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Tips and Tricks for Returning to the Office and Hitting the Road
Thursday, September 30, 2021
As Covid-19 restrictions loosen, we'll eventually start settling into what will be the "new normal." Getting back to the office for our day-to-day operations will take some adjustments and since in-person meetings have essentially been halted for the past year and a half, it may be hard to get back into the swing of things. Whether your new normal means going back into the office or getting back on the road, we've come up with some tips and tricks to help you get back into the action.
Returning to the Office
- Review Guidelines: Make sure you are aware of building and company guidelines ahead of time. What are the mask policies? Do you need to wear masks in elevators or at your desk? Are there restrictions on how many people should be in an elevator? This is important to know before you even step foot in the office.
- Plan a Catch-Up: Most of us haven't seen our colleagues in person in a long time. Be prepared to give yourself some time to reconnect with colleagues and get up to speed on adjustments to new office set-up or technologies. Your first few days in the office may not be as productive, and that’s okay. We recommend pre-planning some breaks in your schedule to accommodate getting reacquainted.
- Taking Breaks Are Important: Try to keep the interim breaks and lunch time slots on the calendar. We all could use more hours in the day, but this is not the time to be eating from your desk. Go for a walk, get some fresh air or have a snack – all options that help boost productivity. Make sure you get up and take that break that you may have gotten accustomed to while working from home.
Hitting the Road
- Travel Essentials: When is the last time you checked expiration dates for TSA Pre-check, Global Entry or your passport? Make sure you are good to go to stay ahead of the game. We know that these government agencies have long processing times, and no one wants to get stuck in that situation.
- Staying Healthy of the Road: Have a plan for healthy eating and exercise on the road. It's easy to pack a few protein bars for some unexpected hunger and resistance bands to get a quick work-out in your room between events, both of which take up minimal space in your suitcase. As a final tip, always remember to stay hydrated. Most airports have water stations that you can use to refill your water bottles and more hotels are incorporating them as well.
- Sleep, Sleep. Sleep! Lack of sleep can have a detrimental effect on your productivity and have a hindrance on your day. Try to stick to your normal sleep patterns, and keep the thermostat around 65 degrees for the most comfortable sleep. Stay off screens before hitting the pillow, and keep the room as dark as possible to stay in line with your circadian rhythm.
Returning to our previous patterns can be overwhelming and will take some time to get used to. Practice patience with yourself and others as we all get reacclimatize to the new normal. We hope these tips will help you as you make the transition. We’ll see you all on the road soon – and in Phoenix this November for the 2021 FICP Annual Conference!
Kristi Allan
Vice President and Senior Manager of Events
AllianceBernstein
Jerilyn Jonhson
Meeting and Conference Planner
Sammons Institutional Group