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

But I am a very lazy person in a busy person industry so I don’t feel bad.

In addition to the other techniques suggested, have a look at 'eating the frog'. Basically means do the crappy stuff first so it's out of the way. So you're up, showered, dressed, installed at workstation, eat a few frogs, have lunch, pomodoro the afternoon.

Focusmate

absolute game changer

The only time I watch TV during the day is if I'm ill. It's a waste of good daylight otherwise, but I admit I'm rather addicted to the sun.
I took up gardening as a hobby which is ideal around WFH as I can do 10 mins at a time as a break then get back to my laptop feeling renewed. I'm thinking about work as I water, pot up etc as well.

Love this too. Tho I use my ‘frog’ to do every single other job first. Reverse frog maybe

Crikey, what do you do for a living?
I'm a TA in a SEN school and never stop!
Watching sitcoms ? Seriously ?

Think you need another more active job?

When you look at your screen and can’t start, what emotions might you be avoiding? Might be worth looking into the psychology of procrastination. Are you avoiding achieving for some reason? Are you a perfectionist and avoiding doing a poor job rather than just getting in and doing something? Are you bored in your job? You said you’re a top performer, so what’s the next goal you want to achieve? Do you need to widen your horizons eg look into a professional qualification or a sideways move to liven things up?

I do not have a manager over my shoulder but there is still no way I could get away with watching tv and browsing the internet during work time. This is what is giving others who WFH a bad reputation. As PPs have said I think you do need to go into the office for at least two days a week, even if there are not many people there it will change your focus and you can't watch tv. When I WFH I set a to do list for each day - 4 things that are main priority. I will usually do this at the end of the working day for the tasks that I need to do the next day. If they don't get them done they roll over to the next day and if I can squeeze more in that day even better.

No tv, no music, set work hours. No exceptions, you work between certain hours, have a defined lunch break.

Excersice helps me, DH and I go to a gym 3 times each week. Also, I use invigorating shower in the morning, that really helps me.

@SilverGlitterBaubles I totally agree that this is what gives people who WFH a bad name. I am sure plenty who work from home ARE very productive and get their work done. But Tv and surfing the net, well I'm shocked to be honest.

OP, I have worked from home in the past, for five years and I worked from the time I logged on, until the time I logged off ( with a 20 minute break ).

It's your job, you need to swap it for a more stimulating/ challenging role.

No music!!! How do you get through!

I have this problem too. Going back into the office one day a week has helped me no end. It turns out that I'm way more productive when at a desk in an office even though there aren't many people there. I'd honestly go in every day if I didn't have childcare issues for the rest of the week.

I also find I drink more water, eat better there, and feel refreshed when I get home. My mood has definitely improved as a result. The commute was also something I've missed which was a bit of a surprise! Some time to myself with the radio blaring is lovely.

It's worth trying if it's an option for you.

@Runaround50 It is infuriating, I am a big defender of WFH especially against the likes of the the DM, Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees Mogg implying that WFH is just as the OP describes.

I have my office at home which is "work". My work laptop doesn't have logins to any personal stuff and when I go into "work" I levee my personal phone outside the office at home.

I take regular breaks where I stick my head outside or grab a cuppa

I have mo choice though as I live up north and my office is in London. I've worked from home for years and was SE for a bit. Realistically it just doesn't suit everyone and if you need the office environment occasion ally why not go in once a week and see if it helps?

I think the difference though is people who have chosen to work from home prior to the pandemic chose that because it suited their role and their personality. A lot of people didn’t choose this, it just happened to them, because of the pandemic.

I would never have taken a job working from home full time because I knew it wouldn’t suit me, and I don’t think it’s how my role is best delivered. I don’t watch sitcoms or surf the net and I feel like I’m busy, but I know I’m not as productive as I am in an office environment and I will procrastinate more at home. I really hated working from home full time, it was terrible for my mental health, and I’m still adjusting to the hybrid set up I’m in now. If that means I’m giving working from a home a bad name, well it probably should, because I didn’t choose this and didn’t want to do it.

Alright alright stop with the moral outrage. Put your pearls away.

I’ve been an extremely productive member of staff for over 20 years in a company that pays shit loads of tax to the UK government - I’m experiencing a blip, a dropped stitch in the tapestry of my career and I’m asking for help

@Remembertotakeabreak There is absolutely some truth in your point, the latest job I’ve never received any training for (social media related) and I’m terrified of fucking it up/not producing good work.

@SilverGlitterBaubles absolutely.
I mean, even if you ARE doing such likes whilst WFH, I am not so sure I would be posting it on a public forum. It makes feels bit cross really, especially the 80's sit coms!

@BobbinHood yes I see your point.
I guess it makes tough reading when you have been working throughout the pandemic with vulnerable young people, with barely time to breathe.
Obviously that's my chosen line of work for now and it's a world away from a role which is WFH.

@Runaround50 You’re right the 90s sitcoms were much better