WFH Strategies - I’m sinking

[Dubiousdebbie]

Been WFH full time since the pandemic, can go into the office but everyone is WFH still so no point. I work for an international company so all meetings are zoom anyway.

I feel like I’ve lost all motivation, I’m doing the bare minimal to get by and it’s so unlike me, I’ve always been a top performer.

I’m left alone to manage my workload which just leads to me messing around on the internet and watching endless 80s sitcoms. The worse bit is I’m doing so few steps and all this inactivity must be storing up problems for the future.

How do I get myself out of the fug, I’m so unhappy

Following as I’m the exact same.

a small thing that has helped a little is going to the gym in the morning, and where possible, working out of the house such as a cafe. It’s not sustainable though as I’m spending a fortune!

I also go to the office once a fortnight.

You say that there isn't any point to going into the office, but there could be a simple point in that what you're doing isn't working for you. You'd have to get up earlier for the commute, get dressed into office clothes, maybe put some make up on, do your hair etc. All these things should make you feel better. More steps from travelling and you won't be able to watch TV .

Do you have performance targets? How long has your slump been going on?

Try a time management strategy like the Pomodoro technique: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique

Yes I have targets, reviewed at year end (was top performer last year) maybe about 2 months ish.

Actually it’s been a while since I looked at them / that might be a good start.

Me too OP! I spend hours on MN these days.

I'm struggling with this too, particularly as I manage/create my own workload to some extent.
I'm not sure of the answer (I may look for a different job) but it definitely helps to plan to work in different places (eg a cafe) some days and make it part of my timetable. Always get dressed properly and try to leave the house before work, eg for the gym or school drop off at least.
My most productive part of the day is the morning so I try and really get stuff done for this part, and schedule any 'donkey' work like admin for the afternoon.
I feel you though, it's hard particularly if you're used to being in a busy office. I realised I got a lot of energy/satisfaction from being in the office, and though I wouldn't want to go back to five days a week, it would definitely be good to be in a few days (sadly not possible for me)

Religious time tracking with an app like Toggl, and it also has the Pomodoro technique within it which ramps up my productivity massively. I also log any time during the work day that I'm not working as 'break'. It was quite scary being forced to see how much time I spent not working

disclaimer, I'm self employed and paid by the project not by the hour, but I was wasting so* much time.

Yes! Pomodoro v good (you can get an chrome extension which keeps track). Also blocking websites (mumsnet 🙄) on your browser. On a work basis, sounds basic but plan what to do each day at beginning of day (you can do this on trello and link to pomodoro sessions if that helps) and tick off as complete. Gnarliest task best to do first.

I did this when I was really struggling last year and it did help. Because I know I only had to focus for a set period of time I was able to break the habit of faffing about.

I’m now back in the office half the week though and that’s made the biggest difference. Some days there aren’t many people there so I’m doing the same work as I would be at home, but the change of scenery helps anyway.

I loved it, but I absolutely couldnt to it full time because like you I end up on the sofa scrolling tik tok or watching telly.

Things that helped me:

Get up, showered, dressed, and then go for a walk so you 'commute' back to your desk.
Make sure you have a proper office set up - if this is something thats full time then invest in a proper office chair and equipment. If you have the space, try and set up an office in a room away from your living area so at the end of the day you can close a door on your work.
Set yourself a work to do list every morning so you know what kind of day you are going to have.
Could you work in a shared space? Office, cafe, wework type set up?

I would go into the office, personally. Maybe two days a week to start with. Tuesdays and Thursdays to break the week up, maybe?

Even if it seems pointless as regards your work, it isn't pointless in other ways -- getting you out of the house, step count, a simple change of scene.

I started going back into the office and it made a huge difference to my motivation and output. The office might be really quiet some days, but the structure I used to have pre-lockdown of my cycle commute boosting my mood, putting on nice clothes, professional atmosphere, gym at lunchtime etc just makes me feel more like me and more disciplined. If WFH is no longer working for you, it’s worth giving the office a try, it might surprise you.

Like others I use pomodoro technique. I have an app which silences other stuff on my phone (unless I choose not to) and work for 25 minutes. Then go and move around - walk to the garden, make tea, do a job. Never more than five minutes and then back to another 25 minutes.

I am to do 6 in the morning and six in the afternoon, although often manage more if I’m focused.

Also bear in mind that the human brain naturally tends to fall into a pattern of only being properly productive for about four hours a day. Which four hours that is varies from person to person.

WFH has allowed me to structure my day around the times that I know my brain is likely to be really motoring - for me this is mid-morning and around 9pm. In between those times I do tasks that don't need a lot of brain power (filing emails, admin, household chores) or I relax and watch a film, browse MN or something.

Where is your manager?
do you only work if someone is over your shoulder?

but is it the job itself? Do you like your job?

I will admit, going back into the office 2 days a week has made a big difference to me.

so I would suggest speaking to your manager and just say you’re finding it hard being home and if there’s anything that can be done about going back. But no one may be there!

Oh, and exercise. Schedule it in, clock up the steps.

I think so many people are now in your position OP. I think if you go in then others may follow - they are probably sitting there thinking what’s the point if no one is in but if the office is open there must be a few people in I would think even if not your team you can go and sit with them. No amount of techniques help the mental side of it long term if you don’t like wfh.

It’s an odd set up - one manager in London and one in Dubai. I do a role for each. (Which means I can hoodwink and be busy with the other role if someone is chasing) I’m good at the jobs but I can’t say they set my heart on fire (but I’m not sure I’ve ever found anything that does)

I always had momentum before. I could start. Now I just look at my screen and can’t start.

Think I am going to have to force myself back to the office for a day a week

The answer seems to be that you need to go I to the office. Perhaps everyone is thinking there's no point. Be the leader.

As a pp said. Shower, dress for work, hair, make-up, quick walk.

Oh I meant to say for the poster who was asking if the manager is in the office - I’m based in the north (I’ve only actually met both managers once in person)

Actually thinking about it, this is the first time that’s ever happened in my career - having a manager not in the same location.

it’s ridiculous needing a manager in the same location though - I’m a 43 year old woman - I’m a professional - I should be able to start!

op I changed jobs when they made us permanently wfh because of this. I also found myself going a bit crazy sat at home.

I now work in a role where they ask us to come in “sometimes” and it feels a bit pointless because none of my close team work out the same office. It’s all over zoom.

However I’m in the office most days. I know I’m wasting money on the bus and sometimes lunch but my mental health is better for it. You can’t piss about and watch tv whilst you are in the office so it helps you focus. So I would go even if it’s quiet. Start with two days a week and see how you go.

Go back to the office at least for a change of scene and see if it helps a few times a week?

I’d go into the office even if no one else is there, I go into the office 2 times a week and sometimes others are there and sometimes they’re not but even on the days that others aren’t there I still find it beneficial

Get up and get out of the house. Get 30 minutes of daylight on your skin every morning. A walk will feel like a 'journey to work', which mots people need.