The past two years have shown us that quite a bit can be accomplished remotely, forcing the debate to be more around how much should be done remotely. As leaders, the challenge in answering this question may largely depend on our own ability to understand what we each need from work vs. what we need to do the work.

Separating habits or judgements from our identity takes intention. I was in the habit of constantly doing something. It helped define who I was – someone who accomplished things and didn’t waste their “free” time. The truth was – it wasn’t serving me. Frankly, it was exhausting as well as depriving me of the time and mind space I needed to really think in the creative, strategic, imaginative way I wanted to.

I received my second vaccine a month ago. In the months, weeks, and days leading up to this, I had a list of the places I was going to fly off to and all the things I was going to do the moment I was immunized. Sun, warmth, and beaches permeated my thoughts. I thought transitioning from living with angst around my safety, back to my pre-COVID ways of being, would be as easy as a light switch turning on.

The reality of “return to work” is swiftly gaining momentum. In speaking with many clients over the past few weeks it is apparent this looming transition has some looking towards it with eager anticipation and others with sheer anxiety. In the meantime, “hybrid” has entered our vernacular at a never imagined rate. Most organizations have come to the realization that productivity did not suffer while working from home, and flexibility and balance will be critical in retaining happy, committed employees.

It seems hard to imagine it has been a year since the world changed from COVID-19. In a year where we have lost so much, take a moment to recognize what you have gained. Honor your capacity to take on a challenge, stay the course and bring yourself to the other side.

By shifting our mindset, we can find joy in what is familiar.

Anchoring our celebrations on what it means to be a community is way of challenging the headwinds we are facing as a nation.

Our move from physical to virtual workspaces removed the natural boundaries and rituals that defined our norms. A great benefit of virtual is you can be anywhere. The great detriment appears to be it means anytime and any way.

Juggling the demands of working from home, home schooling your kids and margin family life is stressful. Here are some ideas I have found that help make it manageable.

You are not commuting so you get to sleep later than ever. Why then are you so tired over the last few weeks? Stress as well as learning how to shop, cook and work differently can be exhausting….

While we are enjoying the time working from home offers, commuting serves a greater purpose than physically moving us from one place to other.