‘Know Thyself’ — Wisdom for new Home Workers

Lockdown may be lifting but the pressure and importance of work must go on.

Along with the many pitfalls of working from home — chiefly, the number of distractions and personal temptations to procrastinate continually delaying any actual productivity — comes the issue of where and what primary tools to get right.

If you find yourself — or have made yourself — a new home-worker, then you must be aware that your ancient human nature will continue regardless. Home-working and video-chats, ‘remote working’ have been big buzzwords during these hard times (which continue to be endured by businesses trying to keep their oars in the water). But, even from someone used to working at home, it’s possible to view such buzzwords with scepticism — and realism.

Can the dynamism of an office with a tight, friendly team all working together and bouncing ideas off each other ever be ‘replaced’? Well, it can at least be replicated — somewhat — at a distance (and much depends on the nature and demands of the job). But there are lots of articles banging on about how the office will be changed forever. Well, that will only depend on whether employees can be relied upon to arrive at a tricky balance on their own, with the most effective home setup.

Human Nature

But back to what human nature really is. It’s the desire to be motivated, to socialise and collaborate, to exercise and get tired out, to grow food, discover things, build or renovate, master new things and be creative; to feel in control of our environment. We are not machines that can just plug into the term ‘home-working’ without it possibly breaking down, or more simply: failing.

Having family at home makes it even more necessary to appreciate this nature. For more active types of people, working at an (office) home is impossible. At the very least, touching base regularly with a boss, colleague, partner (i.e. a supportive ‘motivator’) is crucial, along with keeping ahead of deadlines to sustain your own motivation. ‘No man is an island’, even in this age of technological ‘empowerment’ — and separation.

You might be lucky enough to have a secondary outbuilding or garage already spare to retro-fit for working. Lucky perhaps — but you still have to…