by Kate Lewis for fluxo
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is already regarded as a blip in the simulation, a period of purgatory, days that don't count.
But working during that week? When you might be in a family home with a bunch of other people, some of them working as well? A true test of focus and self-discipline—the ultimate work-from-home challenge.
As I write this article, there’s a seven year old in footie pajamas yelling at me to stop working because I “don’t have to work if she says I don’t have to” (I love her and admire her conviction). There’s another child singing very loudly in French. Three dogs (two more than usual) are barking, major cooking is happening, and there’s two other people also trying to work. We commiserate by sharing chargers and rotating who can use the one desk in this house.
This is the ultimate test for the remote worker. Yes, you’ve mastered working from home from your apartment, maybe with a roommate or two, but can you work from home in level 10 distraction conditions? It’s like adding weight to workouts or introducing a new element to an obstacle course. You have to tear the muscles to become stronger. This is what you’ve trained for all year.
Now, there are also perks. It’s good to change up where you’re working from. Also, it’s the week between holidays, so you’re probably not expected to be working that much. And you get to spend time with family, though that may not be a positive for all.
To everyone working from home this week, Godspeed. You’re almost done.
