#WFH Diaries: Annabel Power of RQ
As folks continue to self-isolate in most parts of the world, we're checking in with creative people to see how they're faring. Here's an update from Annabel Power, managing director at marketing firm RQ in Los Angeles.
Give us a one-line bio of yourself.
Aussie marketing veteran living in L.A.
Where are you living right now, and who's with you?
A two-bedroom West Hollywood apartment—à la Melrose Place circa 1990s—with my beloved husband D.K., and our collection of half-dead basil plants.
What's your work situation like at the moment?
Mentally: Trying to maintain my own high level of positivity to keep the team motivated and supported, lots of morning video "huddles," and a million counseling phone calls in between.
Physically: Working from the dining room table, but I have covered it in fresh flowers and candles. Running shifts on who gets the comfortable home-office chair and line of sight to WiFi.
Describe your socializing strategy.
Connecting with our wider family back in Australia on a daily basis via WhatsApp, sharing inappropriate memes, and digital happy hours with clients, staff and friends on a rotating basis (not so good for the liver).
What are you reading?
On the light side, I love scrolling through Pinterest to find cooking and craft inspiration, but I also very much keep up with technology and current trends via my daily newsletters like The Hustle, CEO Daily, Fast Company.
What are you watching?
Lots of quaran-streaming at night. Just binged 50 Cent's Final Season of Power, and also Hunters was great.
What are you listening to?
Current rotating playlists are "Totally Stress Free" to keep me zen and the "Putumayo World Music" list (so I can pretend I am actually somewhere exotic).
How are you staying fit?
More like "getting fitter." Working from home is actually enabling me to walk around the neighborhood a few times a day to get my 10K steps, and the 30-day workout app. Weekends trying to get much longer walks in at local canyons, but making sure we are socially distanced from others.
Have you taken up a hobby?
I paint when I can but am thinking about taking up Punch Needle—it's like boxing with cotton.
Any tips for getting necessities?
Plan in advance – it will take some time to get deliveries via online carts—so think ahead! I am also using old-school recipes that utilize cans of soups and packet mixes to limit having to continually buy fresh produce. What looks terrible often tastes sensational. Spam frittata anyone?
An awkward moment since all this started.
My advice—MUTE. Stay on MUTE. This will help avoid very awkward home moments when your significant other forgets you are on a work call and is attempting to be seductive.
Best work email you got since all this started.
A client saying "we need to move forward on this now."
An aha! moment since all this started.
Just realizing the enormity and scale of impact this has had on every aspect of our lives. This epidemic is classless and we are seeing some incredible acts of human kindness playing out despite the uncertainty around everything.
I think many people are using the virtual hangouts/video calling to communicate and connect with others much deeper than we have done for some time. People are showing more vulnerability and are concerned for the welfare of others. I have connected with people I hadn't spoken with for a long time who are reaching out to see how we are coping.
What's your theory on how this is going to play out?
Think it will take some time to play out, so people will learn to slow down, accept change and adapt their habits. Despite the global economy taking a beating, we will recover eventually and many new types of industries and job roles will be created. I doubt the world will ever be the same again, though.
