Working remotely is now a common thing, and some persons may quickly choose that option of work if offered by a company. Working remotely can become as hectic even more as working in the office if care is not taken. Before sharing tips on how to effectively manage working remotely, some major disadvantages and problems this can cause are;
Distractions and lack of boundaries
Many people work from home because they want more time to spend on their hobbies or with their family. But the lack of a concrete boundary between work and home can lead to distractions such as interruptions by the kids or doing domestic chores during work time.
Knowing when to stop
As a remote worker, it can be difficult to know when to unplug and stop working, making work feel never-ending. In one study, 39% of remote workers reported working longer hours than they were supposed to.
Loneliness and isolation
To effectively combat those issues, here are some tips;
Find the right space
Whether its a room in your home, a shared workspace, or a favorite coffee shop, the environment matters when working remotely. Make sure temperature and noise levels are comfortable for you, you have plenty of space for your equipment, and its somewhere youre not likely to be disturbed. Look for areas that offer natural light to help you feel energized.
Set a schedule
Working remotely often means more flexibility so you might have more choice about when you do your tasks. But while this can be a very good thing, you might find that not having such strict deadlines means work bleeds into other areas of your life, which can be stressful. So its important to set yourself a schedule and stick to it as much as you can.
Get dressed
No, seriously. It may be tempting to work in your pajamas, but it wont make you feel professional. And its not a good look on a video call. Clothes influence our mood and emotions, so wear something that makes you feel motivated, professional and confident. Getting dressed for work will also help you mark the distinction between work and home life, helping you switch off when the working day is over.
Plan breaks
With no prompts to take lunch and coffee breaks, remote workers can find whole days passing in front of a screen. Taking a break is energizing, especially if you can get outside, so set yourself a schedule and make sure every day features at least a walk around the block. If its not possible to go out, get some activity going indoors.
Communicate, communicate, communicate
Working remotely requires more communication not less. Use instant messaging and group chat to stay in the loop with colleagues and projects, video call into meetings, and above all, check in with colleagues and managers.
The biggest problem I've found is removing all distractions. It's very easy to flick on to Youtube or start skimming through somewhere like Reddit endlessly finding new trash to watch when you should be working. To me having separation of going into the office, being around different people and in an environment specifically geared towards working is best for the mind. You can stay focused on the task at hand and depending on the setting you're working in, get exposed to different people throughout your organization who you might otherwise never encounter if you're working at home. Plus you can switch off more easily when there is a physical separation of going into the workplace.