While many organizations are preparing to return to the office this fall, if there’s anything this last year has taught us, it’s that the future is unknown. Whether you’re a remote worker, virtual learner, or a stay-at-home parent, you’re likely experiencing pandemic fatigue right now. The reality is there may be months of remote work ahead as we adjust to the future of work. Here are some ways you can beat the fatigue and ensure that you and your team are not only surviving but thriving remotely as you strategically prepare for what the new normal will be in the upcoming months for your organization and team:

1. Re-assess and Re-align Goals with Your Team

Strong leaders are always prepared for unexpected changes, however, months of remote work with no end in sight is one surefire way to fall into complacency. It’s okay to admit that you and your team at first were just trying to survive. Now that a return to the office is in sight but not yet here, this is the perfect time to pause and reflect. What were you able to accomplish professionally in the past year? What were the goals you had set for yourself a year ago, and where are you in your journey to meeting them? 

Whether you realize it or not, a year can fly by and the end of the pandemic may find us completely different as people and leaders. This can be a great thing. But it can also mean you may not have the same goals you once did. You have different strengths now, and different hopes for the future. What are they? Take this “home stretch” of remote work as your last BIG opportunity to re-enter society stronger and more equipped than ever to reach your professional goals. 

2. Prepare for the Transition Back to “Normal”

You’ve had a whole year to set up shop at home and maintain or even increase productivity levels of your team. In fact, your team members might even be wondering why you’re considering returning to the office in the first place. Even with the benefits of working remotely, there is much to be gained from engaging in a thriving, busy workplace with other people. Just as shifting to remote work was a tremendous adjustment to make, so too will be preparing for the transition back to the workplace. 

Don’t let your team fall apart in the last few months of remote work. If you haven’t already, you should begin having the conversations about returning to “normal” and what that might look like for your company. In fact, talking about what the other side of the pandemic might look like for your company and your team will help ease anxiety for your employees while keeping them engaged.

Remember that transparency and honesty are key to building trust. Letting your employees know who will be returning and when, as well as measures the office is taking to remain safe and the projects that will be more productive done in the office rather than remotely will help garner employees buy in. 

3. Remind Yourself and Your Team about Balance

Working from home, especially if you hadn’t initially planned to, can blur the lines between work life and home life. Striking that healthy balance has been a rollercoaster for most over the last year and maintaining healthy boundaries is essential to your teams’ wellbeing.  Many have found themselves struggling to dedicate the needed time to tasks and projects while others found themselves not knowing how to walk away from an office that lives inside their home.

It’s never a bad time to revisit that conversation, even now. Ask yourself and your team how many hours in a day are realistically devoted to work and work only. If it’s become hard to keep up or set aside dedicated time, talk about what you can do to support your team-member and achieve that balance again. On the flip side, what can you do to support a colleague so that they aren’t dealing with work hassles over dinner time or before bed? What can you ask of your workplace so that you can strive for more balance? This is an important refresher so that you can finish out the remote work life strong. 

4. Give Credit Where Due