How to Transition Back to the Office Without Losing Your Marbles

Autumn is a season of transition – it reminds us of the season before while showing glimpses of the season to come. Kids are going back to school, adults are going back to regular working hours, and it feels like summer has slipped through our hands as fast as we found it. I love new beginnings. I love the #backtoschool energy that pulsates through the crowds of people hustling to and from their offices. And speaking of offices, it seems like everyone is going back to theirs (in one form or another). 

I remember when I first started working in the office again after almost a year at home. As much as I was excited for the change of pace and scenery, it was a tough transition. I had almost forgotten how much effort and energy it takes to get yourself prepared for a day at the office. As a result, I spent many weeks trying to find my footing, pace my schedule, and accomplish the items on my to-do list without losing my mind. This is the article I needed to read 6 months ago. I hope it will serve as a good reminder to prioritize what’s most important to you during this season of transition.

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

I made the mistake of wingin’ it the first week I returned to the office. Let me tell you... that was a fail. I forgot how much time it took to get ready, pack my bags, walk to the office and settle into a new environment before I was able to start my day. I learned that I had to leave earlier than I thought so I never felt rushed or underprepared before my first Zoom meeting.

The lesson I learned? Plan your day out. All of it. From start to finish. What time do you need to leave your home in the morning so you can get to the office with enough wiggle room to prepare for your day? What time do you need to wake up in order to practice a healthy amount of self-care in the morning? How do you plan to fill your cup before you work to fill those around you? I set my alarm early enough so I have time to exercise, meditate, make a good breakfast, and write my morning pages. I do these things because they allow me to show up at the office with more energy and a heart to serve others from a place of contentment.

Pack your bags the night before.

I once heard someone say that successful days are made the night before and I think this is so true. The nights where I write my to-do list, pick out an outfit, and pack my bags are what make the following day so much more productive and puts me in a good rhythm for the transition back to the office. This new routine freed up space in my mind to think about other things that were important to me. I found this practice helped me stay in control of my day and really moved the needle for my business and personal brand.

Ensure you have a safe and conducive working environment.

Okay, this is huge. You want to LOVE the workspace you are commuting to as much as you can control it. If you’re an entrepreneur like me, you have a say in where you show up--so let it be somewhere good.

My team and I are proud to work at Carr Workplaces in both their Boston and San Francisco locations. We love their attention to detail, concierge-level services, and warm staff who greet us when we come in every morning. Carr Workplaces provides flexible, short-term co-working space and office leases for entrepreneurs just like us. Whether you’re looking for a virtual business address, event space, or a private office for just for the day, Carr Workplaces is my “go-to” and will soon be yours, too.

Not sure what a “virtual business office” is? If you’re a small business owner, freelancer, or entrepreneur, you know how important it is to register your business under an address that is different from your home. Using a prestigious address for your business can instantly make you appear more credible, professional, and an organization that people can trust! 

Give yourself grace.

The one thing I wish I would’ve done while transitioning back to the office was give myself loads of grace. Looking back, I can see that I was awfully hard on myself when it came to adjusting to a new routine. When you’ve been working from home for the last year and a half, transitioning back to the office might be more difficult than you think. Give yourself time to adjust to the new routine. Prepare for mishaps, but don’t sweat the small stuff. You will adjust in no time!