Life has changed so drastically for all of us in the past several months and has forced us to “set up shop” in our homes overnight!  Going virtual is the new order of the day and has challenged us to find resourceful ways to make the best of our circumstances.  Whether we have a designated working office space or not, we have had to be creative, as “stay-at-home” orders, home schooling, caretaking, and other competing priorities have both challenged our time and physical space.  But how can we maximize what we do have and put our best professional image forward in creative ways, even during these challenging times?  I would like to share a few helpful tips to keep one’s professional edge and to help maximize wellbeing and productivity.

1. Attire:  While staying in pajamas is incredibly tempting, it is vitally important to dress like you would while at your physical workspace and/or how you would dress if attending a workshop or meeting.  In bringing our best selves to the virtual workspace, image matters, and we also want to model the professional behaviors we seek to encourage in the young people and communities we serve.  Leading by example is key, and how we “show up” impacts our personal level of work readiness and engagement, as well as, how others enter into the virtual workspace.  

2. Workspace:  Having a designated workspace, when possible, is key to helping our minds get ready to “go to work.” For some, it’s a separate room with a desk, for others it can be the kitchen table or a folding table in the corner of your bedroom.  Physical boundaries can help you keep your focus during the day and shut off your work at night. Wherever may work best for you, try to create a warm, inviting, and colorful environment that supports your ability to work and be productive, while also ensuring a level of privacy for phone meetings or video conferences.  Using a headset, or earbuds with a microphone, can further support privacy and minimize background noise and distractions. 

3. Location:  Sit upright facing a window or bright light source, if possible, to keep you energized but also to ensure participants are able to see you clearly when on video conferences.  You don’t want your image to look dark, grainy or unwatchable. It is challenging to engage virtually if we can’t “see” you or if you can’t see anyone clearly in your meetings.  You can do a self-check with your camera and make the necessary adjustments so your image is crisp and clear.  Might there be a table lamp or floor lamp that can be moved to your office space/corner workspace to illuminate the area during your working hours?

4. Frame the Camera:  Ensure you frame your camera so that if feels natural and allows you to look directly at the lens.  Positioning yourself so that the camera only shows the midsection up is best to avoid any awkward angles.  People would rather see you than looking at your forehead or ceiling ☺ also check your background view to ensure it is as neutral as possible, so that the participants focus on you rather than your home office background.  Lastly, be mindful of what participants are able to view around you and behind you when on camera.  Select an area in your home office/workspace that is appropriate and you are comfortable displaying to others.  Try and avoid having any personal or confidential items within view that would challenge your privacy in any way (i.e., clothing items, medications, personal data, etc.).

During these times of stress and uncertainty, creating an effective workspace from home, to the best of one’s ability, and following helpful tips can help us stay on top of our “A” game and support our overall wellbeing.  For additional strategies, please click on the links below.  Stay safe, stay motivated, and stay strong!

Resources:

https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/marketing-resources/organizational-culture/work-from-home-tips

https://www.owllabs.com/blog/video-conferencing-etiquette

Contributed by Belinda Passafaro, Senior Consultant, Development Without Limits