My New Normal

My New Workplace

"Don't Panic." - from Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy

Starting this Monday, I am mandated to work from home.  Non-essential workers were told to start working from home to protect essential workers from the Corona virus.  I was happy to work at home. With my CMT and asthma, I am at a higher risk if I do get the virus.  Even a simple cold can turn into a cough that can last for months.  I was happy to minimize my exposure.

I'm luck to have a job that I can do from home.  As a technical writer and now doing technical work, most of my work is done on computer.  For most of it I don't need to be in the office.

Technology makes that easy.  Everyone in my company is issued a laptop. We're used to remote meeting that allow dispered teams to meet via computer. We have the ability to share our screens also making remote meetins possible.

So I forwarded my work phone to my home. I still have a phyical line. Good thing since I only get limited cell service inside my house.  I needed a code to log into the company protected system and my cell phone was not getting the code.  All fixed once the code was sent to my land line.

I've worked at home before when I had contractors at my home.  I also worked at my Uncle's house doing bookeeping and billing for a bit. So I've learned some things that might be helpful if you have to work from home.

Office Space
Set up a dedicated area for work. I have the advantage that I wrote both my books and blog from my home office. I am all set up with a printer, large screen and all the office supplies I need.  I have been able to hit the ground running.  The area is well lit with natural light and I have a nice view of the park across the street.  It helps to keep me from feeling closed in.  I also have music and my radio. It helps me concentrate.

Boundaries
The challenge for me can be to cut off the work time. It is easy to blur the line between work life and home life.  I close my laptop at the end of my work day and take it off of my desk.  That helps to set the boundary for the work day. I don't use my laptop from work for any personal business.

Hours
Because I don't have to commute, I get out of bed, get dressed and go straight to work.  I get in some time before I start getting messages and emails to concentrate.  I also keep the same hours each day. I start at 530 am. Since I don't have the commute, I can start and end work earlier.   I work later if needed to attend on line meetings, but otherwise keep consistent hours each day.

Attire
Some experts say you should not dress too casual since it can lead to less professional behavior. Honestly many days I dress in sweats. I go right from work to working out. It seems to work for me.  Since no one sees me, no one knows about my casual dress.  If you are video conferencing, then dress the same way you would if you were going into the office.

Team members
Stay in touch with your manager and your team. We have instant messaging, Skype and email. It can be isolating to work by yourself and not talk to a single person all day.  Touch base with your teammates on a regular basis if only to preserve your sanity.

Technology
If you have technical support use it.  I've had several issues accessing systems and applications. Our help desk has been up and running.  I am able to work at all because of their support.

I recently updated to Windows 10. Because of that my printer was not working.  Since it was my personal equipment I didn't feel like I could use the company help desk.  I typed the issue I was having into a Google search. I was able to solve the problem by following the on-line help.

Upgraded Internet
I just upgraded to fiber optic internet. Slow speeds was annoying when working on personal projects in the eventings. Since I am going to be working at home for an extended period of time, it was time to update my internet speed.  Consider doing the same, espeically if other members of your family are at home using bandwidth to steam video or play games.

All in all I like working from home, sometimes it gets a little confusing trying to keep track of all the applicatons I have open to do my work.  But I better get used to it because it is my new normal.

*****************************

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship and at the Aqua bike National Championship in 2016. She represented Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015i, Cozumel in 2016 and Denmark in 2018. In 2018 finishing 5^th in the 60 to 64 age group.

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  She has won state championships in cycling and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2^nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Championship.

In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete and the book “Soup Sundays, A Journey Toward Healthy Eating”.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMTWe currently have 233 athletes in 41 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scotland, France, Turkey, Poland, Norway, Mexico, Wales, Ireland and Sweden!. If you wish to join us visit our web site; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.

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