Getting out of the office from time to time really does help
September 16, 2024
Since the onset of the first lockdown in March 2020, the way that we all work has changed, even if not permanently. For some people, there was a temporary change, where home became the office, but they have now gone back to full time commuting to an office. For others, it has become a hybrid – some of the week in the office, some of it working at home.
In some quarters, debate continues as to whether working from home, working in an office, or a hybrid model are the best solution: whether working at home leads to reduced efficiency, or whether it leads to greater efficiency; whether face-to-face contact is essential, or whether it is unnecessary.
The answer to those questions, is “It all depends, and the only people who can decide are the people involved.”
What is still the case, however, wherever your office is (or even if you have more than one office), is that it is vital to get out of the office from time to time.
Why, though? Isn’t the office where the works get done?
Well, it is certainly the place where things get committed to paper (or to its digital equivalent). It is also where information, knowledge and actions are stored –albeit virtually.
All those things are true – and will probably remain so.
But humans are complex creatures: we were not born in offices, and we all respond to different stimuli; we all need time to think; and we all need time to be creative. It is not easy to truly relax in the office – there is always something that needs doing; there are distractions, whether it be colleagues, or phones or screens.
Getting out of the office gives you time to think, and to consider what you are doing. It allows you to consider mundane things, even as small as where the office furniture is best placed; what time your offices should be open; do your security cameras do their job properly; do you even have any security system.
The list of things you, as someone who runs your business, needs to think about will always be long, and when you are in the office you will rarely find the time to do so. But make time to get out. Go for a walk, in the town or in the countryside. Go for a cup of tea or coffee. Take time to see what the rest of the world is doing.
And think.
Getting out of the office will also relax you, in away that taking a break in the office will not quite do. And when you do return to the office, you will feel re-energised, with a better perspective on what you need to do, what is urgent and what is not.
Meeting other people can fall into one of two categories: people who work in mortgages, and those who do not (who we shall call normal people).
There are plenty of events where you can go to meet like-minded people who work in mortgages, or associated areas such as conveyancing or surveying. These are great opportunities to find out what is going on in your world, but perhaps more importantly, what is about to go on. It’s great to read about the industry, but nothing beats going and talking to people, questioning them, and really understanding the opportunities (and threats) you will find.
Believe it or not, people who do not work in mortgages actually exist – and they can help you! Not only are these people the ones who are, or might be, your clients, the things they do can help to inspire you. It might be the way that they set out their business premises to welcome prospective clients; it might be simply the friendly way they give your directions on the street; it might beany one of a thousand things that go on in the world which, if you take the time to look, could give you just one thing you could change, and make your business and your life better.
At the very least, interacting with normal people can help you to have a sense of perspective when you return to the office.
So give yourself a boost – get out of the office, where ever that office may be.
