The Future.Now Perspectives Series

Human Worth and GDPR

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 09:07:33 GMT

First of all, I would like to thank my team for the kind invitation to write this article on the topic of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). The GDPR is a recent response from the EU. And it brings forward some food for thought.

Let us first start by clarifying, in the light of European legislation, what is meant by personal data. Personal data is “any information about a specific person, identified or identifiable, called the data subject.” Some examples are, the name of a person, their address, income or computer data such as the IP (Internet Protocol) address. The question that now arises is, shouldn't this data have always been protected and where did the need to protect it come from.

From the moment we put our data on paper, on a website, or on social networks, we are no longer responsible for them. Until relatively recently, we relied on good faith and the protection of the platforms or companies we gave our data to. And it is far from the truth to say that there have been no breaches of data protection. Furthermore, the problem has worsened dramatically with the emergence of the internet and social networks.

We have given our entire lives to private companies, and All these platforms are free for users. Although the revenue of these flagship companies is generated mainly through advertising, many of us worry what these companies know about us. We think that they might have our search engine history, our correspondence, our day-to-day activities duly scheduled. Or that social networks could expose our friendships, our tastes and interests, even our opinions, whether they have a political or religious connotation, among others. All of us assume that our personal data is very desirable for companies and networks so they target specific audiences in an effective and profitable way.

In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica Scandal, the USA decided to take action on the regulation and data protection of these large companies. Following this example, the EU created the GDPR, an essential document in the protection of European citizens.

This regulation applies to all companies that hold personal data within the European area. It requires meticulous regulation in corporate policies. For example in terms of equal opportunities and non-discrimination, personal data cannot be processed on: "racial or ethnic origin; sexual orientation, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, union membership, genetic, biometric and health-related data, except rare specific cases. The regulation pushes the importance of maximum security and data protection within the IT and security policy so that everyone can protect and trust each other.

Therefore, it is necessary to carefully comply with the GDPR and simultaneously integrate and reflect these same rules in corporate policies. Thank you for reading and lets hope that our protection will be increasingly valued and debated!

Digital Fatigue: The Strain of Screen Time

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 11:48:44 GMT

The Strain of our Screen Time: The growing issue of digital fatigue in the world of a pandemic.

Digital Fatigue is increasingly becoming more of an issue as the world of lockdowns and quarantining continues on. In this day and age, we are prone to rely on technology and looking at screens on a regular basis. But with the inability to go out and socialise or work outside of our homes for many, the level of screen time we experience has sky rocketing. Let’s take a look at how this has come about.

First of all, zoom calls for work are now a very frequent occurrence and people are having to spend time staring at their zoom screens for hours, as opposed to traditional face to face meetings. “Remote working generally leads to increased tiredness or Zoom fatigue for employees and a greater need for longer recovery time compared with on-site office work.” This leads to a fatigued feeling due to the consistent digital meetings and work calls. Not only that, but we are putting more of a priority on digital software like slack and teams etc, for our workday to run smoothly, as we can no longer simply ask someone a question aloud in the office setting.

Netflix also has a big part to play in the fatigue feeling. “Netflix saw a massive spike in subscribers in February and March as people everywhere started staying home more amid the coronavirus pandemic.” With many of us going on Netflix marathons to pass the time during lockdown, we are again being stuck in the world of screens. This has continued due to the continued lockdowns throughout 2020 and now in 2021. Despite the fact that Netflix has amazing entertainment value, it brings us back to having our eyes constantly on a screen even after the hours of zoom calls during our workday. And it has the appeal of being so easily accessible and entertaining, that despite the fact that many of us feel the digital exhaustion, we continue using platforms like this regularly out of convenience.

Face time calls are also now a vital way that we communicate with our loved ones as many of which we aren’t able to see outside of our phones. Again, it’s easy and convenient and very useful that we can see the ones we care about in an instant on our devices. But this generates added screen time as we are using our phones, laptops and tablets to communicate with one another. “While social distancing, we can’t walk up to a colleague’s desk, go out with friends, attend an exercise class, or take the kids to school. Instead, we log on to Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp or Hangouts—and turn in-person events into pixels on a screen.” Whether we are working or winding down, our worlds are revolving around our screens because of the many uses technology has and how useful it is during the lockdown world.

It’s not hard to see that our world is overly attached to the digital sphere. But after a while, many of us can mentally feel the strain that is has on our wellbeing. What do you feel is the key way in which you experience that digital fatigue feeling?

1 McCulloch, Adam. 2020. ‘Zoom fatigue’ is a thing, study shows.’ Personnel Today. Available at: https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/zoom-fatigue-is-a-thing-study-shows/

2 Levy, Adam. 2020. ‘Are Subscribers Finally Feeling Netflix Fatigue.’ The Motley Fool. Available at: https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/07/15/are-subscribers-finally-feeling-netflix-fatigue.aspx

3 Nguyen, Nicole. 2020. ‘The Joy—and Exhaustion—of Nonstop Video Chatting: a Guide’. The Wall Street Journal. Available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-joyand-exhaustionof-nonstop-video-chatting-a-guide-11585143549

Autism and The Pandemic: Unmasked

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 12:57:34 GMT

Masks have become “The New Normal” due to the global pandemic. However strange and uncomfortable these masks are, most of us have had to learn to tolerate them at work and in the community. It’s not easy, it’s exhausting, as we are having to behave in a way that is not our instinctive way of being. But we have changed our behaviour and accepted the discomfort because we know it is in our own and others' best interest to do so. We have shown that when something is important enough, we can make the changes necessary to help others and society as a whole.

Due to our new masked world, we now all know what it feels like to not be sure who is who, not to feel confident that we heard what other people said - and to worry we may not have understood what others meant. Everything suddenly feels more stressful, takes longer and is more tiring. Imagine feeling this way without a pandemic. Imagine this being your reality throughout your whole life.

If you ask an autistic person what their life was like before Covid, you will hear that most Autistic people have spent their whole lives “wearing masks”: to behave as others do because that is the only way they will be able to fit in and get on. The stress and trauma of this is often debilitating and traumatizing. Furthermore, Autistic employment rates have declined, exclusion from education has increased, autistic poor health, mental health and mortality rates have increased. And what remains starkly the same is that very few people championing change are autistic; only a few autistic people are being trained or paid to drive these changes, and the meaningful and sustainable impact of change in terms of autistic people's daily lives remains negligible.

If you ask an autistic person what their life has been like during Covid, you will not be surprised to learn that it has been as very difficult: While autistic people are permitted not to wear masks, many end up wearing them anyway because mask discomfort, even exacerbated by autistic sensory experience, is less traumatizing than the negative assumptions of others if masks are not worn.

Autistic social isolation is ignored as the media focuses instead on those who are experiencing social isolation for the first time; meanwhile autistic people who have experienced social isolation the longest and have the least access to the services they need. Additionally, autistic people now face greater barriers than ever to accessing mental health support. It’s ironic that this is happening at the very time when we have the most insight into the devastating impact of long-term social isolation on mental health and the most time to do something about it.

But it does not have to be like this. This pandemic has reminded us that together we can do amazing things. We can help others and ourselves to make things better. The attitudes we have, decisions we make, and actions we take together can transform autistic pain, loss and hardship into autistic agency, autonomy and independence.

As Lockdown restrictions ease and we enjoy the benefits and relief of this, let’s all make time to do more to ensure autistic people experience the same sense of freedom. Through building back better with autistic people, we can create an inclusive, sustainable future where we can all, finally, be unmasked.

“Your customs are strange to me,

though I was born among them.

I fear your people, your places and you.

Accept me, as I accept you,

and understand that I am different.”

