EDITORS’ PICK|4,057 views|Aug 25, 2020, 08:20am EDT

Reposted from ForbesCareersAvery Blank Senior Contributor ForbesWomen

Transitioning from in-office work to working exclusively in the virtual world was a big change. Heading into the fall will bring other changes to your schedule and how you work. The fall tends to be busier than summer and successfully managing a busier schedule takes some thought and intention. As you head into September, here are three things to consider to set yourself up for success working virtually:

1.     Set a realistic work plan to accommodate fall schedule changes.

Come fall, schedules change. Generally, people have more work meetings. Children return to school. This time around it may be particularly stressful with the changes in teaching instruction and having all family members in the house at the same time.

Use this summer’s respite before things rev up in the fall to do some planning. Don’t fight the change that is coming. Plan for it, and set a realistic schedule. Unrealistic goals or doing too much can set yourself up for disappointment.

2.     Be intentional about taking advantage of the outdoors as the weather changes.Recommended For You

One of the advantages for many who work from home is the flexibility to work where you want and take breaks when you want. Use the outdoors as much as possible. Remember, after fall comes winter. The temperature will only get colder. Enjoy the comfortable fall temperatures by working outside, eating outside and exercising outside as much as possible and per social distancing and mask guidelines. The outdoors can provide perspective and have a calming effect.

3.     Don’t be hard on yourself if you are not always super productive due to other demands.

Working from home and the pandemic may have changed your responsibilities. Maybe you now have to take on some homeschooling responsibilities to aid in your children’s education. Perhaps you have older parents who need help with buying groceries. Or you are devoting more time to household tasks that you normally delegate to professionals. You may have had less time for yourself this summer, and with work schedules becoming busier in the fall, you may have even less free time.

Successful people know that productivity levels ebb and flow. You cannot be super productive all the time. It is unrealistic. 

To set yourself up for success, accept that you are not going to be productive all the time. Then write down a few things you want to accomplish each day, and tackle those. Writing down too many tasks and not getting to the items may make you feel that you haven’t accomplished something. Be satisfied with your accomplishments, and don’t attempt herculean undertakings.

Fall ushers in changes to your life and the lives of your family members who are working and living under the same roof during the coronavirus pandemic. Establish a realistic work schedule to account for fall activities, be outside as much as you can and don’t worry about not being productive all of the time.

How are you preparing to excel this fall working virtually? Share with me your stories and thoughts via Twitter or LinkedIn.