MIAMI, FL. – April 2020 … Apart, isolated, inaccessible and distant – these definitions of the word remote have taken on new meaning to the millions of professionals now working from quarantined homes around the globe. The COVID-19 virus has changed the working landscape, perhaps forever. Workers are cut off from their corporate support teams, colleagues and clients. Many are faced with new responsibilities of homeschooling and managing children. All are trying to function in a time of chaos, fear, financial uncertainty and profound frustration.
The hospitality industry has been especially hard hit and the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University is calling on its global team of experts, seeking advice and guidance for hospitality professionals in coping with this new and challenging environment. “FIU’s graduates span hospitality entrepreneurs, hotel company CEOs, vice presidents, visitor bureau executives, hotel general managers and other senior-level hospitality professionals,” says Michael Cheng, dean of FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. “We know we can tap this exceptional talent pool, as well as our remarkable faculty, now and in the long-term for helpful advice on managing through this extraordinary time.”
One of the first to respond was FIU Assistant Professor and Chaplin School alumni Lisa Cain, who, since the birth of her first child 5 years ago, has worked remotely from her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here, she shares home office adjustment tips gained from personal experience that may be exceptionally helpful to the millions of professionals—within and outside of hospitality–who are striving to cope with working from a home office due to COVID-19.
From Chaos and Meltdown, to Coping and You’ve Got This!
Welcome to the world of remote working. Isn’t it fun!? I have had the opportunity to work at home with one or both of my young children in the house for the past five years, and have learned a lot about how I work and how to function in times of chaos and meltdown. Some of it is smoke and mirrors, but a lot of it is understanding one’s own psyche, what helps motivate you, and what discourages you from being able to get through the tasks ahead. While what I have done may not work for everyone, particularly since this is an adjustment period for many now working from home and it takes time for the dust to settle and for a sense of normalcy to return, I can share with you a glimpse into what I do regularly and give you the rationale behind it. It is my hope that some of what I share will provide comfort and encouragement.
For me, it is all about mental health. If I am in a good state of mind, then I can tackle anything. And when I am in a good mental state, I make sure to accomplish the most difficult tasks while I have the energy. When I start to run out of steam, or when I don’t have the steam to begin with, I tackle the mundane tasks. And I also allow myself time to recharge and not think about the tasks. For some it may be a nap or watching TV. For me, it is going for a run. That helps to compartmentalize things and recharge my mental and emotional batteries. Do what works for you.
I highly suggest setting weekly goals for yourself. I have a rule that I do not deviate from, because I find that most of this is mentally charged. If I am stressed or overwhelmed, I get bogged down in the mire of all that there is to do and cannot bring myself to focus on the tasks at hand. I literally get mentally paralyzed. When working from home, I find it paramount to see the trees–and ignore the forest. So, to combat this, I limit myself to between 1 and 3 core tasks to accomplish each day, depending on what they are. And definitely no more than 15 core items in a week.
While it may seem silly to only have 1-3 items on a list for the day, you will quickly learn, if you haven’t already, that just like at the office you have to plan for responding to emails, responding to, in my case students and to my colleagues, to pop-up meetings (they may be called by a spouse, partner or child instead of a co-worker or boss, but they will happen), and the various other activities in a day that interrupt work flow. You still have to eat, use the restroom, and have water cooler talk. The players may be different, but the activities are the same.
Organization is key … and communication. I highly recommend communicating often and openly. Working from home is new to many and some may be uncomfortable with it. The more you communicate, the more confidence you will instill with each other and with this new way of operating.
This especially goes for your team and your colleagues. Let them know if you are running behind on a project on which you are collaborating. And be compassionate and empathetic when others are. We are all trying to adjust to this temporary new norm and it is better to be honest than to be silent. Silence engenders conjecture, frustration and resentment. Communication facilitates understanding and empathy.
Particularly for those with children, be patient with your kids, your work, and yourself above all. Know that this is an adjustment for everyone, not just you. And above all else, think of all of the times that you previously spent in meetings each day that you now have back. Use that “extra” time to allow your kids to spend time with/bug you and be ok with it. After all, this is temporary. Try to enjoy the time with your families, because you will all be back in the office and at school before you know it and you will never get the time back. Work is important, but at the end of the day, you are going to want one more minute with your family. Not one more minute of sending emails, writing contracts and research papers, and all the other things we do. Try to keep that in the forefront of your mind when you are frustrated with how the day is transpiring and take deep breaths.
Finally, I want to let you know that in the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management—as in nearly every other work community–we are a family. So, when your kids or spouse or partner are driving you mad and you just can’t take it, call one of your colleagues. I guarantee you the war stories that will come out of this will be epic. Maybe we can all get together and write a book about it when this is all said and done. But not today. I already have three items for today.
Take care and stay healthy! You’ve got this! You really do!!
