it's downtime, perhaps even cover it up with a sheet when you are offline. Waking up to your desk in the line of sight isn't always an awesome feeling.
I change positions multiple times per day when I work at home. I'll often take more relaxed positions to do some reading or creative development work and more traditional desk positions to do production work, especially ones that involve repetitive motion by typing, mouse or drawing work.
Standing
I also work standing up at times, at a counter or by lifting my workspace with boxes or the like. I don't have a standing desk... but have worked at them and they are a great investment.
Lap Desk
There's quite a bit of research and opinion out there on the potential harm of setting a laptop on your legs for prolonged periods of time. Personally, I avoid it as much as possible. A board, a book, a lap desk of the like can help reduce the temp on your legs, allow the laptop to breathe and give you some piece of mind ; )
If you can use a porch or a deck, some steps, or even sit by an open window, get some sun and some fresh air, dive in! ; )
Hey, you're at home so move about! Stretch, sit on the floor, pushups, sit-ups... or just lie on the floor and take some stress off your body... but you might need to set an alarm though ; )
Working online can often extend into more hours and create stress on your hips, legs, back, neck, etc. Along with being active, take some time to stretch, walk, and care for yourself. If you are used to standing and moving about, sitting a lot can be challenging. Take some time to how your shoulders, wrists and your butt feels and make adjustments based on what you need.
Scheduling, Project Management and Sync vs Async Work
Project Management and Conjuring Artificial Deadlines
Does it really have to be done today? Is the deadline real or artificial? Can better project planning and some flexibility reduce stress? Emergency triage situations come up, but they often can be controlled. Set a schedule and pace that doesn't burn you out.
You know that time when you crush three hours of work in hour? If you do, you're likely familiar with the times when one hour of work takes three or more, too. If it's not syncing, take a break. Seek advice from a peer in an online chat or call them up. Do something to shift your focus. Grab a drink or a snack. Change your scenery. Give yourself a chance to have some social time. Adjust the deadline and give yourself some time to think something over. Pressing through might not be the answer. It's easy to forget all these normal tricks when you work from home.
Like project planning above, a huge part of working online is the discussion on synchronous vs asynchronous work. When does this work have to be done? Is it important for the person to be online during 'normal business hours' or can they adjust based on their schedule? One employer I worked with recently asked for help with two employees that were having a lot of trouble getting things done. Both employees, due to the pandemic, had moved home to work and also had young children learning online as well. I asked the owner to conjure up a discussion based on "how are you feeling?" and "what do you need.?" The interruptions both were experiencing during the day were staggering with young kids at home. One moved to evening and the other to 4 hours blocks at different times and the problem and stress went away. Moving work or learning to the time when it works best for the person might, and did solve the problem.
If you're teaching, and finding yourself used to or pushing for synchronous time with students... try a regular scheduled time once or twice a week and then allowing some flexibility with the work.
Multi-Tasking Biz
I won't address the great debate of multi-tasking here except to say, some focus helps me get things done. Social media feeds, videos, access to personal accounts in other browsers can distract you from getting work done.
Be Patient and Kind to Yourself
Working or learning online takes some skill development and patience, especially if you've never really done it before. Pushing harder isn't the answer. Set small goals. Learn. Reflect on what went well and what didn't. Think over how you feel and how your body is responding to the space you work in and make positive adjustments over time.
Go for a walk, eat lunch or take a short break without working. Set a time to work and then step away. It's easy to fall into the trap of working constantly when you're working online and get burned out.
Global Pandemic Life and Adjustments
I reminded a teacher recently "about that pandemic out there." They just needed to step back a bit and cool down. These are not normal times. Ramping things up takes time. It's easy for people to feel isolated, stressed, and have some depression. Adding stress isn't the answer.
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| Go big, stay home ; ) |
Break Things Up
Change things up. Get off the screen and exercise, cook something that usually takes too much time (like donuts!), play a game, read, draw, make something, clean out a closet or a junk drawer, get somethings ready to donate, make a new drink... or just listen to the outdoors. Doing nothing, yes actually nothing, is ok, too.
I love working online... but learning how took some time, and it changes with how I'm feeling and what I need. Listen inward ; )
Hoping that you stay safe and well.
AP