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Hi Fishies! (Is that what we are? I’m going with it)
I just came across a Google Research and Insights role that got me SUPER excited and I was about to apply when I had the idea of seeing if anyone would be willing to give me a referral. I understand (and respect) that most of you Googlers on here feel that a referral is only useful if you know the person but I would be happy to jump on the phone to give you some info about me. It would mean so much! 4 YOE at a major audio steaming service
Does anyone here work for Upwork?
Additional Posts in Law
Apps for keeping track of billable hours?
Any recruiter recommendations for LA / SoCal?
Low on hours but brought in a client?
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Personally I can’t get shit done. I’m not in a position where I have to (thank God) but I feel for you. My only advice is that when I feel like that normally, instead of being mildly productive for a while, I just surrender to it and really F-off for a few days and then it usually passes. It’s like by surrendering to it, my natural state of “get shit done” comes back. Maybe take a few paid days off and binge watch something full on ....
Same. I had to switch to a “2 days on, 1 day off” thing after a couple weeks of WFH, but that wore off after Month 2. Now I just accept it if I have a couple unproductive days in a row. So far it’s worked out, as I’ve hit my hours March/April, and will probably hit them for May, too.
Concentrate on survival in your firm. If there are layoffs - which is happening in many firms - the least competent and least productive will go first. Remember-a firm is a business seeking to make a profit for the owners. At this time you can make a strong positive impression by concentrating and billing more hours than other associates. It’s your chance to stand out!
I think it depends on what motivates an individual. I agree that making strides to try to keep your job can for many of us help our anxiety. For others just thinking down those lines makes things worse.
I have anxiety, and have quietly freaked out at any sign of mild economic distress since going through 2008-2009 as a junior associate. Knowing how folks kept their jobs back then and following suit (being visible, seeking out billable and non-billable work, marketing work etc. rather than sitting around freaking out) helps a lot. Did that mean I didn’t spend some slow times this wfh period sitting around freaking out? No, of course not.
But my anxiety levels went way down when I worked out a plan for how many hours to work (billable or not) per day and used focus timers with scheduled breaks every 25 minutes or so. And focused on that instead of the news and Facebook. It is not in any way easy. But feeling more secure in your job, or like you’re doing what is within your control to keep it, really can help the stress if you can get there.
It might be helpful to allocate your time differently and take mini breaks (2-5 min) every hour to recharge by walking around outside, deep breathing or dancing to a quick song. If you have a longer project, try to schedule large blocks to focus on it and don't check your email/phone during that time so you aren't distracted.
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I’ve been finding success recently with the Pomodoro method. I’ve experimented with intervals and I’ve found 35 min work and 5 min break to work best for me (25 min break every 4 intervals). I try not to check my phone for the 5 min break and instead stretch, get a snack, or use the bathroom (checking your phone sucks time and is like a bumper-car minute—feels like you took no break at all, whereas holding each stretch for 30 seconds feels like forever (say a microwave minute) and gives me more value from the break).
I use Focus Keeper Ap and it’s really been helpful for implementing this.