Laura Gordon: 'There’s the psychological challenge of carrying out day-to-day tasks while burdened with worry'

We’ve had just over two weeks in lockdown and that’s a short space of time to get accustomed to the massive changes we’re being forced to make.

For those of us who are still working, we’re facing all manner of new challenges.

There are practical considerations for home workers who’ve had to quickly set up makeshift office spaces with the right technology to continue ‘business as usual’.

There’s the psychological challenge of carrying out day-to-day tasks while burdened with worry. There’s juggling work and childcare, made all the harder now schools are closed.

For those who have been furloughed or have found themselves out of work, there’s the challenge of filling your day, maintaining motivation and finding things to focus on besides fretting about the pandemic.

But whichever camp you fall into, the same rule of thumb still applies – focus your attention on the things you can control, not the things you can’t. Doing this will have a huge impact on the way you feel, reduce anxiety and help you to find the way forward.

It’s so important to remember that the choices you make can have a drastic impact on your perception and ultimately your wellbeing.

Right now, people have three choices – to nosedive, to survive or to thrive.

We can wallow in self-pity, negative thoughts, sink lower and ultimately come out of this feeling worse.

We can tread water. Make do, keep breathing, and wait for some normality to return.

Or we can choose to thrive. Come out of this situation feeling stronger, fitter and better than ever.

In the current circumstances that third option might seem hard to attain but in reality, there are fairly simple steps you can take to achieve this.

The key is establishing a routine and sticking to it, as advised by a submarine captain in a brilliant video clip I watched, talking about ways of coping with social isolation.

And he emphasised the importance of self-care as part of that routine. Looking after yourself and not being tempted to let that slip just because you’re isolated.

So if you’re working from home, don’t be tempted to stay in your PJs and don’t rush straight to your desk. Get ready as though you’re heading out to work. Take time for breakfast to set you up for the day. Be clear on what you want to achieve and don’t allow yourself to be easily distracted.

If you’re furloughed, set your alarm and get up at the same time anyway. Try to look at the time you’ve been given as a gift. Learn something new – there are tons of free courses out there that don’t cost a penny. Google ‘MOOCs’ (Massive Open Online Courses) and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Include exercise in your day for the good of both your physical and mental health. And whatever you do don’t underestimate the importance of sleep – it is nature’s own magical medicine and can help you think better, feel better, reduce stress, gain energy and much more.

And last but not least, if you’re an employer trying to motivate your workers at this time, remember your actions can make a big difference in promoting positivity and mental wellbeing. One home-grown company doing a great job of this is Edinburgh-founded LS Productions, the UK’s largest service production company, which created a remote working survival guide.

It has scheduled virtual meet-ups, film clubs, virtual quizzes, shared recommendations for films, books and fitness classes and all manner of inspiring ideas.

This is a fabulous example of a company taking the initiative to create a sense of fun, community and mutual support to enhance wellbeing and offset boredom, worry or loneliness.

Let’s hope more workplaces take inspiration from this wonderful idea and prepare to thrive.

Laura Gordon is a CEO coach and group chair with Vistage International, a global leadership development network for CEOs.