Excerpt from a poem by an autistic woman

How virtual worlds can benefit the post-COVID era

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:55:08 GMT

The coronavirus pandemic has revolutionised the way we connect with others, both in personal and professional spheres. With in-person interaction off the cards, the need for methods of virtual communication has never been more vital. Video conferencing software ‘Zoom’ has seen a particular spike in usage, reporting 200 million daily Users in March 2020 as opposed to 10 million four months prior. This ‘Zoom boom’ tracks a wider social demand for virtual peer-to-peer communication software. Business meetings, conferences, lectures, birthday parties, and the now infamous weekly quiz, have all moved online.

Despite Zoom being very helpful in many ways, some aspects of Zoom are not inclusive nor accessible to all users. Those who struggle with sensory processing (e.g. autistic people) may experience an ‘overload’ from the multi-modal input, leading to an increase in stress and anxiety and often withdrawal.

Users can of course, control sensory inputs by altering their settings, but for those who elect not to show their faces on screen, opting out of this requires a kind of public declaration. On group Zoom calls, for instance, should users turn their cameras off, their screens appear black with their names displayed. There are a whole host of reasons someone may choose to turn their camera off. Disabilities and ailments affecting one’s appearance such as skin conditions, facial deformity, eating disorders and more, are all inhibiting factors. A camera is inherently invasive, thieving users of their privacy and exposing living environments. Due to the Zoom default being showing your face, opting not to can be isolating. Within a professional context, hiding one’s face may detrimentally affect an individual’s stake in either their current job, or hinder job prospects in an interview setting. This proves that Zoom can have a drastically different effect on people such as those on the autism spectrum.

Due to this, more inclusive virtual communication software is needed. In Virtual Worlds like 3DNovations, users are represented by an avatar instead of digital face to face communication. This alleviates anxieties associated with showing your face on screen, imposing a default state of equality. In an article for NoIsolation.com, an Autistic pupil using avatars said: “It’s cool, it feels like I’m in the classroom, although I’m not there. I can touch the screen and choose between different feelings like happy, sad, confused and neutral.”

Communication through an avatar provides an avenue for emotional expression without the pressures present with Zoom.

Furthermore, Avatar representation may also provide a solution to ‘Zoom fatigue’. As explained by Gianpiero Petriglieri. “Video chats mean we need to work harder to process non-verbal cues”. This means a use of a lot of energy for people in video chats, making them possibly more mentally drained and fatigued. However, with avatars this negative consequence is eliminated.

An example of how popular and beneficial these virtual worlds can be is the rise in use of Animal Crossing. Animal Crossing is a fantasy video game in which users navigate and build their lives as avatars. In an article for The Guardian, Ellie Bramley detailed how the game allows self-expression. Fashion fans in particular have flocked to Animal Crossing to live out their fashion fantasies. Similarly, individuals may use the 3DNovations virtual world to practise new skills, like public speaking. In the virtual world, Users can effectively practise such skills in a safe space, that may even mirror an authentic working environment.

The benefits are clear however an important question remains: How accessible are virtual worlds? And could they become a mainstream part of our working world?

Make your work life more Hygge

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 11:07:16 GMT

Hygge is a way of life that is immensely popular in Denmark and is starting to be a worldwide trend. Hygge means living in a way that prioritises feeling cosy, calm and enjoying the good things in life. This sense of Hygge can be applied to work life, especially whilst many of us are working from home. “Simple changes to your living space will gently soothe the senses. Not only making the work-from-home transition easier but adding all-around comfort during this homebound time.” Here are some ways to have a more Hygge work life.

A vital part of introducing Hygge into your workday is enjoying the goodness within your daily routine and the company within it. Hygge is about being social with the ones you care for and embracing the community surrounding you. “Remember, it wouldn’t be hygge without that sense of community. You could also try a Zoom conference for your regularly scheduled matcha break.” By being mindful and actively taking part in communal activities like your work chats or mid-afternoon work reviews, you are bringing a great sense of hygge into your workday.

Creating a hygge atmosphere also has to do with adding comforting things around your working from home environment. By being surrounding by both comforting and aesthetically pleasing things, it can encourage a more positive and calming mindset. This can be done in many ways. For example, add some plants and cosy decorations to your work area. Put up some simple string lighting to brighten up the area in which you get your work done. Or add a few succulent plants to bring some life into your workspace. They are small, low maintenance, inexpensive and quickly introduce more hygge into the atmospheres.

Furthermore, scent is a major player when it comes to bettering your mood and levels of hygge. So, it could be a good idea to add some candles where you are getting through your daily tasks. “If you ask a Danish person, they're likely to tell you that candles are the most important part of creating a hygge atmosphere at home.” Having a scent in the room that improves your mood and creates a warm feeling, will instantly make your workday more Hygge than before. Plus, it makes your home smell great, so it’s a win-win.

A final tip is to make your workspace personal and not just a sterile, dull environment. “Hygge is all about enjoying the environment around you and transforming personal spaces into little sanctuaries which allow us to sink into them at any moment.” Adding some personal photos or using your favourite mug in your workspace will help to make it feel more welcoming and positive. This therefore bringing a feeling of cosiness and hygge to your environment.

There are many ways to make your workday more Hygge. These are just some tips we think would be helpful to add that extra cosy touch to your working lifestyle. Tell us more about what you do to bring a more Hygge atmosphere into your workplace.

1 Noble, Nicholas. 2020. ‘Hygge: The Ultimate Work From Home Vibe’. Matcha.com. Available at: https://matcha.com/blogs/news/hygge-the-ultimate-work-from-home-vibe

2 Noble, Nicholas. 2020. ‘Hygge: The Ultimate Work From Home Vibe’. Matcha.com. Available at: https://matcha.com/blogs/news/hygge-the-ultimate-work-from-home-vibe

Night Owls vs Early Birds. Is there a right or wrong kind of work?

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 11:10:59 GMT

Everyone has their own time of day when their productivity button is really pushed. For some of us, it’s right after that first sip of coffee or perhaps after lunch. But most of us tend to settle into two categories when it comes to when we like to work. In the morning or during the evening. Early Birds and Night owls both have their own unique advantages. Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits from each type of worker.

When it comes to Early Birds, many of them are exercise fans. This may be because the morning is said to be the perfect time for exercise. Not only is it peaceful and quiet but working out in the early hours has been argued that it increases alertness and creativity. “As you might suspect, many high performers start their days with some form of exercise. The Harvard Business Review article “Regular Exercise is Part of Your Job” cites a laundry list of the benefits of exercise including improved concentration, sharper memory, prolonged mental stamina, enhanced creativity, faster learning and lowered stress.” By being a morning person, there is an encouragement of bringing exercise into your work routine. By doing this you are bettering both your mental and physical health and improving your productivity overall.

Another core advantage of morning productivity is that your brain is better rested. If you go to bed at a fairly early time and therefore wake up earlier, your mind is more likely to be programmed to get to work. “One reason early risers may be more productive is that they are more proactive and persistent, the results of a well-rested mind.” By having a proactive mindset when you are working, your levels of motivation will be increased, and you will therefore be more efficient when taking on your tasks throughout your workday.

On the other hand, Night Owls have some advantages of their own. It is said that a lot of people with Night Owl personalities have unique bursts of energy in the evening. People that are productive after hours have a tendency to have more active minds during this time. If this energy burst is utilised, it can ensure a great deal of productive work. “According to one study, Night Owls have an energy peak that naturally occurs in the evening and at that moment, they feel refreshed and ready for action.”

Night Owls also tend to be more relaxed. “According to British researchers, early risers typically have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and these high levels stick around all day. This is not the case for night owls. They don't receive that same level of early morning cortisol injection and stay relatively calm all day.” By being more relaxed, it could be said that they are highly likely to get plenty of work done as they not overwhelmed or afraid by having many tasks to get through.

