I have enjoyed my quarantine life; it has allowed me to get in touch with my plans and my health. It gave me time to awaken creative energy again. And, to plant my feet firmly on the ground and get real about where I want to be in 5 years. It made me realize I enjoy work from home.
Prior to the lockdown and work from home mandate I would have never asked for work from home as an option.
Leading people requires interaction and availability.
I Can Not Work From Home, Or So I Thought
Leading people at work for someone else’s purpose required this and I took ownership of it.
However, I see now that I did not realize how hard my work life had become. I didn’t realize how much I was giving for someone else’s purpose.
This time at home may have added a few years to my life expectancy. It has allowed me to see a clear path that I could not see before.
Work From Home Was Not In My Goals or Focus
It is easy when we are goal oriented and driving toward a desired outcome to forget to check in with ourselves. Much less, to see if this work is building toward our desired outcome. Getting really focused on checklists and supporting others at work; and, at home can sweep us away into this unintentional busy work.
Busy Work
That busy work we tell ourselves we do not do. Then, keeps us from really moving forward. Busy work can become comfort and prevent change.
Prevent growth.
Suggesting that you need to stop the busy work may even sting a little. It is true, it can be insulting that someone suggest that these ‘important’ things we do are not critical.
The Office Was Taking My Away From My Purpose
The role I had at work and the structure around me was very effective at aligning my effort and results to the corporate purpose.
Arguably they did pay me for this. And, it is up to me to maintain a healthy balance between work and life.
This balance is very difficult to achieve as you get deep into your career in senior positions. The corporate expectation on an individual contributor goes well beyond a commitment of time, travel and availability.
Depending on where you are financially; and, with your goals high level leadership positions may not be worth it for you.
The Carrot
Granting, most companies will dangle the promotional carrot in front of you. Attempting to keep you motivated to do more for them. Actually, this attention may be good news and something you desire.
At least, ensure your company follows through and you get the carrot. However, if they do not follow through do continue to do your job. And, refocus on your purpose. So, you can set yourself free.
I Missed My Work From Home
For me going back to work was a difficult transition. To tell the truth, I had enjoyed a newfound freedom in my daily routine. This had been lost for a long time.
While working from home I was able to contain the work hours more easily. Additionally, the decrease in travel was a very positive change.
Do not get me wrong, I love travel. Additionally, I feel travel is very important for expanding horizons. Work travel is different.
I do not enjoy being away from home over a hundred nights a year for work. I did not enjoy the multiple time changes each week. Nor, the redeye flights I had grown accustomed to that maximized my availability for my employer. As a consequence, making big withdrawals from my goals and wellbeing.
I Was Fitting Two Work Weeks Into Each Week
With this in mind, look up from your desk. And, up from your busy work.
Look out to the horizon and tell yourself what you see.
If you are still working from home or not yet returned to work make sure you are heading back to something that brings you closer to your goals. Yes, closer to your purpose.
Then, set boundaries for yourself and your time.
I will complete my employer’s paperwork to request the ongoing work from home option. I look at this as a good way to increase the profit margin on selling my time while I work on my freedom.
Additionally, all of our posts in the Career Series can be found here.
Finally, more great content can be discovered on our Youtube channel.
