Monday Memo #31
Designate a work space.
The Monday memo is food for thought to fuel your week.
Hi everyone,
It seems we are all remote workers now. Maybe you have a job that allows you to work from home. Maybe you work solo from home. Or maybe you’re working from home not by choice, but because you have been laid off.
When I started working for myself, I was used to having a day job. When I was at work, I was working, and when I got home it was time to relax. Working at home can be hard, because you’re surrounded by the comforts of home. The clear line between work and home life becomes blurry or even nonexistent. You take work calls when you should be relaxing. You watch TV when you should be working. You read your emails in bed. Where does work end and life begin? It can be hard to tell the difference, leading to situations where both work and life suffer from the unclear boundaries.
What worked best for me was to designate a dedicated work space. It was simply a chair and a table, but if I was in that chair, I was working, and everyone in my life knew it. The ritual of going to that chair and sitting down meant it was time for work. It really helped. And when I was relaxing, that was clear too. Once I got out of my work chair, I was at home. It was a short commute!
The clear boundaries between work and home, even though I worked at home (and I still do), made a huge difference both for me and the people around me.
Exercise.
Here’s your exercise for the week. If you haven’t done it yet, designate a space that is only for work. Keep it clear of distractions. Populate it with items that remind you to enjoy your work. A stack of clean paper, a bulletin board, headphones, whatever it takes to make that place feel enjoyable and productive, a space that reminds you that you are there for work and nothing else. The space should feel so inviting that you want to be there, so when you sit down you are halfway started.
Clock yourself in and out. When you sit down in your work space, it can help to have a simple ritual to get you started. Sharpen your pencils. Take a sheet of paper and jot down your agenda for the day. Consider a ritual to close your day too. Straighten your desk. Write down a few reflections. Close your notebook. Then clock yourself out and get out of your work chair.
Now relax. Leave your work behind. Your work day is over, and tomorrow you can come back and pick up where you left off.
Upcoming:
In our next Collaboratory, Mike Parker will show us how we can tap into the power of the unconscious mind to explore possibilities. I’ve known Mike for many years and have worked with him as a personal coach. Mike is focused on practical applications of brain science and psychological techniques for accessing the unconscious mind to reduce stress and anxiety and improve performance and creativity.
Become a member today to access this live, interactive session, which will happen on Wednesday, July 17, from 9 to 10:30 Pacific time.
Members get access to all Collaboratories as well as Collaboratory recordings, past and present, and our email archive.
As of this week we have 70 members. In 2025, membership dues will increase to $30/month, $300/year. If you join now, you will lock in the $20/month, $200/year rate for as long as your subscription remains active.
If you’re already a member, thank you. You’re making this possible.
More information for members is below the fold.