There is no right or wrong time to do work. You need to do work at a time that fits your needs and your own work routine. Whether it be starting off with brainstorms and workouts at 8am or creative thinking and energy boosts after the sun goes down, both kinds of work are perfect for different people. But we want to know, what works for you?

1 Brownlee, Dana. 2020. ‘4 Morning Habit For A Highly Productive Work Day.’ Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/danabrownlee/2020/09/03/4-morning-habits-for-a-highly-productive-work-day/?sh=2697c40362e3

2 Ilic, Alexander. Date Unknown. ‘5 Reasons Why Night Owls Are Highly Productive’. Lifehack. Available at: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/5-reasons-why-night-owls-are-highly-productive.html

Morning Routines: How to make yours even better

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 12:23:55 GMT

Bill Gates. Mark Zuckerberg. Elon Musk. All highly successful people. All with very specific morning routines. Many successful people in business have morning routines that set them up for their day with a range of various activities. Today, we are going to take a look at some aspects of the routines of highly successful people and why they do what they do.

Mantras

“Dan Pena, the 50 Billion Dollar Man (now 1 Trillion Dollar Man), is big on this.

A morning confession or credo is something you recite to yourself every morning. For most, it is the first thing they open their mouths to say every morning.” Using mantras or affirmations in the morning and reciting them to yourself is a great way to encourage a positive and motivated mindset. If positive affirmations are said frequently over time, your mind will start believing the positive sentences that you are speaking and listening to, having a great effect on your mentality.

Avoiding Media

When we wake up, many of us spend quite a bit of time scrolling endlessly through our phones. Whether it be checking emails, Facebook or LinkedIn. Whilst we do this our minds are being bombarded with messages and signals and this can have a damaging effect on our levels of relaxation and peace of mind, even if we are not aware of it. “Alone time means just that: being by yourself. Don’t wake up early to just look at your emails, notifications or social media posts. This just adds hours to your workday. Instead, focus on getting your mind and body ready for the day.”

Reading

Reading is a great way to get your creative juices flowing and allow some fresh inspiration into your mind. It also has a calming effect on many people and a calm headspace is perfect for starting off a successful day. “Mark Cuban and Warren Buffett are famous for reading for hours a day. Elon Musk and Bill Gates are heavy readers too. It is one of the top traits of the world’s most successful.” It encourages new ideas and thoughts and is much more effective than simply switching on the TV in the morning.

Meditation

There’s a good chance you have heard this activity being encouraged before for better productivity and better wellbeing too. Meditation pushes the habit of mindfulness, which can increase awareness and clarity. This may be why it’s a very common morning ritual amongst successful people. Mental clarity can give you a boost when it comes to your daily productivity and make you better at getting through many tasks and making quick decisions throughout the day.

Making the bed

Making the bed encourages you to complete your daily tasks. By completing a small task right at the start of your day, it tells your brain that you accomplished something, inspiring you to do more. “It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. And by the end of the day that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.” It may be a small part of a morning routine, but even something as small as this could make a difference to your day.

1 O, David. 2020. ‘The Early Morning Routine of Super Rich Entrepreneurs.’ Available at: https://entrepreneurshandbook.co/the-early-morning-routine-of-super-rich-entrepreneurs-5f9df677ae8c

2 Masjedi, Yaniv. Date Unknown. ‘8 Morning Habits of Successful Entrepreneurs.’ Nextiva Blog. Available at: https://www.nextiva.com/blog/morning-habits-of-entrepreneurs.html

3 Cremades, Alejandro. 2019. ‘The 10 Morning Rituals Of Successful Entrepreneurs.’ Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alejandrocremades/2019/02/16/the-10-morning-rituals-of-successful-entrepreneurs/?sh=6620124d216b

Weather and Productivity: Does it have an effect?

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 11:52:04 GMT

Some days we are at work with rain drizzling and cold temperatures outside. Other days we look outside our window, to see blue skies and the sun shining. It’s no secret that many people have a boost in their mood when it’s a sunny day. But could it be argued that the weather has a genuine effect on the levels of our productivity?

Could it be said that sunny days mean temptation to lead yourself astray from work? The concept of a stroll in the park or a long lunch on the green with your co-workers is very appealing to many of us. And so, it could be said that on days with better weather, we are more inclined to focus on things other than our work. A research paper report mentioned by the Harvard Business School Blog took a look at this argument. “The authors show that workers are especially productive on rainy days, simply because they're not tempted by the possibilities of a sunny day—a walk in the park, for example, or an afternoon at the beach.”

On the other hand, colder weather can often decrease our mood, which could potentially lead to less motivation with work. “If you think gloomy weather saps your motivation, you’re not alone; more than 80% of people surveyed by researchers thought so.” However most studies and articles online suggest the opposite. The majority of opinions online side with sunny days causing the most unproductive tendencies overall and colder days being better for work, as less distractions means more work is getting done.

Another positive to working in colder weather, means an increase in the ability for us to create that ‘cosy’ feeling, which could mean better concentration at work. An example is the concept of bringing the Hygge atmosphere into your working life. Hygge is a Danish word, describing a feeling of contentment and cosiness. This concept is hugely popular in Scandinavia and it is quickly growing to be a worldwide trend. And now, people are bringing the Hygge concept into the workplace, to boost their productivity. “Data collected by Copenhagen’s Happiness Research Institute revealed that 78% of Danish workers value a safe, cosy and casual atmosphere at work, and agree that the concept of Hygge should be evidenced in the workplace. It’s well-known (and common sense!) that happy, satisfied staff are engaged and motivated, which leads to great results and ultimately, organisational success – why wouldn’t you want this?”

With bad weather causing less distractions plus the added bonus of Hygge, it could equal better productivity. Despite the beauty of sunny days, when it comes to work the answer may well be the opposite. What are your thoughts on this theory? Do you believe what the studies are saying? Or do you think good weather is a winner when it comes to working life?

1 Nobel, Carmen. 2012. ‘Blue Skies, Distractions Arise: How Weather Affects Productivity.’ Harvard Business School. Available at: https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/blue-skies-distractions-arise-how-weather-affects-productivity#:~:text=In%20short%2C%20they%20found%20that,correlated%20with%20relatively%20low%20productivity.

2 White, Martha C. 2014. ‘This Is What’s Actually making You Horribly Unproductive.” TIME. Available at: https://time.com/103232/unproductive-at-work/

3 Rigby, Laura. 2018. ‘Improve Productivity with Hygge at Work.’ HR180. Available at: https://www.hr180.co.uk/hygge-workplace/

Are you Thriving or Surviving at Work?

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 12:02:25 GMT

Don’t survive, thrive. A saying we have heard numerous times from various people over the years. But what does this concept mean in terms of work? Surviving at work means going day in and day out without much joy in what you do. But thriving at work is the opposite. Thriving at your job means doing work with energy, passion and motivation. It means socialising with your co-workers and engaging in those meetings with your team. Today we are going to take a look at both sides of this coin.

Surviving at work might feel a little like this; “Sometimes, if you feel like your work has become a dreary, joyless chore that you just survive day in and day out because you can’t see any other way, you might not need to switch jobs at all. You might just need to switch your head.” Something that can contribute to feeling this way is a lack of motivation. If you don’t feel interested when getting started on work, it’s no wonder it would feel like a chore. Sitting down at your desk, feeling tired and lethargic, won’t help you. But there are some things you can do to bring more motivation into your workday.

Playing upbeat music when getting ready for work can raise your serotonin and dopamine levels. “Listening to music releases dopamine and serotonin into the brain, helping you relax and stay focused. Music has an energising effect, so your mood naturally improves.”

