20200421

Making the most of working from home


Remember the photos we used to see on social media, of people working from home or cafés? With headlines like: “Today’s office”. The intention was often to show off a free lifestyle. I see less of these photos today. 

When a majority works from home, there is no point in boasting about it, is there?

I am a person who enjoys working from home.

I hope these tips can help you do the same. 

Working from home with Dixon

WFH ≠ WATT (Working All The Time)


Just because you can easily join a meeting from home at midnight, doesn’t mean you are suddenly expected to.

If you want to feel “off” at certain times of the day, set your work hours (and your non-work hours) and stick to them.

Instead of just copying the work hours you have when you work at the office, find what works best now.

Maybe you want to start earlier since you don’t need to commute and instead take a long lunch walk? Or an energizing afternoon nap?

Use this time to really choose your work hours. You may even find energizing routines that will work also when you are back in office again.

Dress for success

One of my coaching clients said that I always look “so fresh” in our video calls. Was that because I see video meetings from home as work meetings?

YES!

Where I am is irrelevant. When I give someone a service, I dress accordingly.

When I give keynote speeches I wear colourful clothes that stand out. Clothes that set the tone.

When I work with coaching clients online or give webinars, I dress as if I am going to work – because I am.

When I write my next book I wear comfortable dresses or training clothes.
Working From Home can be a perfect time to go for casual and comfortable. But if you find it easier to stay professional by dressing the same way you do when you go the office - do it even if the office is in your house. 

Your home is still your home

Even if your home is also an office, that doesn’t mean all of your home has to be your office. 
Take the time to create a space to work. A space where you can work comfortably rather than forcing yourself to sit or stand in positions that will give you neck and back pain. 

Even more importantly – decide where not to work. 
What areas in your home are off-limits for work?
This could be bedrooms or maybe the room where you eat. 

WFH = WTWIW (Work The Way I Want)

Make the most of working from home by finding how to work the way you want.

20200414

Cashmere sweaters or therapy?

“Jag lägger hellre pengar på kashmirtröjor än dyr terapi.”
“I'd rather spend money on cashmere sweaters than expensive therapy.”
Karina Ericsson Wärn, headmaster at Beckmans College of Design



Image by 4cruzetam from Pixabay

It is easy to look at this statement and assume that Karina is a “material girl” who thinks happiness comes from things.

But when she explains what cashmere sweaters give her, we get a different view:

They give her Courage, Confidence and “Headmaster power”.

Who wouldn’t want Courage, Confidence and Power?

There is no such thing as right or wrong.

It is only about what works and what doesn’t, for you.

What makes you confident, courageous and powerful?

Hopefully you are these 3 things, regardless of circumstances.

But if you are not, use whatever you need to build your courage, strengthen your confidence and believe in your power.

One day you will notice that you are only wearing the cashmere sweater because you like it, not because you need it.

20200407

Of course it will work out

My friend Lisbeth used to say:

Det är klart att det löser sig, men det löser sig inte av sig självt. 
(Of course it will work out, but not by itself.)

I think this philosophy is profound and useful in its simplicity.

Fearful and stressed minds are not able to innovate, they are not able to look for solutions.

Believing it will work out doesn’t mean that you just Wait and See.

You can Wait and Do.

Once you truly believe that things will work out, you will have the peace of mind to do things that make a positive difference.

Actually, even better than doing is being.

You can Wait and Be.

Be the person you want to be, no matter what the circumstances are. A person who makes a positive difference.

The way you are will influence others and one day you will notice it has worked out.

Thanks to your way of being, thanks to your belief that it would work out.

I know Lisbeth is looking at us from heaven, with a smile on her face and her feet dangling from the edge of a cloud.



She knows we will be fine.

You do too.

Just Wait and Be.