This one is for anyone who is worried by the pandemic - or anything else.
We should be wary of anyone who says, 'All you have to do is....' Even so, researchers who've spent many years observing people who handle crises well have some ideas you might find useful.
One research team has developed a three-point strategy for developing resilience and their ' 3Cs of Hardiness' have been well tested.
Control - Making a plan
Commitment (in two parts)
Challenge - Seeing worries and adversity as an opportunity to develop our resilience
You might be thinking, 'I do that already!'
Great, but could you make more of each of those ideas? Making the strategy work through setbacks and recurring bouts of worry takes determination and courage.
Other researchers have come up with other useful observations we should add to the mix.
It depends.
If your role is suitable and your organisation supports you with good leadership and you do it well, WFH could be liberating, less expensive than commuting, greener and more productive.
Let's focus on how you can be more productive - and keep your health and sanity.
At Skillset we've always been free to work from home, so we'll add our suggestions to a selection of ideas from around the world.
You'll need to develop the skill of being 'noticed, but not often seen'.
Being connected isn't just a nice thing to do.
Researchers have shown that our need to connect with other people is one of the three universal motivators - vital regardless of culture. Others have shown that loneliness is about as hazardous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and that quality relationships help us live longer more productive lives.
If we are working from home, we need to put extra effort into our relationships. If working on relationships is not something you do spontaneously, add it to your to do lists. At least send a friendly email. Better still, Zoom or phone for a catchup. Your calls can be a mixture of work and personal stuff - whatever seems right for your relationship at work.
Face-to-face is best. If the Covid restrictions allow in your country, maybe arrange to meet colleagues for a regular coffee. In our team, anyone who is not training that day will be in the office Wednesdays where we take long coffee breaks, celebrate birthdays, review workshops and exchange ideas. It's been part of our culture for many years.
Working from home has challenges, but it's here to stay. Missing our colleagues has emerged as the biggest disadvantage, but WFH has its own acronym because so many people around the world have been forced into it and now more organisations and employees are seeing the benefits. It can be even more productive, saves the cost and time of commuting, helps save the planet and, medium-term, can reduce the cost of office space.