By getting a morning mood boost, you’ll be more inclined to be motivated. Also, find what puts a smile on your face. Is it grabbing the occasional artisan coffee from the French bakery in the morning? Is it having a morning chat with your best friend? Define what never fails to give you a little pep in your step and utilise it when you’re prepping for work. Through this you are boosting your emotional energy, therefore raising your chances of ‘thriving’ through the day.

Another big aspect of surviving at work is the social aspect. Withdrawing and not mixing with your peers at work can make you feel a little isolated, although you may not realise it. Whether you are introverted or extroverted, humans are still social creatures either way. And whether it be having a zoom catchup or having a regular chat with a group of teammates, this can greatly improve your chances on the thriving scale! “Human beings are social animals, and our colleagues can be the source of great company (or sometimes irritation!) Taking time out to ask people how they’re doing over the water cooler, chatting about your plans for the weekend, or asking about their latest trip is a pleasant addition to the workday.”

Thriving at work is seeing what your work life has to offer, rather than what it is missing. It is embracing your teammates, that great productivity playlist or that morning team catchup. It is knowing what motivates you to get up in the morning and get going and using that knowledge to the best of your ability. So how do you thrive at work? Or are you just surviving? If so, what can you do to get yourself thriving today?

1 Stevens, Christine. 2019. ‘Are You Just ‘Surviving’ at Your Job?’ Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/mind-cafe/are-you-just-surviving-at-your-job-49ccf49a9838

2 Esposito, Emily. 2018. ‘Can Music Make You a Productivity Powerhouse?’ Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/taking-note/can-music-make-you-a-productivity-powerhouse-9161721fced6#:~:text=Listening%20to%20music%20releases%20dopamine,so%20your%20mood%20naturally%20improves.

3 Stuart, Jess. 2015. ‘How to Thrive at Work (Even If You Don’t Love Your Job).’ Tiny Buddha. Available at: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/thrive-work-even-dont-love-job/

The Law of Attraction: Does it apply to the workplace?

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 11:52:57 GMT

Law of Attraction in the Workplace

The Law of Attraction is the idea that by thinking about what you want, it can come into your life. This may sound a bit outlandish, but it’s actually a technique that many people in the world use to help them achieve their goals. Think of it this way; have you ever thought about a song and all of a sudden, it's playing on the radio? Or have you ever thought about texting someone and they suddenly beat you to it? That is the Law of Attraction coming into play. What we think of, comes about in reality. Therefore, if we think about our goals and how we can achieve them, chances are they can be achieved in reality.

This means that we could use Law of Attraction techniques to manifest things in the workplace, such as a promotion, being more motivated at work or building better connections. A core aspect of manifestation is visualisation. By closing your eyes and envisioning exactly what you want you can get exactly that. By picturing yourself achieving your work goals, it can encourage these goals to be a part of your reality. “Even just spending five minutes in a meditative state and picturing yourself achieving all of your work goals can help to strengthen your ability to use the Law of Attraction in the workplace.”

Think about how that goal makes you feel and how it would emotionally influence you if it became a part of your life.

Another key aspect of manifesting what you want in your work life, is cutting out negative thinking patterns. Negative energy affects us in many ways. When we think negatively, we seem to have more bad days and lower self-esteem. However, by looking at things positively and with gratitude, it encourages a happy mindset, therefore attracting positive things into our life. “If we think negative thoughts, we attract negative situations. Likewise, if we live a life of gratitude, we will never run out of things to be grateful for.” By being grateful for what we have now, it attracts more things that we are grateful for into our lives. If we are grateful for the connections we have at work, it is more likely that great connections will continue to come flooding in.

Journaling is also a great way of attracting what you want. It helps you to reprogram your mind into believing that you can achieve what you want. Many people are stuck in a pattern of thinking things won’t work out or their goals are not attainable. But by writing out how goals. “Journaling works to release old beliefs, thoughts, and feelings to allow new ones to come in.” Writing down consistently statements such as “I cannot wait to get my promotion at work” or “I am going to be building amazing connections with my teammates.” Helps our minds believe that those statements can actually come true, making them more likely to be a part of our reality.

Whether its visualising your goals, being grateful for what you already have of writing your goals into existence, The Law of Attraction could become a key player in helping you get to exactly where you want to be within your working life. What do you think? Do you agree? Or do you think hard work on its own is the only key to working life success?

1 Hurst, Katherine. Date Unknown. ‘6 Exercises For Using The Law of Attraction In The Workplace’. The Law Of Attraction. Available at: https://www.thelawofattraction.com/6-exercises-the-law-of-attraction-workplace/

2 Robinson, Josie. Date Unknown. ‘How to Manifest Anything With the Power of Gratitude.’ Josie Robinson. Available at: https://josierobinson.com/journal/givethankspractice

3 Syring, Emily. Date Unknown. ‘How to Use Journaling to Manifest With the Law of Attraction’. She is living her best life. Available at: https://sheslivingherbestlife.com/how-to-manifest-journaling/

Music at work: Does it have any effect?

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 10:56:27 GMT

Music has a hold over our mood and that is a fact that isn’t news to many of us. When we listen to happy music, we are encouraged to have a more positive outlook. When we listen to slower, more melancholy sounds, it pushes a more laid back, sorrowful mood. But how does this affect us when it comes to our working life? Does playing relaxed music help our productivity or make no difference? We are here today to talk about it.

Studies have shown in the past, that music has the ability to reduce stress and boost our mood. If music has the power to improve our mental wellbeing, it could be argued that music could be one of the keys to higher productivity. This is because if we are in a positive mood, there is a higher probability of us feeling motivated to work. “A study in 2015 found that people who listened to music before during, or after surgery experienced less pain and anxiety compared to those who didn't listen to music.” If music can reduce our anxiety, its no wonder people use music as a tool for relaxation and productivity.

In fact, in this day and age there are now specific playlists and music made just to boost our mood and encourage work motivation. As mentioned in a previous article on Future of Workspace, Lo-Fi music is an increasingly popular music genre. And many Lo-Fi music collections online are designed to help people concentrate and be productive. “Playlists that claim to offer music to help people concentrate are growing in popularity. The YouTube channel Chillhop Music and a similar channel called ChilledCow have a combined 5.3 million subscribers. Chillhop’s 24-hour livestreams of playlists like “beats to study/relax to” attract many thousands of listeners at a time, while its Spotify playlists boast around 130,000 listeners every month. The channel’s “lo-fi hip-hop” playlists (lo-fi refers to low-fidelity music, which has an intentionally “unpolished or rough” sound) feature tracks with light music mixed with ambient noise.”

However, there is another side to this theory, as everyone’s mind work in different ways. And some people’s minds are quite sensitive to different sounds, so much so that any noises, calming or otherwise, could only produce a distracting result. “In one experiment testing how the brain reacts to different types of music, silence was used as a control between the different music clips. But silence actually produced one of the most interesting effects. When compared with so-called “relaxing” music—or even long silence before the experiment began—short, two-minute silent pauses between the music actually proved more relaxing on the brain.” This idea suggests that silence gives our brain a break from distractions that are constantly around us, even when we think we are relaxing or listening to something calming.

What works for you? Do you like the ambience of soft melodies to get your brain on work mode? Or does your brain work better in peaceful silence? Everyone is different and everybody’s brains are wired in their own individual ways. There is no wrong or right answer to these questions, but it could help you identify what helps your mind work at its best.

