If you have disposable income, saving some of that money is always a good thing to do. Your personal savings can become a fallback for sudden emergency expenses. However, this abstract cost that might never come probably isn't enough to convince you to keep saving consistently. Instead of making the reason negative, turn it into a positive personal goal. This will keep you on top of regularly saving and looking forward to the day that you can spend that money.
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You’re powering through your morning. You’re in the zone. Getting so much done. But then you get Slacked with an innocent question: “Gotta moment to discuss the Jefferson thing?”
“💯!” you answer instantly and get pulled off-task for 15- 20 minutes. And just before you’ve solved the Jefferson issue, your manager’s supervisor’s EA emails you to calendar a call about the supervisory role of the supervisory board that supervises supervisors.
You’re knocked off your horse. Again and again. It seems to take forever to climb back in the saddle again. And you find it impossible to get back on-task again.
What is going on? Turns out there’s a name for this: Context Switching.
Stylistcarried an eye-opening article on this about two months ago. (Sorry. I’d have read it sooner, but my context kept switching and I couldn’t get around to it until now.) Amy Beecham described something we’ve all felt but might be unable to put into words.
Summarizing the results of a study titled “The Cost of Interrupted Work,” Beecham notes that “while about 82% of all interrupted work is resumed on the same day, it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back to a task after flow is broken.”
Beecham’s not talking about ten-minute-and-under "microbreaks” which are helpful. No, context switching is the problem, scattering our focus, depleting our energy, impacting the quality of our work.
Caitlynn Sendra and Lin Grensing-Pophal observe in “Addressing Digital Distractions to Work” (via SAP, a company specializing in enterprise application software and cloud solutions):
The problem employees face “is that distractions can interfere
with the capacity to focus and dedicate the attention needed
for the work that we’re doing,” says Shanique G. Brown,
assistant professor of industrial-organizational psychology
at Wayne State University, whose research focuses on
cognition in the workplace.
Brown says that the constant shifts in our attention from
one application to another and one screen to another
relies on an individual’s working memory capacity,
which allows us to preserve bits of information when we’re
working on a single task. These “switching costs” sap our
strength to think – to process information that we need to do our jobs well.
It’s clear the experts agree. Context Switching is a real problem. How do we avoid such distractions and still get things done? These Switching Costs muddy our thinking, sap our strength and interrupt how we process the information that we all need to succeed at our jobs.
Harvard Business Review’s Steve Glaveski tells us that: “The average employee is getting interrupted 50 to 60 times a day, and about 80% of these interruptions are unimportant.” Important or not, the effect is the same. We’re feeling “less productive and more stressed than ever.”
Glaveski offers ten handy tips for the harried worker. They’re simple to do but, given the pace we keep, these actions can get lost in the shuffle. They range from Practice Asynchronous Communication (i.e., you don’t have to respond to an e-mail right this very moment!!!) to Limit Layers of Approval (tasks can be achieved without everyone in the entire Continental United States having to sign off before a job’s completed).
And rather than being constantly available and checking messages all day long, Batch Checkemail, IMs, social media, and text messages, at pre-scheduled times. Add meeting-free zones to your calendar. Use a Signaling Mechanism — turn off alerts, wear headphones, even instant message your team before you enter the zone — to indicate that you’re focusing on a project, so they shouldn’t disturb you.
How do we avoid distractions in the office and perform well, take control of our days, and boost our confidence? We’ve got to eliminate — or at least cut down on — the sense of urgency that permeates workplaces around the world.
Steve Glaveski further shared in an article in Talent.Realized: “In a world of push notifications, email, instant messaging, and shrinking office space, we’re becoming increasingly distracted at work...As a result, people are spending little time in what psychologists call “the flow state,” a space where people are up to five times more productive, according to research from McKinsey.”
His tips are well worth checking out – odds are he’s got a bit of advice you need but just didn’t realize. Other resources are easily found online. That’s how big an issue Context Switching has become.
It’s been about 4-ish minutes since you clicked on this article. I’ll stop here so you can get back to work. Just let me deal with this one thing first, and then...I’ll get back to you.
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Ever since the pandemic popularized (or forced) virtual meetings and, countless companies adopted the hybrid work model or went completely virtual. And once the public health crisis was declared over, we remained confined to our desks in our kitchens and attics working from home.
And it’s not just work. Doctor’s TeleHealth appointments, therapy visits on Zoom, asynchronous classes. It seems like nobody wants to meet in-person anymore.
I’m guilty of this. Ever since COVID-19 hit the world, I often opt for virtual appointments over in-person visits. I’ve gotten a bit shy, a bit lazy, and a bit reclusive. It’s a struggle to motivate myself to go anywhere some days.
According to Gallup, 54% of employees in the United States are under the hybrid work model, and 27% are exclusively remote. For many, this is ideal…and the number of hybrid workers is only expected to rise over time.
When I speak to older generations, they think it’s a fate worse than death. How lonely, they say. How sad you must be to not have an office culture. What could you possibly do all day?
But, times have changed. We must adapt to the ever-growing popularity of virtual work…plus with outrageous office rents, more companies are opting to sell their spaces or break their leases and fully embrace the savings that remote work provides.
And while hybrid work can allow you to spend more time with your family and children and embrace a more flexible schedule, it can also be detrimental to many worker’s mental health.
The Blurred Lines Of Work-Life Balance
Nick Morrison via Unsplash
One of the major setbacks when working the hybrid lifestyle is that you often don’t know when to shut down your laptop. Sure, your hours are 9-5…and in an office, everyone is packing up and leaving at that exact time.
