Is remote work doing more harm than helping?
In the past weeks some of my clients, friends and ex-colleagues have told me how they’re working longer hours, getting lesser exercise and spending less time with family.
That indicates a big problem. And that problem is burnout.
While working longer hours you may see high productivity in short term, but the consequences can be disastrous in the longer term. So, please stop it!
What can/ should you do:
– Block your diary for breaks. Have short breaks if you’re worried about disruption to work.
– Use lunch breaks for exercise and walks. Can you attend meetings while walking?
– Talk to your colleagues about good practices and prepare a working agreement. (I’ve written about how to create these. Visit my blog.)
– Stick to your delivery or release planning process. Agile releases allow you to flex the scope. What would your stakeholders prefer? A massive surge in productivity now and a massive drop later; or a continuous flow of delivery?
What else can we add here?
I work with teams and individuals in improving their delivery practices. Connect with me if you need help.