1 Author Unknown. 2019. ‘How Does Music Affect Your Mood? | Music and Emotion Relationship’. AIMM.EDU. Available at: https://www.aimm.edu/blog/how-does-music-affect-your-mood

2 Sherman, Elisabeth. 2019. ‘Do Productivity Playlists Actually Work?’. Elemental. Available at: https://elemental.medium.com/do-productivity-playlists-actually-work-6d362bd23bf7

3 Cooper, Belle Beth. 2017. ‘Quiet Doesn’t Cut It: Why Your Brain Might Work Better In Silence.’ Fast Company. Available at: https://www.fastcompany.com/3068168/quiet-doesnt-cut-it-why-your-brain-might-work-better-in-silence

What does the future of work look like?

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 13:05:36 GMT

In the future, the norm we once knew of and worked in will no longer exist. The Pandemic has changed things, and even after cases go down and vaccines come into play, things will still be different. Therefore, a new world is on the horizon, with devices we haven’t seen before, routines we haven’t experienced and attitudes we may have not felt. Furthermore, there will be some key characteristics that people will need to have on their side to truly thrive in this world.

When it comes to employers and employees, especially business owners, flexibility will be of the utmost importance, as they will need to work out ways for their business to move forward amongst all of these changes. “Even now, as governments ease lockdown restrictions, it’s far from business as usual. The future of work is here, and it looks flexible. “All signs indicate that this crisis is going to reshape the experience of work,” says Brigid Schulte, director of the Better Life Lab, a US-based think tank focused on work culture.” Workers must adapt to new ways of working and build flexible new routines that fit in with this changing lifestyle. This brings forward another characteristic, maturity. Employers and employees will not be able to simply ignore these changes or wallow in the fact that the old normal is gone. But they must look upon it as a positive and exciting change and embrace this new environment.

Another important characteristic for the future will be having a media savvy mind. New technology products are going to play a massive role in our world, even more so than they already do. “DXC Technology’s 2020 predictions for the future of work show enterprises continuing to reap the rewards of technology to drive business growth — and getting the people part of the equation right is essential.” We will see more AI and robot operated machines, as well as devices that have never been used before. For some of us, the learning curve around new devices is easy but for others it’s not. However, if we are to thrive in the future of work environment being tech savvy will be incredibly important as people will need to find their way around future technology due to it becoming a vital part of our daily life.

Of course, creativity is key. Within this new world, people will need to think of new, innovative ways to work and succeed in ways they haven’t done before. This could mean working in a way that you have never tried out previously, such as Hoteling or trying out the Digital Nomad Life. Or it could mean working out new routines that suit you, such as using a SafeTag when at work or incorporating desk partitions into your work life. People will need to be able to create a new lifestyle that fits in with the future. The old ways of getting up and heading to and office every day is not likely to exist anymore for many of us.

This new world is becoming a part of our lives rapidly, and we have to be prepared for the changes this is bringing in. The essential ways of embrace these changes is flexibility, a mature attitude, technological abilities and creativity. With these characteristics in mind we can not only find a new lifestyle, but blossom within it.

1 Codrea-Rado, Andrea. 2020. ‘The pandemic is giving people what they want: flexible working.’ Wired. Available at: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/flexible-working-post-covid

2 Author Unknown. Date Unknown. 2020 technology trends and the future of work.’ DXC.technology. Available at: https://www.dxc.technology/innovation/flxwd/147718-2020_technology_trends

Aspects of the new normal

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 12:16:55 GMT

Because of Covid-19, work life has changed drastically. And this will be a fact that will stay in place in the future also. We will most likely not go back to the work life we once considered as normal. But new ways and aspects of work are coming into place, to help this transition in our work life become better and easier for everyone.

Not everyone will be working from home in the future, in fact people have already begun returning to office spaces, whether it be full time, part time or via the Hoteling method, where people can rent office spaces for a set period of time. In office spaces, new safety measures will apply. One gadget that’s making its way into the workspace world is the SafeTag. This is a small wrist device which acts as an alert for people breaking the social distance measures. If you are in an office environment wearing a SafeTag and someone comes fairly close to you, the tag will send out a signal that the social distancing measures are being compromised. The SafeTag can therefore remind people of what needs to be done to keep the workplace safe. “The core element is a lightweight wearable sensor, the Kinexon SafeTag, which uses highly-accurate ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. The sensor visibly warns the user as soon as the minimum physical distance to another person is breached. A second audible warning is emitted if the two employees have an extensive critical contact period.”

Another aspect of the future work environment will be new ways of desk working. Although many offices will most likely make sure desks and work areas are set at a safe distance between each other, Desk Partitions will be more popular than ever. An example of a popular desk partition is the BuzziWrap Desk. This is a partition for your desk which wraps around the front and slightly at the sides. Not only does this help keep safety measures in place, it also adds privacy to the workplace, which has a chance of increasing concentration and productivity as workers using this are less likely to be distracted. “Solutions like desk partitions are quick and easy to install while improving the feeling of working in a safe and healthy environment. At the same time, they help maintain that sense of collaboration and togetherness that is so important to feel good and happy.”

But not only will new desk styles and gadgets be a part of this future, so will a change in attitudes when it comes to the employer and employee relationship. After enduring a hectic and confusing time in the world, companies are going to be putting a bigger focus on making sure employers are taking care of their employees. “The pandemic has increased the trend of employers playing an expanded role in their employees’ financial, physical and mental well-being. Support includes enhanced sick leave, financial assistance, adjusted hours of operation and childcare provisions.” Having more of a focus on sick leave and more overall work assistance means an improvement on the mental and physical health of employees, as well as a strengthen trust between employer and employee.

These aspects of the future normal will most likely be a common part of our future lifestyles. At the moment, our vision of what work will be is still somewhat uncertain, but there’s an incredibly good chance these new things will be vital tools within it.

1 Author Unknown. 2020. ‘Safety Tech: Are Your Employees Staying in the Safe Zone?’. EHS Today. Available at: https://www.ehstoday.com/safety-technology/article/21132534/safety-tech-are-your-employees-staying-in-the-safezone

2 Author Unknown. 2020. ‘7 desk partitions for social distancing when returning to the office’. Buzzi Space. Available at: https://www.buzzi.space/inspiration/5-desk-partitions-for-social-distancing-when-returning-to-the-office

3 Baker, Mary. 2020. ‘9 Future of Work Trends Post-Covid-19’. Smarter with Gartner. Available at: https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/9-future-of-work-trends-post-covid-19/

New Tech that is ready to dominate the working world

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 13:33:13 GMT

Working from home is quickly becoming a new norm in our world. With zoom calls being the new meetings and telephone chats being the new catch ups, it’s good to have technology on your side as well as new systems if the need to get to an office occurs. And the tech world is ready for this.

Video calls are a part of daily life now, especially when it comes to work life. And being ready for whatever video call we have at work is important. That’s where this gadget comes in handy. The Lume Cube is a portable illuminating light built for video conferencing that can be attached to your MacBook or PC. “With all this remote working, videoconferencing is having a moment. The technology is supposed to provide remote workers a simulacrum of those in-office, face-to-face connections.” This cube brightens your appearance when on camera, which is incredibly useful for taking part in any video calls whilst working. You can also adjust the lighting levels and temperature whilst using the Lume Cube. Looking good and feeling confident taking work calls means having successful calls with your teammates.

For those who do need an office space sometimes, there is a new system to tackle this. Not everyone lives in home environments that are easy to work in, whether they live in a noisy area of have many people living in the same household. For these people, Smart Working is a great new system to use. Smart Working, also known as Hoteling, lets big companies with large office spaces rent some of the desk areas out to workers. For example, if a BlueChip company has a building with 12 floors, they could rent out 4 of these floors. Then people can log into an online system and book in a day or however long they need to use an office space within the building. This way companies can save money on the amount of office space in use as only a fraction of the space is being used. Also, it gives workers the freedom to have the office experience if they work better in that kind of environment. “Beyond the financial and spatial benefits of office hoteling to the organization, employees benefit from a flexible work environment and lower travel expenses, thereby increasing their productivity and morale.”

