Remember our Working on the move experiment? It’s finally time to share thoughts and tips on why and how to work on the move.
“The main surprise was and is – why haven’t I done this before!?” —Andres Allkivi, Software Architect
During the four weeks period, Goforeans worked on the move together impressive 400 hours! They logged together 690 entries into the Heiaheia app where we tracked hours moved while working, and shared well over 100 pictures among colleagues. Challenge was spread around the whole group and people were participating in all our cities from Madrid to Jyväskylä. Also, people from different roles took actively part in the campaign.
The most active Goforean during the campaign was test automation specialist Sergei Pavlov. He worked on the move during the campaign time impressive 52 hours which means a rough 2,5 hours every day. “I found it easier to pace my day and get more done when doing some exercises while working. Working remotely alone at home I easily spend all day sitting on my computer, when I get a walk or a jog during the day, I feel more fresh and relaxed after work,” he highlights.
Are you interested in working on the move, but don’t know where to start? Our experts share their tips:
- Plan your day in advance. It is important to set up a goal to adhere to the schedule –Ana, Scrum Master & Software Developer
- Keep it light, do it often. Makes the whole day better! –Helge, Data Analyst
- If you don’t need to be a presenter in the meeting nor need a computer, just go with it. You can easily stretch, do small exercises, walk or even run. –Tero, Technical Project Manager
- When having meetings while running, just stop running while you talk if too out of breath. –Outi Määttä, Head of Account Excellence
- Short exercises like hula hooping, sit-ups, squatting, can be done in between meetings and tasks and they are effective too –Sarita, Service Manager
- If you need to speak up, it’s better to go aside from highly busy roads so that other listeners are not disturbed by background noises caused by the traffic.–Tero, Technical Project Manager
- Just decide to move and discover how much energy that gives. –Ville, Head of Business
- When walking with dogs, choose a route with low distractions otherwise you have to concentrate on the dogs instead of the call. –Oliver, Agile Project Manager & Coach
- Semi-work on the move is commuting by bike. Everything that happened during the hectic day finds its place during the commute. Biking is the perfect way to accelerate your actual heart rate but “slow your brain’s heart rate” after the day. –Outi Määttä, Head of Account Excellence
- Remember to write down all thoughts that came to your mind straight after arriving home from a walking meeting. –Tero, Technical Project Manager
Goforeans suggest you try these sports while working
- kettlebell weightlifting
- walking
- dancing
- stretching
- running
- skiing
- rubberband workout (tip: the rubberband can be fastened to the chair)
If you still need some motivation, check these
- I found it surprising that I was actually more focused during meetings when stationary biking, compared to when just sitting down during the meeting. –Jesper, Software Developer
- Sometimes moving outdoors helps you to learn new. E.g. when listening to a webinar, you might remember the uphill when you understood something. –Outi Määttä, Head of Account Excellence
- I also met new friends via the Heiaheia app where we tracked experiences! It was nice to give “cheers” and comment on someone’s tracked exercises. –Tero, Technical Project Manager
- Going for a walk and getting some fresh air helps to get more energy for the day. – Sergei, Test Automation Specialist
- It’s not even too difficult to code while walking on the walking mat if the pace is reasonable. –Jani, Senior Software Developer
What happens in the future: do we continue working on the move?
” I think this was “the” starting point for my movement habit – done once, could happen twice “, Tero Vartiainen.
We already know that people will work more on the hybrid model in the future. We strongly see that people should pay attention to the way they work especially when they are working from their homes. Going to the office, or some other working location and moving around during the day is much more active than staying at home. This leaves room for innovations that would activate the office worker during the day. We believe that simply taking breaks and pauses is not enough. The logic behind ‘working on the move’ is simple: when you move, you also activate your thinking muscles. When you move you are more productive and happier. Ta-daa! ? “I’ll definitely continue working on the move, and will try to find new ways to work on the move.”, Andres says and we suggest you follow his advice.
