7 tips for managing work-life in COVID-19 impacted times

These days I have been reflecting on workload and prioritization as we continue to work in #COCID19 impacted times. Many of us and particularly those working in healthcare are experiencing levels of stress and fatigue for an extended period of time now. While I don't have the answer, I did have some thoughts to share that might help a little.

1. Remember, it's OK not to be at your best during a global pandemic! The consequences of emotional stress are real and it will make everything feel that much harder. Cut yourself, your colleagues and (most importantly) those you love a lot of slack.
2. Don't underestimate the real costs of the learning curve. Long-term working at home/ in a crisis setting and applying new technology are new skills for most of us and it is not surprising that there is a learning curve. That is OK - just make sure you allow for the time (and a little frustration!) to make it work.
3. Knowing that we might be at this for a while longer, now is a good time for all teams to check in on what has been working and what you would like to change. If you can, try and agree on some ground rules regarding working hours (no meetings / emails before or after certain times, meeting free Fridays, shared lunch times, etc). 
4. As a people leader, two important questions to ask yourself are: 1) What have I been doing that might be inadvertently adding to my team's workload? 2) Am I really listening to what my team is telling me, and adjusting priorities and team norms accordingly? I asked myself these questions and, if I am being honest, I wasn't as pleased with the answers as I had hoped.
5. As a team member, two important questions to ask yourself are: 1) Am I speaking up when I have questions or feel overwhelmed? If not, 2) How can I find a way to have those conversations with the help of my manager or peers? We won't make progress until we get into the habit. Try it... you may be (positively!) surprised at the result.
6. For those in virtual meetings all day: Turn your camera off occasionally and/or try doing some meetings as phone calls. It is no fun staring at yourself for 12 hours a day! 
7. Take a minute every day to say thank you to someone. A colleague who helped with a project. A friend who provided the right words, at the right time. A loved one, just for being there. Together we are #StrongerTogether. I hear amazing stories everyday about how we are supporting each other; your thank you will mean more than you can imagine for the person who just might need to hear it that day!

There is no perfect solution to making this all work, but if we commit to open communication and adjusting as we go along, we can make it easier and continue to deliver for patients. Stay safe, everyone!