Working From Home Saves Lives

TimeXtender’s X-People around the world are joining with hundreds of millions of others to slow the spread of the coronavirus by working from home. Since the 70s, the portion of office workers doing their work from home has grown every year. Some have been motivated by the financial and time burden of their commute, some by the scarcity of office space, and some by access to jobs in other regions, countries, or continents. Before we knew what social distancing was, about 5% of Americans worked from home. Now entire cities have confined their citizens to shelter in place hoping that working from home will slow the spread of the virus and save lives.

In recent years most of the technical challenges of remote work have been sorted out. At TimeXtender, everyone has access to the same technology at home as at the office. The only thing we cannot do at home is meet face to face with customers, partners or fellow X-People. We are also learning fast that we have ready access to more distractions, more interactions with family members, and the Siren’s song from the refrigerator. Here are three selected tips X-People are using to keep going through this time of change. We hope you will find them useful.

Tip 1: Create a Physical - Virtual Office
• Have a specific work space and time
• Get ready for work keeping your normal morning routines
• Talk about “going to work” or “finishing work” to those around you
• Give time to yourself, meditate, go for walks, drink water

Tip 2: Connect With People
• Turn on your video camera to obtain the human connection
• Ask about their work situation, be compassionate and understanding of the change people are going through
• Show people your office and dare to be vulnerable.
• Have meetings with co-workers just to catch up, join online social events like Friday's Happy hour or mindful recharge, if offered.

Tip 3: Find Ways to Get Things Done
• Focus on what's in your circle of influence ; make sure your list is moving
• Establish timelines and check in with yourself and your team
• Move items that cannot be done remotely to another list
• Celebrate wins in new and interesting ways

In the weeks ahead we will be sharing personal X-People stories from around the world about working from home in this time of learning and change. We are grateful for our team mates, our partners, and our customers and know this shared experience and the new things we are learning will contribute to stronger relationships and new ways of working together. May all of you and your families remain safe and healthy.