The new year is here, which means millions of Americans are making their yearly resolutions. Making resolutions each year is easy, but sticking to them can be stressful. Maybe your goals are health-related, or maybe they are about finding greater success at work. Hybrid work environments have become popular during the pandemic. If you’re new to a hybrid schedule, having a combination of in-office and remote work can help you retain some flexibility. Still, it can also be difficult and stressful to navigate.
Eighty-seven percent of employees want to work from home at least one day a week, according to the Pulse of the American Worker Survey. Furthermore, 68% of American workers say that hybrid work is the ideal model.
Whether you’re already working a hybrid schedule or it’s potentially on the horizon for your workplace, it’s important to establish a routine that fits you. Consider these tips for successfully working a hybrid schedule:
- Establish working hours. Setting consistent hours holds you accountable to yourself and your manager and your team. Since your working location varies daily, it’s important to set and stick to your hours.
- Mirror your home and office desk setups. Working at your desk should be comfortable, so set up your office and at-home desks to have similar organization and ergonomics. This can help you transition between work environments.
- Pack an office bag. Save time in the morning by having a bag ready the night before with office items like chargers, earbuds, notebooks, glasses and snacks.
- Segment your work tasks. Reimagine time management and your efficiency by categorizing tasks best done in the office versus at home.
- Interact with your team as much as possible. If everyone is working different hybrid schedules, you may feel isolated when working from home. Try to connect with your team on email, chat or other channels while also making the most out of in-person interactions in the office.
- Communicate openly with your manager. You’ve likely already worked with your manager to establish your hybrid schedule, but continue to communicate about any location changes, concerns or needs as they come up.
Managing a hybrid schedule doesn’t have to be challenging, but it can require self-discipline and organization to be prepared for the workday.
Whatever your goals for the new year are, work-related or not, you can find greater success by using the SMART goals strategy:
- Specific. The goal is clear and concrete. It identifies what you want to accomplish and how you are going to accomplish it. For example, instead of “lose 5 pounds,” you would reframe your resolution to be “lose 5 pounds in four weeks by exercising five times a week and cutting out processed foods.”
- Measurable. Track your progress. If you can see your progress, you’re more likely to continue working towards your goal.
- Attainable. You should be able to accomplish your end goal. Setting the bar high while making your resolution to start off the year strong can be tempting, but choosing goals that are unattainable will only create defeat.
- Relevant. Create a resolution that you care about and want to do. If it’s something you care about, you’re more likely to work on it and be successful. It should relate to your daily life in some way.
- Time-bound. Set a deadline for your goal in order to stay on track and measure your progress. If you have a deadline, you are also able to set smaller goals along the way that will make achieving your end goal easier.
You’re not alone if you feel like your resolution fails a few months into the year. A SMART resolution is a resolution that has a greater likelihood of being accomplished. Set yourself up for success this year!
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