Rediscover your work-life balance

Zoom meetings.  Moving from one crisis to the next.  Rolling out of bed directly into the office chair.  Working from home sounded great 14 months ago, but global pandemics have a way of defying expectations.

Millions of Americans who were fortunate enough to keep their jobs during the COVID-19 crisis found themselves physically displaced from the office, and it wasn’t all pajama pants and afternoon naps.  (I could really use one of those about now.)  For many, it’s meant longer days, sleepless nights, and a steady erosion of the proverbial work-life balance.

In the public relations and public affairs world, our clients have moved from one crisis to the next, as they’ve defended their industries, fought for their livelihoods, or pursued critical reforms to tackle the pandemic.  One longtime Lansing observer remarked that the last year has been like a 12-month lame-duck legislative session.

A state of perpetual crisis might be good for the PR business, but it’s lousy for the folks who count on us for professional help– and incredibly stressful for the families who depend on us, too.  It’s great for a lot of folks, but for many, the home office has become an ever-present stresser, not a nice change of pace.

No matter how you feel about working from home, we could all stand to take a deep breath, and to spend a little time rediscovering that work life balance. 

Mental health pros and business development experts aren’t short on great advice for making it through times like these, but that won’t stop me from offering three quick tips for the PR and public affairs pros who’ve been navigating these waters alongside me.

1. Turn off your computer and put away your phone.
   If you can’t escape the office on the other side of the living room, do the next best thing.   Each day, once you’ve finished what you need to finish, power down the computer and your smart phone.  Close them.  Stick them on the shelf.  Get them out of sight and out of mind.

   Physically removing the temptation to respond to “just one more email” will force you to take that break you need at the end of the day.
   

2. Ask yourself – do I really need to do this over Zoom?
   Can you accomplish what you need with a phone call?  An email?  A text message?  Zoom calls and Microsoft Teams meetings might be convenient replacements for the in-person meeting, but they reproduce like rabbits, too. 

   If you had 3 client meetings per day before the pandemic, dollars-to-donuts you’ve got 5 video calls a day right now. 

   If it’s in your power to avoid one and to tackle your task more quickly and efficiently, go for it!
   

3. Get outside. 
   The weather’s turned.  It’s beautiful.  Creation has an incredible way of centering even the toughest work-a-holic.  Stare mindlessly into the trees across the street.  Close your eyes and listen to the wind.  Water the lawn.  (Your neighbors will appreciate it.)

   Take a few deep breaths.  Contemplate your place in the universe.  Or don’t.  If all you can manage is a little fresh air, that’ll help, too.
   

4. Make time for family or friends.
   You’ve probably read the news.  It’s OK to see people again.  Your family and friends have missed you.  Make time for them.  There’s nothing like people you love to remind you what’s really important in life.
   

 One last pro-tip, though.  If you’re going to leave the house to see them, make sure you change out of those pajama pants.