I think it’s safe to assume that most of the people who read Creator’s Compass work remotely or hope to one day.
If you do, you probably love the perks of this working style:
→ Less commuting time. → More autonomy. → Greater flexibility.
I personally don’t see myself going back to an office any time soon, but I feel that some creators sell remote working as this perfect scenario with ZERO downsides.
So today we’re going to talk about the hidden pitfalls of remote working that nobody talks about (and what we can do to avoid them).
Let’s get into it.
💭Thought of the week
Remote working sounds like a dream come true.
Working from anywhere, anytime… What’s not to like?!
But the truth is, as with most things in life, remote working comes with its unique set of challenges:
→ Isolation. → Physical inactivity. → More time indoors.
And what I’ve found most challenging is that, without good habits in place, it can be really hard to switch off from work (especially in busy periods).
I’ve been there, and let me tell you: this is one of the surest ways to burn out.
As owner of a remote agency, I take this very seriously, so I’ve been working closely with my team to create a series of remote working “best practices” to prevent work-from-home burnout across the board.
They might be useful for you too, so I thought I’d share them today in this week’s newsletter.
Image credit: @golimitless
🤕 How To Prevent WFH Burnout
Create a shutdown routine or ritual: Just like we have rituals to start our day (some go for a walk or have a nice cup of coffee) ending it with a specific routine can signal to our brain that it's finally time to relax.
Maybe it’s as simple as closing all open tabs on your laptop, creating a to-do list for the next day, changing into more comfortable clothing, or maybe scheduling a workout for the end of your workday.
Find what flicks that switch for you.
Set clear boundaries: When your home is your office, it's easy for the lines to get blurred.
Try setting up a dedicated workspace, if you can, and stick to defined work hours. Let those you live with know these hours too - this is like putting up an invisible "Do Not Disturb" sign.
💡 I like to use different Google Chrome profiles for my work and personal life, it helps you to not accidentally come across something related to work on the weekends.
Organize your workspace: The current state of your desk is a reflection of your current state of mind. (Messy desk = messy brain)
As a result, it’s always worth taking some time to tidy up your workspace. Your work environment can be a place you enjoy being in. Personalise it with things that make you smile like plants, pictures, and some motivational quotes always do the trick.
Make yourself unreachable: Last Christmas break, I deleted all work-related apps from my phone including Gmail and most social media apps.
Now, I appreciate that uninstalling your work apps every time you’re out of office might be a pain, but at the very least try to turn off your notifications. I highly recommend the free app Boomerang which can ‘pause’ your inbox for a fixed time.
Find time to work out: Don’t you find it curious that something that’s objectively exhausting can make us feel so energized?
Exercise is a miracle worker. Even a short walk or a 20-minute yoga or meditation session can help reduce stress and increase your energy levels. Plus, it's a great excuse to step away from your desk!
This is the big one for me - I’m actively trying to make exercise a daily non-negotiable.
Plan a trip: Sometimes, we just need something to look forward to...
I’m a huge advocate for having as much fun as possible and this was a key factor for me getting out of burnout in 2021.
I’ve realised that I’m somebody who has to have things in the diary! Whether that’s planning to watch a film in the evening or meeting up with a friend for coffee, it doesn’t even need to be big.
If you know me by now you’ll also know I love going on trips! A new environment can be game-changing and always makes me feel energised and productive. With plans booked, a countdown starts which provides meaning to the days leading up to it.
Let’s action this right now. Open your calendar 📆
→ Schedule in 1x activity to look forward to for the next 4 weeks. → Have 1x memorable event planned in the next month. → Block out one full week off for a holiday this quarter.
P.S. If you’re a remote worker, reply to this email and let me know how you maintain a healthy work-life balance. I want to crowdsource this community’s best tips!
💡A perspective to consider
On the topic of burnout, I love this visual by Hannah Wilson. Find the people, activities and environments that lift your energy. I’m going to go as far as tracking this in a Notion page 💡
- I compiled a list of resources to overcome burnout. I’ll update this as I find the best ways to help you stay energised. I hope it helps you and please share it with a friend!
- This article sums up exactly what got me out of burnout. A key message: remember that life is meant to be fun! We could all do with more play in our lives.
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