Also, lighter, stronger devices that will be able to make people more productive with their work will be more important than ever. We need more lightweight devices as we are now in the era of working on the move, whether it be at home, in a coffee shop or on transport. The tech universe has been taking note of this fact and will be introducing multiple new compact tech devices such as the Microsoft Surface Neo. This is a foldable, lightweight device that works as a laptop, viewing screen and notebook. This product will be released most likely around January 2021, when it’s safe to say that compact, powerful devices will be in high demand, perhaps even more so than now.

The old ways of technology and work are slowly fading out. With top tier video conference lighting, lightweight laptops and hoteling within offices, there will be a new way of life when it comes to our work. The traditional office work lifestyle will most likely no longer be the norm and new routines of productivity and work schedules will be coming into play.

1 Goode, Lauren. 2020. ‘Lights! Camera! Meeting! Videoconferencing Gets a Makeover’. Wired. Available at: https://www.wired.com/story/video-conferencing-gets-makeover/

2 Wiegand, Chris. 2020. ‘What is Office Hoteling and How Can it Benefit the Workplace?’. Inpixon. Available at: https://www.inpixon.com/blog/benefits-of-office-hoteling

Oxytocin and the pandeminc

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 10:48:54 GMT

2020 and 2021 is a time that hasn’t been easy. With a virus outbreak across the globe, markets crashed, and people were forced to stay inside. The anxiety of a health threat, with the added stress of many of us not being able to see our loved ones, it is clear that 2020 has impacted our wellbeing. subtitle for your new post

During lockdown many of us were not able to see the people we love whether that be close friends, family members, or romantic partners. Without having people around that we feel affection for, this meant a drop in physical affection that we are used to. The ability to be able to go out and hug a loved one whenever we wanted was a privileged that had been revoked and still is revoked for some. When we hug someone, we release a chemical called Oxytocin. “Hugging often creates a feeling of calmness and relaxation. That's because of oxytocin, which is sometimes called the "cuddle hormone." Oxytocin is released when people or pets snuggle up or bond socially.” The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Without Oxytocin being released as much as usual during this pandemic, this decreases the amount of calmness and relaxation which is a vital part of people feeling happy and content. If we think about it, a lack of relaxation can affect us in many ways. “This bonding hormone continues to be released into adulthood. Our brains also release oxytocin in social situations, so we’re getting less of this love hormone in isolation.”

Without feeling happy, this can cause a lack of motivation when it comes to work or simple tasks. Trying to get ten tasks done when you don’t feel calm or peaceful is certainly not easy. The decrease in Oxytocin could potentially affect our levels of productivity.

The good news is, despite the decrease in hugs effecting our daily routines and motivation, during The Lockdown many of us found new ways of expressing our affection for one another. In fact, some people may have made more of an effort to show love than before The Lockdown. Some people dropped food off for their friends or neighbours, to show they were thinking about them. Friends dropped of snacks, and others dropped off care baskets to help social distancing feel a little easier to handle.

Also Skype and phone calls were more frequent. The idea of calling a friend every day was something a lot of people don’t normally do, but without being able to hang out with whoever we wanted, whenever we wanted, picking up the phone and checking up on people became a lot more common. The feeling of someone checking up on your regularly to see how your day is going has a positive influence, it shows that people care and it’s a way of sending a loving message.

Luckily these new habits people have developed in 2020 has worked very well as a replacement for the hugs we aren’t able to have as much as before. In some sense, it could seem like a blessing in disguise, as people were making more of an effort to really show people they care.

Williams, Emily. 2018. ‘4 Facts About Hugs: Why You Should Embrace The Embrace.’ Dignity Health. Available at: https://www.dignityhealth.org/articles/4-facts-about-hugs-why-you-should-embrace-the-embrace

Coles, T.J. 2020. ‘This is how your brain is changing in lockdown: The neuroscience of coronavirus quarantine’. The London Economic. Available at: https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/lifestyle/this-is-how-your-brain-is-changing-in-lockdown-the-neuroscience-of-coronavirus-quarantine/24/04/

Face -Place -Space. Camera, Action!

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 11:46:18 GMT

Workstyle meet Homestyle in 3 Steps.

Step 1.Get your Business Face on (business attire).

People have always said that the clothes you wear can affect how you feel. There is a happy balance that allows comfort and dressing to impress. "Employees who usually work in a public-facing capacity and now are dealing with customers over the phone may not need to be dressed to the same standards as before." (1).However, it could be argued that dressing up for work, even without an office or official workplace, can have a great affect.

It's a known concept that certain clothes put you in certain mindsets. When at home, it's easy to put on what looks the most appealing, which is usually a hoodie or sweatshirt, but if you were to wear something you would have worn into your old office, this could possibly put you into a productive mood.

Another positive factor of dressing up whilst working at home is boosting your energy levels and giving yourself more motivation in the process to kickstart your workday. A writer from the Insider Blog, tested this exact theory for a week by wearing workday outfits whilst working from home. "As I walked to the kitchen to make my morning cup of tea, I felt a little more energized be dress for the office" . (2).

Step 2. Take your Place.

Get you Tech ready. Working from home is quickly becoming a new norm in our world.

Video calls are a part of daily life now, especially when it comes to work-life. And being ready for whatever video call we have at work is essential. We are now indeed in a Video world, which has taken a little time for most to get used to. Confidence shows in Video calls and donning your best office attire at work from home from time to time can have a positive impact on your workday.

3. Get Comfortable with your Space.

Yes technology is supposed to provide remote workers with a simulacrum what the office provided. Still, beyond that it is also so crucial that you are comfortable and fee immersed in the Physical Space you will spend you 9-5, Monday to Friday. Here employers need to need to support employees beyond providing them with access to the latest technology. "The pandemic has increased the trend of employers playing an expanded role in their employees' financial, physical and mental well-being. Support includes enhanced sick leave, financial assistance, adjusted hours of operation and childcare provisions." (3).

Covid-19, work-life has changed drastically. And this will be a fact that will stay in place in the future also. We will most likely not go back to the work-life we once considered as normal. The traditional office work lifestyle will most likely no longer be the norm, and new routines of productivity and work schedules will be coming into play. Understanding what supports your wellness, happiness and productivity at work is key to feeling comfortable in your Personal Workspace.

This can be as simple as 1-2-3, Face-Place-Space.

What do you think? Do you agree with the idea that dressing smart, even whilst at home, can encourage our workday to be more positive?

(1) Smith, Allen. 2020. ‘Dress-Code Policies Reconsidered in the Pandemic.’ SHRM. Available at: https://www.shrm.org/ResourcesAndTools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/Pages/coronavirus-dress-code-policies.aspx

(2) Lakritz, Talia. 2020. ‘I tried dressing up while working from home for a week, and I'd rather live in leggings’. Insider. Available at: https://www.insider.com/working-from-home-tips-outfits-loungewear-2020-5

(3) Baker, Mary. 2020. ‘9 Future of Work Trends Post-Covid-19’. Smarter with Gartner. Available at: https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/9-future-of-work-trends-post-covid-19/

Home office spaces. The "Second Skin" and enabling long term personal resiliency and creativity.

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 11:48:26 GMT

Our relationship with our workspace has gone through a process of metamorphosis.

A new future of work world is on the horizon, with technology we haven't seen before, routines we haven't experienced and attitudes we may not have felt with physical spaces that we thought we would never have to work in Monday to Friday 9 to 5. There will be some key characteristics that people will need to have on their side to thrive in this world.

