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In the spring, it was difficult for many to get used to working from home. It seemed unrealistic for us to find a quiet corner and rebuild. But humans are adaptive and creative creatures, and most have succeeded in this task. Moreover, now there is a new problem — how to get back to office life?
Many people remember how the pandemic-related changes in the usual mode of life began. And although some companies began to use a remote work format in February-March, for the majority, the non-working week, which was announced from March 30 to April 5, became the starting point.
People are faced with the task of adapting to new conditions. It was difficult for someone to concentrate while in an apartment with children, someone complained that they now work 24 hours a day instead of the usual 8, many experienced difficulties due to the lack of live communication with colleagues and friends while staying at home.
A few months later, self-isolation was left behind, and even with all the talk about the second wave of the pandemic, we can already talk about some stabilization of the situation. People have organized a workspace for themselves at home, learned to negotiate with loved ones, mastered new formats of work. Once again, we are faced with changes to which we need to adapt, as some employers are ready to return employees to work in the office.
Even if at the beginning of the quarantine, remote work seemed an inconvenient format, now you may find yourself reluctant to return to the office. What has changed and how to deal with it? In this article, we will look at 5 possible causes and provide recommendations on how to deal with it.
1. Fears and anxieties associated with the risk of infection
Despite the lifting of quarantine, we all know that the virus has not gone away and, therefore, there is a risk of infection. The very fact that it will be necessary to use public transport and be among a large number of people can increase anxiety and reluctance to go out.
Alan King, CEO of an employee wellness solutions provider, writes about how to manage anxiety in a situation like this. For example, continue to follow the recommendations of epidemiologists and maintain open communication with the manager.
If there are any factors you are concerned about, such as how to get to the office safely, discuss them. The manager may not be able to fully meet your needs, but there will be a chance to find some kind of compromise solution.
2. Change your perspective on your professional development and career
If earlier we could participate in an endless race up the career ladder or follow the beaten track every day, then quarantine gave some of us a forced stop. She has helped many people realize something. For example, “I’m no longer interested in what I did before”, “I want to try myself in a different position”, “I don’t want career growth, I want to stay in my place, increasing my expertise”, etc.
It’s okay if you understand that you want to change something. Do not make sudden movements and hasty conclusions, give yourself time to be in this new situation in order to decide how to proceed further, to consider possible options. After a while, you can discuss and consider new opportunities within your company and think about where to go.
3. Reassessment of values and needs during quarantine
What arguments do people give when they realize they don’t want to go back to the office? They are tired of traveling by transport to and from work, it takes time and effort that could be useful, for example, to organize proper nutrition and exercise. They found that they slept better, that there were more distractions in the office, and some even managed to find a balance between work and home, making time for what’s important.
For some, during quarantine, the focus has shifted from professional achievements towards personal well-being. This is confirmed by our foreign colleagues, who note that people have begun to pay more attention to both their physical and mental health.
To figure out what matters to you in the near and medium term, and build your life in accordance with this, introduce mindfulness practices into it. They can significantly improve well-being, affect the quality of relationships and health, and increase the ability to live with joy.
4. Changing external and internal factors of motivation
Among the things that motivated people before, people single out recognition from colleagues and a manager, career growth, medical insurance, the absence of strict rules and procedures within the company, etc. If your values and needs have changed during quarantine, motivation factors may also change.
What will motivate you now? Flexible work schedule, because now there is an understanding that you can cope with your duties more efficiently in a more convenient format, and not within the framework from 9 to 18. The ability not to waste time on the road, which takes a lot of effort, and also get enough sleep, with greater benefit take breaks for yourself, eat right, cook at home. There is time for the family, pets are happy that you are around.
What are your main motivating factors now? What is important now? Discuss this with your manager to organize the work, taking into account the new inputs.
If you notice a tendency to focus on the bad and associate going to the office only with negative consequences, try keeping a gratitude journal. It can be an antidote to negative thinking by helping you focus on what is already good in the here and now. And this, in turn, will increase resilience and become a resource for moving forward.
5. And again changes
After any significant change, it’s natural to move slower as you adjust to the new circumstances. An internal critical voice can agitate you to get involved in work not at 100, but at 200%, to be super efficient, but it is important to adequately distribute the load, including taking care of yourself and your psychological state in the to-do list.
Now the risks of emotional burnout, chronic fatigue and stress are high.
Those who practice self-care think more clearly and become more focused, make fewer mistakes and think more critically. If you notice that your efficiency has decreased when you go to the office, activate the self-support system.
Be careful and patient with yourself. Accepting the present moment as it is and accepting yourself as you are now means acknowledging the truth about the way things are at the present time. This is important to feel before you want to change anything.
Remember that returning to work after the lockdown exposes all people to a range of circumstances to which they may respond in different ways. It is normal to feel anxiety, fear, disappointment. Seek professional help if needed, and find out if your company offers an employee support program to help you cope with challenges at work and in life.