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In these difficult times, we've made a number of our coronavirus articles complimentary for all readers. To get all of HBR's content delivered to your inbox, sign upwardly for the Daily Alert newsletter.

In the coming weeks, as quarantine restrictions loosen, companies effectually the world volition begin bringing people back to the workplace. While some may be eager to finally go out of their business firm, a good number of people are however anxious. And if y'all're among them, you aren't lonely. Seventy percent of over 1,000 workers surveyed by PwC said at that place are several factors preventing them from wanting to return to work, with 51% citing fright of getting ill as their major worry. For others, fearfulness of using public transportation and having no reliable solutions for childcare or homeschooling are also concerns.

These fears are neither surprising nor irrational. Though the transition to work-from-home (WFH) may take proved challenging, the transition back to the workplace may be harder. This is, in part, because of how our brains make sense of unexpected change. When we transitioned to WFH several months agone, in that location were few precedents guiding us. Figuring out how to plow dining rooms into offices and basements into classrooms — all this was strange. Feeling "lost in the unfamiliar" made sense, and as our adrenaline kicked in, nosotros became more than resourceful, artistic, and eventually, adapted. But, even when information technology is induced by stress or necessity, creativity often feels rewarding. When we conquer something we've never done, we feel a sense of pride, not just for the result, but as well for overcoming our fear and inexperience in doing so.

Further Reading

When we go back to work, nonetheless, nosotros will look a return to the familiar. Our brains have an autopilot mode that is comprised of shortcuts we've fabricated to help us undertake routine tasks with minimal mental effort. That'southward why y'all tin drive to work without e'er remembering how y'all got there. However, back at the office, if your brain reaches for the autopilot version of a familiar routine, it will become short-circuited by your new reality. When that happens, you lot may experience "lost in the familiar." Where you park, having your temperature taken, where your desk-bound is situated, continuing six feet apart from people in line for the coffee pot, and wearing PPE are just some practices that volition contradict what your encephalon expects. It may just take ten seconds to adjust, but that shift requires enormous mental energy, and y'all may exist making it many times a day for the first few weeks back.

To prepare yourself for the transition dorsum to the role, hither are some approaches to minimize the stress and adapt every bit apace as possible.

Monitor your feet. You may experience inclined to hibernate your anxiety about coming back to work, feigning confidence and positivity in the face up of and then much unknown. Alternatively, you may be unaware of the extent to which you lot are wearing your feet on your sleeve. To any degree yous feel concerned about returning to work — regardless of your inclination to hibernate or broadcast information technology — pay close attention. Near importantly, notice someone to talk to about it. If that's non your dominate, try someone in HR, or consider investing in a coach or therapist.

Mismanaged anxiety can lead to unwanted consequences both to your wellness also every bit to important relationships. For case, you lot may observe information technology difficult to sleep or turn to stress eating. You may go rigidly legalistic to regain a sense of command. In i organization I work with, a woman was so broken-hearted most being back at work that she took it upon herself to police everyone'south adherence to PPE protocols, understandably annoying those she admonished. Whatever form the discomfort you are feeling may accept, stay on top of how you admit and address it.

Stock upwardly on patience and flexibility. Y'all should wait the protocols your company has in identify to shift over time. New information and changing conditions, sometimes through trial-and-fault, will crave your visitor to adjust, sometimes on the fly. Manage your expectations with patience and flexibility so that each fourth dimension something changes, you don't become irritated or nervous. Try not to perceive modify as your visitor "not knowing what they are doing." More frequently, it'due south a positive sign when organizations are open up to learning and improvement, even if they must do it every bit they go.

Your brain volition likely continue to browse for autopilot options to familiar routines — you lot might fifty-fifty be surprised past how apace it creates new shortcuts. Only yous must exist mindful of not settling into condolement too quickly. Three days later you've adjusted to your staggered start time, for instance, it may modify again. You'll be less frustrated if you gear up your expectations beforehand.

Finally, be empathetic toward your boss, peculiarly if you aren't their biggest fan right at present. Go on in mind that they are experiencing the added pressure of managing their own transition alongside helping you lot manage yours. Until we learn and adapt to what does and doesn't work to keep people safe and productive, everyone will need extra measures of empathy and agility. Trust that things will get smoother as everyone learns together.

Manage expectations. We often course assumptions almost other people to ease our discomfort with ambiguity. The more uncertain things are, the faster and more absolute our assumptions become. Whether you lead others or are an private correspondent, this applies to yous. What you are really capable of, what yous demand, and what you are thinking may not match what others conclude. Pre-empt misassumptions by speaking up when you need to, and past finding a respectful, honest fashion to self-advocate. If you are nevertheless working out childcare or homeschool logistics, let your boss know that, and if need be, ask for flexibility in your schedule. If you are feeling unsafe about your wellness, voice your concerns in a considerate way that doesn't convey a sense of entitlement or demand.

If you lead others, they volition assume you have all the answers nigh new policies and protocols, and yous may become asked questions for which no satisfying respond exists. Learning to provide honest responses will be central to showing good leadership. Proactively alert people to whatever impending changes you hear about, and let people know what y'all are doing to stay informed on their behalf. By effectively managing others' expectations, you help ensure they don't get obstacles to an already complicated transition.

Be a source of joy. One of the best ways to make the transition smoother is past finding ways to make it better for others. Strike up conversations that create a sense of lightheartedness among your squad. One arrangement I work with has made a weekly practise of sharing their "WFH mishaps" likewise as their "unexpected WFH delights" — a practice that can be easily translated into the office. Humorous and inspiring stories can requite rising to a new sense of community. Be especially mindful of those colleagues who are even so working from abode. They may brainstorm to experience left out or worry that they are missing in-person opportunities. Show them sensitivity by taking extra steps to make sure they feel connected and included. They will be grateful.

In the workplace, find artistic ways to supplant the instinctive hugs or high-fives y'all one time routinely exchanged. When people innocently forget to follow a PPE protocol or fail to take hold of themselves when their "autopilot" shows up, find goodhearted ways to laugh about information technology instead of getting frustrated. If your team isn't particularly close, use the transition to build new levels of trust and camaraderie. Doing these things won't eliminate the stress of fighting a pandemic, but it will make the fight less intimidating equally you lot bring joy to others, and in the process, to yourself.

Stay focused on the bigger story. The transition to whatever the "next normal" is will be laden with unknown bumps and possibilities. Much of that is out of our command. Further, the transition will experience different for each of u.s.. Our highs and lows won't always match those of others. What nosotros can manage is our responses to our transition, and how we support others through theirs. When the transition feels discouraging, for example, have a prompt to restore promise.

Effort this question: "A year from now, if someone asks how living through Covid-nineteen inverse me for the ameliorate, how do I want to answer?" Regardless of the difficulties yous've suffered, you get to make up one's mind how this shapes the person you desire to become. Ponder those possibilities every day, and permit them to bolster hope when you demand information technology.

Remember, we are living through an unprecedented moment in history. This pandemic will change the world in ways we've however to understand. Many of the unknowns ahead represent extraordinary opportunity, and we each get to determine what part we play in that unfolding story. For the many moments during this epic story when the word "together" has taken on an entirely new meaning, our transition dorsum to piece of work will redefine it yet over again. What part will you play in making it mean something extraordinary?

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