Technology is going to play a pivotal role in our world with new online platforms and inbuilt AI devices. "DXC Technology's 2020 predictions for the future of work show enterprises continuing to reap the rewards of technology to drive business growth — and getting the people part of the equation right is essential." (2).

Whilst we all need technology to thrive in a new reshaped future of work and to be ever more tech-savvy there are other dimensions of how we work and what motivates us all that goes beyond the intervention and use of new technology and gadgets. This additional dimension is "Physical Space". Think of your home office space as a "second skin" , where if you feel comfortable in it, it brings out the best in you. The study of "Embodied Experiences" (3) focuses on how physical spaces have a direct and lasting impact on worker productivity and creativity. This is beyond what any technology can deliver, at least today.

Technology can and does augment improvements in how we can work in our home offices but recently published research (4) has shown that throughout 2020 displaced office workers, now perceive their physical workspace as more important than the level of access to technology tools.

Being creative is critical to foster home worker wellness, personal resiliency and in terms of merely staying interested in the work that one does. It was relatively easy to sustain engagement and creativity when people thought they would only be working from home for 2-3 months but now 9 + months later!

This "second skin" is a crucial determinant in this and how the home office space gives and not only takes energy and creativity. Every home office user's physical home space needs more than ever to be this "second skin".

We are now at the stage were to protect individuals home workers productivity and personal resilience we need to look beyond technology, to augment a creative and immersive workspace place for workers at home. How – start with a multi-dimensional "Persona" insight and intelligence analysis on Workplace " Space" design.

References

1. Codrea-Rado, Andrea. 2020. ‘The pandemic is giving people what they want: flexible working.’ Wired. Available at: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/flexible-working-post-covid

2. 2020 technology trends and the future of work.’ DXC.technology. Available at: https://www.dxc.technology/innovation/flxwd/147718-2020_technology_trends

3. R. Swinburne The Inevitable Implausibility of Physical Determinism. “The Inevitable Implausibility of Physical

Determinism”, Journal of Consciousness Studies, Volume 22, Numbers 11-12, pp. 43-59(17)], 2015.

https://www.dxc.technology/innovation/flxwd/147718-2020_technology_trends

4. J. Kelly The Sudden Requirement to Work from Home Due to COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions: Attitudes and Changes in Perceived Value of Physical and Immersive Workspaces. Research Paper, Published by IEEE Explore, June 2020.

Were Millennials the Dark Horses of The Lockdown?

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 11:10:08 GMT

During 2020, each generation had their own way of dealing with things, from boomers getting stuck into reading and baking, to Generation Z posting comical Instagram videos on surviving quarantine. But it could be argued, that out of everyone experiencing The Lockdown, Millennials (Gen Y) were the unsuspecting dark horses. And we are going to dive into why that is today.

Despite being joked about being unproductive and stuck to their phones, Millennials proved to be pros at handling lockdown. “Millennials (a.k.a. Gen Y) are stereotyped as lazy and entitled.” (1) This may be because of their reliance on technology and wanting to feel included, as most of their school days meant getting rewarded for participating in anything.

However, due to them having educational schedules they were instructed to stick to and an encouragement towards productive hobbies, Gen Y has developed a habit of wanting structure and productivity. This habit proved useful in The Pandemic, as having structure even from home was advised my many people, in order to make The Lockdown a time of work and productivity.

Furthermore, Gen Y are more aligned with technology. Being the generation that has plenty of phone applications and the latest PC updates, their tech priorities came in handy. With many people working from home, a lot of us were having to use Zoom for the first time and were faced with tasks such as downloading and learning how to operate new work systems such as Microsoft Teams collaboration software. However, Millennials are pros at getting around new technological platforms. Therefore, this aspect of the change in work routine was a walk in the park. “Millennials are known for their tech excellence and can easily find and manoeuvre their way around new productivity applications” (2).

They were also pros when it came to the expenses side of things in The Lockdown. This is due to many of their expenses usually being spent on going out and socialising. The Pandemic prevented people from doing so for quite a while, meaning Millennials were saving money. Here is an excerpt from a survey carried out American Millennials. “Seventy-eight of those of those working from home said their overall expenses had decreased, compared with 60% of those working from their regular job site. The reason: higher home spending on electricity, groceries and coffee was offset by extensive savings on transportation and eating out” (3).

Some of us would also agree that Millennials are the most productive generation. Therefore, it could be the case that they were the best at enduring a difficult time in the world. It seems Gen Y enjoys having productivity play a big part in their life, and so they may have made this a key focus when coping with the Corona crisis. “Whether it’s finding free meditation apps that help them stay calm, free CRM options for their new sales job, or automation tools for testing apps, this younger generation puts a premium on productivity” (4).

Could Millennials be unexpected professionals when it came to enduring a big change in lifestyle due to the 2020 pandemic? Maybe their tech savvy, productive tactics paved the way for them to use 2020 as a time for success and more than a time surrounded by just confusion and struggle.

(1) Gibbons, Serenity. 2017. ‘8 Reasons Why Millennials Are More Productive than Any Other Generation’.

Entrepreneur Europe. Available at: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/305794

(2) Author Unknown. 2019. ‘5 ways millennials are revolutionizing the workplace’. Western Governors University. Available at: https://www.wgu.edu/blog/5-ways-millennials-revolutionizing-workplace1903.html

(3) S. Fisher, Micheal. 2020. ‘Pandemic Lockdown Provides Silver Lining For Millennials’. Think Advisor. Available at: https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2020/06/24/pandemic-lockdown-provides-silver-lining-for-millennials/ (4) Gibbons, Serenity. 2017. ‘8 Reasons Why Millennials Are More Productive than Any Other Generation’. Entrepreneur Europe. Available at: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/305794

The Evolving New "Norm".

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:04:40 GMT

Can there be such a thing as a "Norm" when things are always changing?

The pandemic changed people’s views on many aspects of our world, Health, relationships, and our attitude towards work, in particular, where we work. In the recent past, many of us have gotten used to grabbing a coffee, getting out of our house and going to the office. But throughout lockdown, people’s office space was now their living room or kitchen, and that still is the case for many of us. This new way of life was a drastic change in the way we live. So what differences did this make to the way we work and what we think of the workplace?

Firstly, it drove us to become more reliant on technical devices than before. When people are in an actual office space, co-workers are usually within arm’s reach if needed and also the social aspect of the office. Co-workers could go to lunch and catch up whenever they wanted. Therefore, during the lockdown, many people took to social media and video calls to re-create this social side of the working world as the need to feel connected to others increased. Being isolated from work circles as well as friends and family let feelings of loneliness rise, and our tech devices played a significant role in helping with this issue.

Secondly, we discovered that some of us genuinely thrive working in a home environment. A recent survey commissioned by the World Economic Forum. “98% of people surveyed said they would like the option to work remotely for the rest of their careers.” (1), illustrating there’s an inclination towards working from home now. It could be because of the new habits we developed during this time that made working from home a productive workspace. For example, we were able to establish routines at home that get us into “work mode” such as putting on Lo-fi music, which is a popular genre that creates a peaceful atmosphere. Or having an order in which our work gets done or a particular area in the house where we find we are most productive. This change in the world opened our perspective and showed us how we were able to stimulate our productivity levels without an official office.

For others that did not work as well during the lockdown, it proved that some people are prone to better productivity in an official office space. It may be because it could set the tone for people feeling work ready in some cases, or maybe they find it difficult trying to concentrate in their home environment. Also, many people are more prone to lack of motivation due to not be able to do their old routine of getting up and physically going to another building for work. According to a survey by EY Consultancy, “Thirty-four per cent of respondents believe household members are struggling to maintain work-life balance” (2). Now that going to work can mean walking into another room in your house, the lines of work mode and home mode can be blurred.

