I have thought over the last 18 months that artists (as was true for me) had the least amount of adaptation to do working in isolation given that most work individually, most of the time. However, the lack of socializing had great impact on them. (As it did for most. )

Artists do need interaction, verbal communication, and yes, validation of the work they are doing. Just like your team. 

Your team may still be working remotely, in a hybrid model or adapting those models for future. Here are a few ideas on how to keep your team “balanced” as you move forward 👩‍🎨 — from an artists perspective 😊.

These are things I try to implement to keep my day productive and my spirit fueled :

I have discovered my optimal work time — for me it is from 10am til 7pm and sometimes well into the night (yes I know you can’t always accommodate each person's optimal timing but if you can, even for a day or two out of the week, why not?

Often I am so absorbed or focused on what I’m working on that hours will pass before I realize I haven’t moved away from the easel or even moved my eyes away from it. I have incorporated a step away practice to working. I guess I’ve been doing it for some time now as it is ingrained (most days 🙃). I will at the very least walk away, drink a glass of water, look outside, change the music, stretch and I’ve even taken a few minutes to change the music and dance. Those moves keep my view and concentration on my work fresh. 

dance like there's no body watching

To help your team do this, how about a random face-to-face meeting call? When they sign on tell your team member to keep the camera on, walk away from the desk and not come back before your timer goes off (make them interesting no Pavlovian conditioning required here).

spontaneity, random, unusual, out of character = fresh

Maybe phone them to check in but don’t chat work. Take a few minutes to ask them what the view is from their desk? What’s happening outside their window or the room they’re working in? Think you can’t afford the time to do that or it’s too personal an interaction? Do it once in a while and/or have other team members do it for each other. 

Artists have deadlines too — sometimes it’s self imposed, some times it’s for submissions or commissions but once in a while, when I’m in a highly productive phase, I will take a half day or few hours away from work to do a personal chore, or meet a friend for lunch or watch a show or video I haven’t taken the time to do. Trust your members to use those breaks affectively and ask them to take one once in a while. Or surprise them with it - “hey blahblahblah shut down for a few hours” - imagine how pleased they’ll be that you value them enough to give them time for themselves when they least expect it. 

socialize

And one more thing… I do try to organize social events with other artists, friends or family. It gives me something to look forward to, the commitment forces a break away from the everyday and work. Organize a team gathering whether in person or remotely with an activity that is different from the every day routine. 

Remember your 3Rs. Reconnect. Recharge. Rebuild. 

That’s it, that’s all I’ve got for now - back to the easel. 

Have a great day! Live the power of art.

creatively yours, karen 

p.s. that beautiful visual break I take when I'm at the canvas is by emerging artist Taruna Singh - one of the artists in our current group exhibition

#workplaceculture #teamculture #workbreaks #studiok2