The more Alex made the connection between a mindset shift and remote work, the more evident it became for them that working remotely required more than just technical skills or a good internet connection. Their traditional ideas about productivity, communication, and work-life balance needed to change. This process of transformation closely aligns with Lewin’s Change Model (1947), which outlines three key stages for adopting new behaviors and mindsets:

1. Unfreeze: Letting Go of Old Office Habits

Before being able to embrace remote work, Alex had to challenge and release traditional office-centric behaviors and beliefs. For example:

• Redefine Success: In the office, success might be tied to collaboration, team dynamics, or adhering to structured schedules that promote consistency. To unfreeze, Alex had to question these notions and acknowledge that in remote work, success is more about outcomes and the impact of their contributions.
• Embrace Autonomy: While office environments often provide direct support and guidance, remote work required Alex to build a greater sense of independence. They discovered the importance of taking full ownership of their tasks and productivity, finding new ways to stay accountable and concentrated without the immediate presence of a manager.

2. Change: Building New Remote Work Practices

Once old habits were unlearned, new, effective behaviors had to be adopted:  

• Redefine Success in Action: With the change, Alex learned to redefine success by focusing on results and impact. This shift to measurable outcomes allowed them to stay goal-oriented and aligned with their team, even without a shared physical workspace.
• Foster Intentionality: Alex had to adapt a new, more proactive and deliberate style of communication, ensuring that they stayed aligned with coworkers despite physical distance.
• Embrace Autonomy Through Practice: Alex started using strategies like time-blocking, asynchronous communication, and other self-management tools to structure their workday effectively.

3. Refreeze: Making Remote Work Habits Stick

Finally, to solidify the shift, it became important to establish these new practices as routine:

• Regular Reflection: Alex started to schedule time to reflect on their progress in order to adjust as needed and to ensure they stayed outcome-focused.
• Develop a Communication Rhythm: Eventually, they scheduled regular updates and check-ins to maintain transparency with the team.
• Integrate Autonomy: By creating a sustainable work-life balance, Alex ensured that their productivity and well-being were supported.

Alex began to understand that without a mindset shift, they would have continued to feel unproductive, disconnected, and overwhelmed.