Hello world, sorry you are sick 😦 Me too! I’m stubborn and a planner. Here’s how I’m shaping things in these changing times:

Day 1: Today I’m building a plan What will I do with four weeks of time at home??  I did an HR assessment course in my undergrad work that was all about defining WHO you are.  I learned that I need a balance of three things to be happy: Exercise (football if possible, YNWA), a challenging workplace, and family (that’s my father and I pictured below).

Not Craig…

Optical training event hosted by Black Eyewear at head office, Craig in back, Priya with big smile and brown sandals 🙂

Craig and his Dad!

Here are some tips for those of you that haven’t worked from home and/or out of the office for an extended time period: 1) Write down your goals and make a plan!  “Fail to plan, plan to fail.” – Ben Franklin 2) Once you have your goals, make a schedule that will see you achieving those goals over the next four weeks. – I will be exercising more frequently in the am, working throughout the day, and reading more consistently in the evenings.   3) Honour sacred times of day: Take a lunch break, NO work or work calls during this time.  Don’t work in the evening when you should be having dinner with family. 4) Get dressed for work: don’t wear pajamas as a uniform for the next four weeks! 5) Establish boundaries with your family, flatmates, partner, etc early in this transition so that you make sure to respect each other’s space and preferences – share your plan and ask for your partner to see how you can help other accomplish those goals.  Include goals to deepen your relationship together with this extra time 6) Be the parent that time never allowed you to be previously.  Take the time to teach your children about your family – their grandparent’s adventures, what their uncles and aunts were like when they were young, what you actually DO for your work.  Please don’t ask me to host a an advanced optics exam for under 10 year olds 😆 7) Don’t overly focus on the events of the world and social media – this continued state of alarm will not do your mind, body, OR soul any favours. 8) Ask yourself what is important to your mental health and don’t underrate social connection!  It is crucial for all of us.  Assess yourself now and ensure that you have planned to get what you need.  I will be talking to several people a day that I don’t normally chat with daily, this has been part of my norm for the last 10 years – no sense in stopping now!  If you need a new set of ears and/or a new voice – my cell phone is 027 306 6233, give me a call anytime.  I’d love to hear from you. 9) Everything in moderation, including moderation!  Take a break from things when it all seems to be too much.  See you tomorrow Craig