Additionally, people have concluded that when working from home, it can cause an increase in fatigue and a decrease in motivation levels. When it’s easy to slouch on the couch and give in to distractions rather than get fired up and focused, this can be a significant downside to working outside an office environment.

Overall, during this worldwide shift in 2020, the perspective which people have upon the workplace has fluctuated. In some cases, people have seen how much they can flourish in a home environment, while others have discovered the setbacks to not being in an office space. Everybody is different when it comes to how you fuel your productivity, and 2020 has proved that statement more so than ever.

(1) Routley, Nick. 2020. ‘6 charts that show what employers and employees really think about remote working’. World Economic Forum: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/06/coronavirus-covid19-remote-working-office-employees-employers

(2) Shankar, Praveen. Baschnonga, Adrian. Whistler, Martyn. 2020. ‘More engagement, more anxiety? Conid 19’s impact on the digital home’. Ernst & Young: https://www.ey.com/en_uk/tmt/more-engagement-more-anxiety-covid-19s-impact-on-the-digital-home

The Lockdown and Human resilience.

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 13:04:39 GMT

Could this be a pairing that go hand in hand?

When we think of the word resilience, it seems strange that The Lockdown could be paired with such an optimistic term. The pandemic is a dark cloud for all of us, but through dark times, an uplifted spirit can often be more prominent than ever. Here are some of the ways in which people encouraged a resilient mindset during the rollercoaster of 2020.

The Era of Video Chats

Although we weren’t able to go out and grab a coffee with any friend or family member when we wanted, people embraced the power of video chatting. The ability to call and see the face of a loved one on our phone, tablet or pc screens was something we cherished. Zoom calls where happening left right and centre, and this was something that helped tackle a feeling of loneliness. It could be argued that some of us even felt less lonely than before. According to a study taken out by The World Economic Forum this idea might be true. “One study used augmented reality to enable two people to interact with each other’s video chat images and found that they reported higher sense of social presence and a more engaging experience.”

The Power of Atmosphere

Another way in which people took advantage of the powers of technology during lockdown was using YouTube’s content to create any atmosphere they wanted. Thousands of content creators have made videos purely to make you feel as though you are somewhere else. If people want to feel relaxed, there are videos of 8 hours’ worth of rain noises or crackling fires. If people want to feel social whilst working, they can listen to a coffee shop soundtrack, which in many cases is actual recordings from coffee shops. Here is an example with over 2 Million views, showing just how popular these videos are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD4dMdpNe_I&t=11048s

People can be transported to any place simply with an internet connection and a pair of headphones. During The Lockdown, this was incredibly useful. The videos encouraged a feeling of peace and positivity, as people were able to experience whatever atmosphere they desired.

Emotional Intimacy

No matter how close you are with friends or family, living with them brings a new level of intimacy. Knowing each other’s daily routines, habits and patterns encourages an undeniable feeling of closeness. Despite many of us struggling to live with family and friends and not being able to go out as often for time to ourselves, this aspect of The Lockdown simultaneously pushed levels of emotional intimacy. Going through this time with other people in your household creates a new bond that people may have not shared before with one another.

The Greatness of Gratitude

Gratitude for what and who you have in your life was prominent this year. With loved ones not being able to physically meet, an appreciation for one another strengthened. Furthermore, the gratitude for the healthcare systems, such as the NHS was a huge part of The Lockdown social dynamic. The Clap for Carers for the NHS was UK wide and every Thursday people stepped out of their doors and clapped to show their admiration for the NHS, who saved thousands of lives across the nation. This gratitude was so prominent, even the royal family showed their respect. “Prince Charles and his wife Camilla joined the nation by ¬clapping outside the front door of their ¬Scottish home at Birkhall in Aberdeenshire. A spokesman for the couple said that they wanted to show their “continued appreciation for NHS staff and other key workers on the front line”.” The atmosphere of gratitude was a key aspect of The Lockdown and The Pandemic as a whole.

Despite the struggles we were and still are enduring due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, a resilient mindset kept us strong. We learned how to connect better with one another, appreciate the people in our lives and show our gratitude for the silver lining of 2020.

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References

(1)Henschel, Anna. Cross, Emily S. 2020. ‘Here’s the neuroscience of loneliness, and why technology can help.’ World Economic Forum: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/neuroscience-loneliness-technology-lockdown-coronavirus-covid-quarantine/

(2) ΣHAANTI - Virtual Environment. 2018. Rainy Day at the Coffee Shop Ambiance - 8 Hours of Rain, background chatter and Jazz Music. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD4dMdpNe_I&t=11048s

(3) Fricker, Martin. 2020. ‘Millions join emotional Clap for Carers to show love for NHS and frontline heroes. Mirror: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/fifth-clap-carers-sees-millions-21917921

Digital Nomads.

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 13:04:25 GMT

Could digital nomads be the future of work?

Some people enjoy working in an office. But that’s not the case for everyone. In fact, other ways of working outside the office are becoming more prominent as time goes on. A prime example of this, is the rise of The Digital Nomad. This is someone who doesn’t work in the same space every day, nor in a traditional work setting. These types of workers are travellers, and they’ve set their life in a way so that they can be productive from anywhere. Whether in be a van, a coffee shop in Paris or a rental apartment in Bali.

The first type of Digital Nomad is the kind that has multiple places they call home, a sort of working tourist you might call it. They work remotely in different areas of the world, where they can earn their money whilst never being tied down to one place. This became especially appealing during The Lockdown, when people wanted to escape to a more peaceful setting. Tulum, Mexico, was a popular destination for these workers. Working whilst looking at palm trees and beautiful shores, surely anyone can see the appeal. “Tulum is home to a growing legion of digital nomads: remote workers who base themselves in exotic destinations across the world. They’re typically millennials who can quickly uproot, travel light and pursue creative industries which don’t necessarily have rigid nine-to-five hours or demanding bosses.” People working in the creative industries such as Music Producers and Graphic Designers, have the ability to work remotely most of the time anyway. But with The Lockdown putting restrictions in place, many of these nomads swapped their home offices for a beach with their laptop in hand.

Another type of Digital Nomad is the type that lives and works in a van. This idea of “van life” has become very popular, especially amongst big social media advocates. Many people are leaving their homes, converting vans into both living and workspaces. This is so that they don’t have to pay as many household bills, they can work remotely all of the time and they can travel whilst doing so whenever they please. As mentioned above many of these workers are fans of documenting what it’s like being a digital nomad on social media, sharing tips and tricks on how to work proficiently whilst on wheels. Others film their regular workdays, showcasing what it’s like not having a building to work in. Here is an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNuG7B_mXbM

The question is: What does this Digital Nomad movement mean in regard to the future? Could these nomads be the norm of work one day? With office spaces becoming less prominent as The Pandemic continues, we could see a major rise in these kinds of workers. More and more people are finding unconventional work life more appealing, especially after enduring The Lockdown. This is due to people realising just how efficiently they could work outside of traditional office spaces. Additionally, software is now available to us that makes is easier to work outside offices more than ever before, such as Slack, Notion or Google Docs.

Where do you think the future of workspace is heading? Will it be a world of digital nomads? The idea of switching up traditional workspaces is an attractive concept for many of us. Maybe one day, the idea of working in office spaces will be a thing of the past. Or maybe, no matter how many alternative workspace ideas come up, the office spaces will continue to be the majority. One thing is for sure, we are well on our way to finding out.

References:

(1)Christian, Alex. 2020. ‘Meet the digital nomads swapping office life for lockdown paradise.’ Wired:

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/digital-nomads-mexico

(2)Mr and Mrs Adventure. 2019. Van Life DIGITAL NOMADS | How we WORK REMOTELY in our Epic Sprinter Van Conversion. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNuG7B_mXbM