Still, knowing how to stay effective and efficient while working remotely is crucial. Whether you work every day, a couple of times a week, or just working remotely while recovering from an illness, these amazing tips can help you maximize your remote work hours.
Stick To A Normal Work Schedule
An essential tip to keep in mind when learning to work remotely is to stick to a regular shift. Sure, having unstructured work hours is one of the most common perks of remote work, but don’t allow yourself to completely succumb to temptation. You’re only making things difficult if you do not set a consistent work schedule.
Following a set shift every day makes it easier for you to keep yourself accountable to everyone. It also makes you more likely to get tasks done, and it makes getting in touch with your colleagues easier.
These are some vital factors to consider when setting a remote work schedule:
- The time of day when your mind is most clear and productive
- When your colleagues, manager, or subordinates expect you to be reachable
- When communication with your customers or colleagues is the easiest
Planning Your Workflow
You need to be smart about planning and structuring your day if you want to be successful in remote work. Give yourself a couple of minutes at the beginning of your shift to note what your priorities are, the time you expect to spend on each task, and the things you can work on if you end up completing your tasks earlier than expected. You can also take a couple of minutes before you sleep to plan for the next day. This will allow you to sleep better knowing that you already took care of the planning.
Here are some helpful tips when you’re designing your task schedule:
- Tackle the top-priority tasks first.
- Take your natural cycles into account -- schedule the toughest task for when your energy level is typically at its peak.
- Allow yourself some breaks and enjoy small rewards throughout the day.
Separating Work Time from Personal Time
It’s equally important to give yourself some personal time when you need to just as it’s essential to work when you say you will. Avoid extending your shift way beyond what you planned since this will lead to stress and burnout. Compartmentalize your work life and personal life and ensure that one aspect isn’t constantly spilling over onto the other. This helps you stay happy, productive, and stress-free.
Dressing Up Like You’re at Work
Even if you’re working alone at home, it’s helpful to dress up as if you’re going to the office. This includes brushing your teeth and taking a shower. Having a routine like this tells your brain that it’s work time and not recreation or chill-out time. This will revitalize your mind and body while giving you more energy.
Wearing sweatpants or pajamas might be comfier, but you may also feel sluggish, unmotivated, and lazy. Dressing well and suiting up appropriately can supercharge your career, and this applies to remote setups, too. Try prepping your outfit the night before so you can easily get dressed the next day.
Creating an At-Home Office
When working remotely, it might be tempting to work from your bed, easy-chair, or couch. However, this could greatly affect your productivity. One of the best work-from-home tips you can follow is to always work from a designated room, desk, or chair.
Your brain associates your bed or couch with relaxation. Having a dedicated workspace lets your brain form the right association with work, thereby shifting your energy levels accordingly. You’ll feel more alert, organized, and confident if you work from a home office. Use a supportive, ergonomic chair, a big desk, and reliable work tools to make work as fuss-free as possible.
Staying in the Loop
One of the advantages of working in an office is the opportunity to easily socialize and collaborate. However, you don’t have to lose this just because you’re working remotely. While you’re working from home, check in with your colleagues at least a couple of times a week, whether by phone, email, or Zoom. Try to not only keep up on a professional level but on a personal level as well. You can do this without spending a lot of time -- just talk about the most important things, and encourage your workmates to do the same.
Working remotely is the new norm and almost everyone has jumped on the trend. Whether it’s temporary or you’ve permanently transitioned to a WFH setup, following these tips will help you to be more productive in your work regardless of location.