But when it comes to WFH, you can get away with much more. You can run errands during the day, do your laundry in the building or take a workout class you’ve always wanted to try, or a delicious nap you absolutely needed…and while these are fireable offenses in-office, you can make it up by working an extra hour or two at night in the comfort of your own home.
It’s that procrastinator mentality that causes you to struggle. Suddenly, you’re convinced you can work until late at night. And in some cases, employers ask you to.
I’ve heard horror stories from friends about how their bosses made them work until midnight…and that it was even included in her contract. Now that she’s granted the freedom to work from home, her hours are ambiguous.
Before you know it, you’re working intermittently-nonstop throughout the week with no clear routine. What used to be a 9-5 job is now 8:30-midnight…but there’s no overtime payment.
Feeling Isolated?
Whenever someone asks if I’m lonely while working from home…my immediate answer is no. I live in a small city where all of my friends are within a few blocks’ radius, and most of us work from home all week.
Beyond that, I have two roommates who also have the pleasure of working from home. So, I’m not missing out on human interaction by not going into an office. However, I know I’m a lucky case.
Everything’s subjective, so remote work can be an ideal solution for those who are anxious about commuting or being around new people. But for others, it can be equally anxiety-inducing to be stuck in their house day-in-day-out. According to SHRM,
“Fully remote (40%) and hybrid work (38%) are associated with an increased likelihood of anxiety and depression symptoms compared to in-person work (35%), according to an analysis by the Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI), an Oakland, Calif.-based nonprofit research organization,”
If your home isn’t a sanctuary, you may be overwhelmed by working from home. Whether it’s constant domestic interruptions, trouble staying focused, or feeling disconnected from colleagues or family members, it can be tough to balance.
Plus, the hybrid model implies a few days in the office and a few days at home. So, cultivating office relationships when you rarely see your coworkers in-person can be a battle.
An All or Nothing Mentality
Rivage via Unsplash
As a society, we seem to have adopted this “All or Nothing” mentality. We’re either all in on our work, all day and night, or we’re doing none of it. The lack of clear boundaries between work and real life has caused a huge pain point for many at-home workers.
While there are many factors that contribute to your capacity and bandwidth for work, it’s easy to burn out if you have no real regimen. Constantly working at any hour you wish will just end up building stress and draining time to yourself and for your loved ones.
So, before you snowball out of control because I’ve scared you out of the hybrid work model, don’t worry. Here are a few steps to alleviate the pain of working virtually and make it a bit more manageable and a lot less stressful.
How To Maintain Your Mental Health While Working Hybrid
Work From A Cafe
Unsplash
I know it may sound chaotic, but a good pair of noise-canceling headphones will do wonders. If it’s not a cafe, head outside with your personal hotspot, or even in a library.
The point is to find somewhere that isn’t your home, but isn’t your office either. Try a few places during the week and see what works best for you.
Schedule Time To Work
I get it, you have a lot you want to do in a day…and working from home makes that even more possible. But, you need to get into a routine of working (and not working) at the same time.
Schedule that workout class you’ve always wanted to try during your “lunch break.” Then after the class, you can eat as you work. Schedule small blocks of 30-minute breaks where you can accomplish a quick grocery run, put your laundry away, or whatever you want to do.
Get Outside More
Despite the fact that you’re working outside, fresh air and sunlight can give you a fresh outlook on life. Many people don’t get outside when they’re at their office jobs, so take advantage of the outdoors while you can.
Go for a walk a few times a day, even if it’s just around your block. Give yourself some time away from your screen and you’ll feel fantastic.
Meditate!
Katerina May via Unsplash
Meditation isn’t for everyone, I know. But, focusing on your breathing for as short as ten minutes can help calm your anxiety and lower stress levels. Downloading guided meditation apps is a terrific way to access thousands of guided meditations and talks that can help with any problem.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, disempowered, and out of control, meditation will help you disconnect from your problems, transcend them, and reassess how you want to act and react.
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April 18 came and your taxes were not ready. So you filed a tax extension. Well, you should file an extension, if you haven't already. Form 4868 is one of easier tax forms to fill out and it will give you an extra six months to get your taxes together. Everyone is eligible for a tax extension. The extension gives you until October 17 to file your taxes, but keep in mind if you owe the IRS money; it is still due April 18. Once you've filed an extension, what happens next?
For one, you need to finish preparing your taxes. Keep a detailed order of notes for business, medical, mortgage, and debt expenses. File your taxes sooner than later. Just because the new due date is October 15, doesn't mean wait till then to file.
Form 4868 requires an estimate of how much in taxes you owe. If you don't owe the IRS money or are getting a refund, just be sure to file taxes by October 17. Since you've filed your extensions and you do not owe any money, you won't be hit with any penalties or fees. However, the longer you wait to file, the longer it will take to get a refund.
If you do owe money, if possible pay a portion or the entire amount when you file. If you have already paid taxes through your W-2 or paid taxes each quarter, you might not have to pay as much when you file the extension.
Not paying all the taxes you owe on time can lead to penalties and interest fees. The fees add up depending on how much you owe and how long you haven't paid the tax. Each month you don't pay, a .5 percent penalty is added to the tax. The maximum you can be charged on the late fee is 25 percent of the unpaid tax. On top of the late fee, interest will compound daily on your taxes.
There are several options for payment plans with the IRS. A free 120-day payment agreement is the best option if you can pay off the taxes in four months. Otherwise, an extra $52 is charged for a direct debit agreement or a$105 standard deduction agreement. Paying your taxes sooner than later can avoid more penalties and ruining your credit. You can be sent to jail if you're intentionally not paying your taxes—see Al Capone.
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