Poised to return to the office? Ready or Not, here it comes! Whether you’ve returned to the office or are getting ready to do it. Listed below are some useful & tested tips upon your return to the “real” office.
- BRING CASH/DON’T FORGET YOUR DEBIT/CREDIT CARD: Some Bodega’s only accept cash now. While some trendy coffee curators only take cards. It’s a bit strange where I work in Downtown, Honolulu, but it’s usually one or the other not both. And you may need your cash, to split the bill if you go out to eat with friends or co-workers. Or a Card if you are treating your customers. So, Bring them both, cash and card back to the office.
- WATER: Prepare your Hydroflask the night before with ice cubes. Or buy a bulk batch of bottled water. You are gonna’ need it at the office. You don’t want to waste $2.50 a day getting it from your cash only bodega. And wearing a mask all day makes you extra thirsty, you gotta stay ahead of the game and hydrate all day from daylight til dusk. Unlike my home refrigerator, there’s no free water where I work. *My doctor has recommended I drink 2 of the big Hydroflasks each and every day. I’m doing my best by bringing water to the office.
- JACKET/HOODIE/SWEATER: This isn’t your home where you set the thermostat exactly where you like it. The office dictates the temperature. It can on occasion get a bit warm, but it’s mostly cold. And now, colder than before since they think that colder air brings less germs. The office is more frigid than it was pre-pandemic. Be prepared with appropriate attire. *Pro Tip: Bring it once and use as needed, then change out each month or as you would your gym bag.
- FLEXI SCHEDULE: Returning 100% to the office can be a challenge for some. If you can, see if its ok with your boss to do a combo of in office and outta’ office or work from home (WFH). Personally, I know I can get all my work done from 9a-5:30pm at home. Many times at the work office it takes me from 8:45am-7:30pm to get the same amount of work done. The Flexi Schedule is Nice if you can procure it.
I’ve been back in office and Flexi-Schedule/WFH for a few weeks. It was awkward and strange at first. Then was fun to see people, catch up with folks and be in a social setting. Now, at times it seems weird and useless. The time it takes to get there and back. The abrupt interruptions. ETC. After what was it? 16 months of WFH, a lot of it just doesn’t make sense anymore. I personally like the Flexi-Schedule. A portion of work in the office, like weekly meetings and free food days make sense. And a portion of outta office to get paperwork done, do proposals, go on meetings and the occasional “safe” lunch.
The world we were in is gone. Change is Good. I vote for the Flexi-Schedule to stay way down the line. I remember some nights in 2018-19 staying till 9:00pm and thinking that was normal. In 2021, that just doesn’t make much sense. Turn the computer off at 5:30 or 6:00 and binge some shows, go exercise, or cook a nice healthy dinner. Well, Unless it’s the occasional Large Project to Earn the Big Bucks, to stay (very) late on occasion is still ok with me.
How has it been for you? What tips would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments section below.
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