Teamit has been helping growth-focused companies across North America recruit, cultivate and sustain high-performing remote technical teams for many years. We’ve been leaders in the space since before the pandemic hit and forced everyone to become remote – whether they liked it or not. What has transpired over the last 18 months within the workplace is unprecedented and as a champion of remote work and a long-time believer in the distributed workplace, I feel workplaces are better because of it. Sure, there are challenges, but as we inch closer to a world where we once again have a choice as to how we structure our workforces, the pros significantly outweigh the cons.
The impact of remote work on mental health within the workplace is one area that has received a lot of attention and rightly so. There is no doubt that it is a complex issue with many components that are unique to each person, so I am not suggesting for a second that this brief article is trying to address this topic. But, from a personal perspective, I wanted to share my insights.
As a positive and upbeat person who likes to be around people, I was surprised how I was able to adapt so quickly to the virtual world. It seemed to me that the interactions I got from virtual calls were enough to satisfy my desire for human contact. I was motivated and energized by the new workplace and had never felt more productive. However, as the novelty started to wear off, I have noticed one consistent challenge which I have had to deal with. I’m calling it “Creeping Apathy.” Just as it sounds, it creeps up and, slowly but surely, sucks away your energy and motivation making you less productive, less creative and less effective. Am I depressed? No. Am I unhappy? No. Would anyone realize a change in me? Probably not. When things happen slowly, it is hard to notice that you are inching your way to the cliff edge.
I am sure we have all learned things about ourselves from the pandemic experience that surprised us and sometimes it’s hard to see or admit. For me, it’s that I am more of a loner than I ever realized, and if not forced into or required to socialize and interact with others in a meaningful way, I can become distant, self-absorbed and less about the team and more about me. So, I ask you to indulge me and look inwardly at the traits you didn’t realize you had that the pandemic has exposed which create your own "Creeping Apathy". It’s different for everyone, but the result, if left unchecked, is the same. A person running with half a tank of gas.
Here are some techniques I use:
Final thought: Be vulnerable with yourself.