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.

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.

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….

Physically working in an office offers us social touch points that ground us and offer opportunities to re-energize. Creating these in a work from home environment can be critical in keeping yourself engaged, connected and happy as you manage through this new reality.

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