Milestone 1: Find a Work-Life Balance
Finding balance with work and family looks different for every person and can be a struggle for many — even without the added challenges presented by military life.
Navigate schedules
Your schedule, particularly where, when, and how you work or learn, may be more flexible than your service member’s schedule; however, it may also be more independent and complex. Considerations include what type of career you have or what type of training or education you seek, and your current location. The operational tempo of your service member’s role may keep him or her away from home or allow for more family time. Whatever your situation, consistent communication with your partner about work and life schedules and requirements, while managing expectations, is necessary to meet everyone’s needs and to achieve your goals.
Resources For
Navigating Schedules
Google Calendar
Use Google Calendar to organize your business. Learn how to, “Make the most of your day: 7 Google Calendar tips”.
Spouse Education and Career Opportunities
Manage your Time and Reach your Goals
Learn how to gain control of your time with these management tips.
Military OneSource
Building Healthy Relationships
Free education-based consultation designed to strengthen your relationships.
All done with this step?
Navigate remote work needs
Remote work can provide the flexibility and portability you want as a military spouse; however, you may also face some common challenges such as feelings of isolation and disconnection. Overcome these hurdles by connecting with your co-workers and members of your local community and by focusing on your health and well-being. You are not used to putting yourself first, but as the boss and the employee you’ll need to set boundaries that allow you to carry the workload and maintain your mental and physical wellbeing. Don’t underestimate how challenging this can be!
Resources For
BUILDING COMMUNITY IN AN INDEPENDENT WORK ENVIRONMENT
VIRTUAL TEAM MEETINGS & COMMUNICATION
Create communication channels
Create communication channels to share appropriate personal information about yourself to your team, such as your hobbies or fun pet pictures.
- Google HangOuts or other video teleconference technology that allows you to see one another.
- Instant messaging platforms such as Slack or Google Hangouts Chat for free- Or Google Chat (for a cost).
VIRTUAL TEAM MEETINGS & COMMUNICATION
OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET IN PERSON
If your company has a physical office, or even if it does not, take advantage of or create opportunities to gather face-to-face to connect and collaborate. Suggestions include an in-person visit on an annual basis that coincides with an important event or meeting; team attendance at a work-related conference; or participation in an annual team-building retreat in a central location.If your company has a physical office, or even if it does not, take advantage of or create opportunities to gather face-to-face to connect and collaborate.
Resources For
WELLNESS IN A REMOTE WORK ENVIRONMENT
WEllness
CONNECT WITH OTHERS IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
- Introduce yourself to your neighbors and attend or participate in events or local organizations activities that align with your personal or professional interests
- Connect with your local Military Spouse Professional Network or other local groups found through programs like MeetUp.
WEllness
Get Active
- Work with a Health and Wellness Coach from Military OneSource to create a plan to keep you active.
- Tap into any organizational Wellness Resources offered by your employer
Wellness
KNOW WHEN TO SEEK EXTRA SUPPORT
- Seek non-medical counseling from Military OneSource or connect with your local Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC).
- If you need mental health services, Military OneSource will help you find a local option, or you can use the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator to find a provider.
- Examine recommended Wellness Apps from Military OneSource.
Real Life Snapshot
Working remotely “can be a little isolating. I work from home, coming to a new community not knowing anybody and not going into the office and seeing/meeting people (there either), but balancing that against having a paycheck – it’s life changing.”
All done with this step?
Developing professionally
Professional development activities and opportunities are critical for organizations to keep their remote employees engaged. As a remote employee working within an organization or independently, you may find additional value in continuing to develop skills related to being a remote employee. Seek professional development in your discipline and work on cultivating skills that will enhance your impact as a remote employee.
Tips For
DEVELOPING YOUR JOB-SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Develop Knowledge and Skills
CONNECT WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION
If you work remotely for an organization, you may not be as plugged into professional development opportunities as those in the office. Take charge of your growth! Request information for any workshops or training that may be occurring either virtually or in the office. If training is occurring in the office, inquire if you can travel in for meetings, training or workshops to take advantage of these natural learning, networking, and mentoring opportunities. The more you learn, the more valuable you are to them, so give them the chance to invest in you!
Develop Knowledge and Skills
CONNECT TO YOUR COMMUNITY
- Look for local training or workshops related to your discipline in your area.
- If applicable, get on the mailing list for local business associations or educational institutions.
- Borrow books on topics related to your career from your local library.
Develop Knowledge and Skills
USE VIRTUAL RESOURCES
- Use virtual platforms for training and workshops.
- Sign up for newsletters or view the websites of discipline-related organizations.
- Borrow an e-book related to your discipline from an online library. Review the information from Military OneSource about the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Digital Library for access to more resources.
Resources For
DEVELOPING AS A REMOTE EMPLOYEE
Search the following resources to enhance some of the most desired skills for remote employees, including computer, technology, communication, and time management skills.
Training
edX
edX provides access to over 2,000 online courses from leading educational institutions. Highlighted topics: Computer Science, Language, Data Science, Business and Management, Engineering, Humanities
Training
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning delivers a variety of courses across the business, technology and creative disciplines. Highlighted topics: Wide array of Computer and Technology Skills, Communication Skills for Remote Teams/Employees, Social Media Skills, Teamwork and Time Zones for Remote Employees, Time Management and Goal Setting for Remote Employees
Primer
Primer offers mobile opportunities to explore training on business operations, business management and marketing. Highlighted topics: Communication Skills, Remote Collaboration and Navigating Google Resources
All done with this step?
Seeking time for self-care
Taking time for yourself – doing something you enjoy or that provides relaxation – can help ease some of the stresses of managing military life. Finding and dedicating self-care time is often easier said than done, but it is vital that you fit it into your schedule. So, put self-care on your calendar, and read a book, do some yoga, speak with a counseling professional, try a new recipe, or just soak in the great outdoors – do whatever activity helps you feel your best.
Resources For
Self-Care
Military OneSource
Non-medical counseling
Confidential non-medical counseling provides service members and their loved ones with resources and support to address a variety of issues and build important skills to tackle life’s challenges.
Military OneSource
USE MORALE, WELFARE AND RECREATION OFFERINGS
Go to installations.militaryonesource.mil, choose I’m searching for a program and type in “MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation)” then select an installation or enter a zip code.
Military OneSource
Wellness Apps
Examine recommended Wellness Apps from Military OneSource.
If you could use a little practice with making time for activities you enjoy, review this checklist. It will help you generate ideas on how to include self-care and create balance in your military life.
Weaving Self-Care into your Military Life
- Make a list of three enjoyable activities you would do if you had a day away from all of your other responsibilities. Choose at least one significant (e.g., day trip) activity and at least two activities that take less than 3 hours to complete. If you want to connect with a new networking group or gain more knowledge in a particular area, see if there are any activities with that population or related to that topic.
- Use Google, the newspaper, and social media sites to search for local opportunities to complete at least one of those activities locally.
- Schedule the activity for a few weeks into the future. Then intentionally weave it into your schedule.
- Invite a friend, neighbor, or co-worker to complete the activity with you.
- Go do the activity!
- If applicable, identify 1 to 2 ways that the experience helped you with your career or education (e.g.., mentoring, networking, skill development, teamwork, a creativity boost). Share your thoughts with your new network connection.
- Repeat as needed!
