Working Remotely? 8 Simple Ways to Stay Connected
Hi there! We’d like you to meet Team At The Well: Sarah Waxman, Kimberly Greenberg, Hannah Schaeffer, and Lily Chen.
We’ve been a remote team since day one! It’s not easy working remotely, but over the past four years, we’ve found a few great ways to get to know each other, collaborate, and work together despite being in four different states across three time zones. So, we wanted to share some helpful tips for you and your teams during these times of social distancing!
First thing to remember is that Judaism is a tradition that’s rich with rituals! These are essential for making mundane moments holy, or as boundaries to make special moments.
The candles on Friday night and the flames of Havdallah on Saturday night are rituals that help us set a container around our Shabbat time. These rituals become essential for us to help structure our feelings, emotions, stories, and ideas.
For our own team, we’re taking a cue from these rituals! Working remotely is an opportunity to create virtual rituals to share with each other, as well as designate time to get work done!
Here are 8 of our favorite tips to conquer working from home (WFH) as a team:
1. Daily 15 Minute Check-ins
When working remotely, we don’t get to walk to each other’s desks or chat in the office kitchen, so it’s important to intentionally create time to check in with each other. Set a daily meeting on the calendar for a video chat using a service like Google or Zoom.
This helps give space for each of us to personally check-in, and share what we are working on, what we might need support with, and how to accomplish goals as a team. You can make this a moment to remind each other that you are not working alone, but that you are a mighty team, crushing work together!
2. Mind, Body, Heart Ritual
At The Well is known for doing personal check in’s and we love it. It can feel odd at first, but it has become one of the most important things we do as a team. We begin ALL our meetings (yes, even ones with other organizations, accountants, and contractors) with “Where are you located?” then, “How are you feeling in your mind, body, and heart?”
We find this helps us get grounded before a meeting. It also gives space for us to bring our humanity into it and show up as our full selves with our teammates. Allowing people to be open with their feelings and to let us know where they are mentally, physically, and emotionally gives us a chance to better support one another. If we know how people are feeling and where they’re at, we can adjust the way we work together.
Especially when working remotely, the need to be seen and heard is intensified. This ritual allows us to share where we are collectively before diving into the work. The more connected we feel as a team, the better we work together.
3. Set weekly intentions
It’s easy to get lost in the tasks at hand. As a small team, we are constantly juggling a never ending to-do list. Even if you’re on a large team, setting personal intentions are a helpful way to ground down and focus on what matters.
Every Monday we all choose and share our weekly intentions (you can see ours this week in the image above!). Our intentions remind us of our purpose and the value behind our work. When we work to value our own purpose, we show up motivated with love. These words become our “anchor words” each week. Every day, we can root into our word, and allow it to guide us through the week.
4. Name to Tame
When there is an elephant in the room, it is better to mention it rather than pretend it is not there.
If you have a child running around in the background, an anxious dog barking for attention, or calls from concerned parents coming in, it’s better to mention them, acknowledge that it's happening, and let it be okay.
It’s also simply the nature of this moment. For all of us, this is our new normal. Instead of feeling embarrassed, ashamed, or frustrated, just own it. We are all in this together. Naming it helps remove any stigma or anger you feel. Rather, it allows you to own how things are in the moment and that’s ok!
5. Set boundaries
When your home space becomes your workspace and you aren’t able to see everyone’s reactions in person, creating boundaries becomes very important, but they can be hard to set.
Here are some boundaries we suggest:
Block out solo, undisturbed work time on your calendar. This is a great way to let people know when to give you space to complete projects and not get inundated with messages or calls.
Set a lunch break where you can step away from the computer, relax, enjoy what you are eating and focus on nourishing and resetting your body.
Let people know the best ways and times to communicate with you virtually. Do you prefer phone calls, Slack messages, Zoom meetings, or emails? Discuss with your team your preferred means of communication and find a plan that works for the team.
6. Make your workspace holy
There is an entire book in the Torah about all the requirements for the Tabernacle. This reminds us that setting up our space is important, so make your new work area as sacred as you can.
But, you may not have the luxury of space! Maybe you’re sharing your home with kids, a partner, and/or furry friends, but work to find some things to make it feel special for you. If you can, keep your work area separate from where you relax (such as the bedroom or living room). This keeps your workspace and chill space separate. Not sure what to add? Consider surrounding yourself with plants, photos, or a little decor that inspires you during the day.
7. Take Breaks
Take time to step away from your workspace to stretch, exercise, and/or take deep breaths! It’s easy to feel caged up when you both work AND live at home. Taking a little stroll - even if it’s to the kitchen to stretch - helps stimulate and calm your mind and body.
8. Be there for each other
Remember to ask one another, “What are you working on?” and “What do you need help with?”
When working remotely, you may take for granted how often teammates are available in an office. Designate time in meetings to share what each person is working on and how you can come together to support each other's work. Together we can be great!
9. Your Roommates are your teammates
The people you live with are now part of your “team.” Let them know what you need to thrive. These are your new “water cooler” colleagues, but they are also your loved ones/roommates! So, be kind, ask them how they are, and see how you can help support them.
These are just a few of our tips for working from home. Today, rather unexpectedly, many of us are WFH. Remember, you are NOT alone. We are in this together. As a team who has been always working from home, we know that you can, too! We at ATW, believe in connecting people around the world, even if it’s digitally.
Email us at hello@atthewellproject.com if you have any questions or need more WFH support at this time!
