5 Ways to Ease the Pain of Returning to the Office 5 Days a Week
I just worked a full week in the office for the first time in two years. It was something of a shock to the system, but also like riding a bike. If you’re planning to take the same plunge, here are my reminders on how to minimize the stress.
I love my hybrid work schedule. It’s the best of both worlds. You still get to see and interact with your colleagues in a real 3D space. But you don’t experience all the wear and tear from a daily commute.
For many years, I took the train from Connecticut to Grand Central Terminal five days a week and then finished my commute deeper into Manhattan. Sometimes I used the subway. Other jobs allowed me the flexibility to hoof it.
That’s just what you did. No questions asked. I optimized my process, cherished my ‘me’ time on the train and enjoyed walking on the streets of New York. But it all took some effort and organization.
I was recently reminded of what that five-day-dance feels like.
Back to the Future
Returning to my daily date with Metro North after my hybrid schedule for the past two years was absolutely a shock to my system. I did it for just one week.
(I know… cue the tiny violins.)
Of course, hybrid work can occasionally mean more days in the office. So, what’s the big deal? The problem is refreshing a skill set that you may have forgotten. Yes, a successful commute is a skill.
But I’m not talking about just showing up. (That’s a given.) It’s how much effort and stress it creates for you… every day.
I’ve done this for enough years to call myself a ‘professional’ commuter. And this professional says that the best commute is the commute you don’t have to think about, because you’re so good at it.
Time Shift
I think we’d all agree that the biggest challenge with returning to your daily commute is all those lost hours the traveling gobbles up. Now, I know that’s an obvious point, but if you don’t plan for that shift, the rest of your life can start to feel out of control.
So, you have to time-shift all those activities you had baked back into your home life.
Minimize Morning Decisions
The other critical factor is you must minimize any time related to your commute that’s actually not part of your commute. All of that should be pre-determined, scheduled and relentlessly followed like you’re training for a marathon. Because it is a marathon.
If you take a commuter train, you clearly need to show up every day at the station before the train does. That takes some precision, which requires leaving your home at the exact same time each day.
Here are five rules I follow to accomplish that.
- Wake up and have your breakfast at the exact same time every morning.
- Choose your work clothes the night before. That eliminates precious minutes that may get wasted deciding on a shirt color or finding a matching pair of socks (guilty).
- Ensure your work bag is packed exactly the same way every day. Your work badge needs to be in the same inside pocket. (I guarantee that will eliminate 99% of misplaced badge moments.)
- Pack a portable power bank (and cables) to charge up your tech later in the day. No matter how planful I am with charging up my iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, occasionally one of them needs a jolt of energy. (I can’t tell you how good it feels when a piece of tech starts screaming for power, and you’ve got the juice ready to go.)
- Grooming tip: If you’re planning a morning shave, and that’s not been a part of your regular WFH routine, bake in more time. It’s not going to go as fast as you’d think. (You can get away with a quick shave only if you’re doing it every day.)
Speed It Up to Slow Down
Showing up on time at the office is important, but reducing your stress throughout that process is the real key. The less you have to think about your commute, the better you’ll feel.
And that takes automating your ‘pre-flight planning’ as much as possible.
Being ruthlessly efficient will save time and free up brain space to help you regain your focus on the rest of your life.
Whether this is just for one week or every week, it’s my recipe for a healthier commute.
At Home with Tech 