Priorities, Time Management, Structure – all things that have likely changed in light of the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Just like most of you, I have been making adjustments to my working schedule, taking necessary precautions, and following CDC and local health department guidelines to help mitigate the risk of getting the virus. For me, this is especially important because here I sit, 36 weeks pregnant with our first child. Talk about a whirlwind. From my wife not being able to attend doctors’ appointments to the question of who can be in the delivery room; the uncertainty is abundant.

The point is; everyone has their own story that is causing them to stray from their previously known “regimen” and how they conducted their day to day lives. At Zelle, we have spent a lot of time discussing how to stay connected within your work teams, how to effectively work from home, and how to increase engagement within teams. While all of this is vital, perhaps one of the most important pieces is dialing in our mental health and working hard to create our own new routine and structure so we can be present and productive during our day to day work demands.

One of the best pieces of advice I have received since the pandemic began is: you’re going to have to work harder to establish routine, consistency, and overall mental wellbeing while we are living during this time of uncertainty. This advice stuck with me because it’s true, it’s easy to just roll out of bed at 7:45 just in time for your 8am Zoom meeting… but have you tried getting up at 6? Enjoy coffee, read a book, get your workout in, or just mentally prep for the day? If you have not, I challenge you to do so. I am a structured person so I found out pretty quickly that I needed to work harder to get a new regimen established for my day to day life in order to feel at peace with what was going on in the world, what I could control, and in turn what I was able to contribute to my work for the day.

While these times during the pandemic are uncertain and scary, remember all that we are gaining with the added quality time each of us is receiving with our families. Remember how essentials workers stepped up to the plate big time to ensure our communities receive what they need to survive and even thrive. Remember that this is time that we cannot get back… continue to put the work in every day to be the best you can be mentally so you can show up stronger when we are on the other side of this.

What I’m thankful for: This is an easy one! My health, the health of our baby, and the health of my family.

Quote I like: “We can choose to be perfect and admired or to be real and loved.” – Glennon Doyle

Tip for productivity: I have found it very helpful to establish different places throughout the house that I work to stay productive. Sometimes a change of scenery is all I need to kickstart my productivity. Oh – and make your bed in the morning – it’s amazing how productive you will feel after a long day if your bed is made!

Hannah Murray

Vice President

hannah@zellehr.com