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How to be more effective when working remotely

14th September 2021 Print

Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, at least some employers have seen a silver lining with the mandatory work-from-home policies. Some firms have saved money on monthly office rentals and their employees have been more content due to the remote, flexible work style.

If you are one of the thousands who have found yourself working remotely, here are six essential tips to become more effective not only at your job but to balance your personal life, as well.

Get Ready First Thing in the Morning

Instead of rolling out of bed and opening up your laptop to work in your pajamas, try designing a morning routine. Get yourself dressed as if you were headed to the office, even if you aren’t apt to see or be seen by anyone.

There is something to be said for preparing to face the day that can make you feel more awake, alert, and eager to conquer the tasks ahead of you.

Enhance Your Work and Home Space

Trying to utilize your house as an office, an educational room, an after-school program, and a space for rejuvenation isn’t necessarily workable. Since the pandemic, some real estate agents have been helping people to sell their homes and upgrade to something larger in order to accommodate their remote work routine into the needs of their entire family.

If you aren’t in the market to move, you could find ways to enhance your office space and make it more conducive to your preferred working style. It’s crucial to separate your work space from the rest of your home, so when you are off the clock, you can actually feel like you aren’t at work anymore.

Upgrade your desk with a rising platform so it can transform into a standing desk. Set your work station up by a window for natural light.

Spend a little extra money on your office supplies, to add a whiteboard to your nook or a filing cabinet to keep things better organized. Figure out what would make your labor a bit easier, and make the most of your home office.

Try a Coworking Space

You might be accustomed to the camaraderie in an office. Remote work doesn’t usually offer much opportunity for social interaction, which can be a key element for certain employees to thrive.

If you’re that type, try a nearby coworking space or devote at least a day or two each week to working in a coffee shop. That might give you the opportunity to fill your cup with conversation and human connection, and balance it with some quiet home-office time.

Set a Schedule For Yourself

Not every remote job requires you to work the typical 9-to-5 shift. Some positions allow for more flexibility.

More flexibility demands more responsibility and self-discipline, however. Set a regular schedule and do your best to stick to it.

It’s too easy to slack off when you aren’t reporting to someone else every day. If you have an explicit routine, though, you can have consistency and can hold yourself more accountable.

Stay in Contact with Your Team

Working remotely can make it easy to forget to communicate with your team. If you’re working primarily by yourself, you can come to accept a sense of isolation from your coworkers as normal.

Suggest to your manager that he or she might set up weekly virtual happy hours or allow for a special monthly event you may host online. If you’re a manager or supervisor, consider setting up a retreat to bring your employees physically closer.

Give people an opportunity to meet in person so they will feel more connected to one another otherwise.

Don’t Forget to Take Breaks

Moving your body up and away from your screen is essential to improve productivity. Set an alarm on your phone every hour to make sure you get up from your chair, stretch, take a walk, or give someone a call.

The truth is, employees find it more difficult to step away from work at home, and have ended up overworking because they have a hard time disconnecting.

Reminders from your phone will alert you when it’s time to get moving, and maybe when it’s time to call it a day. This can help prevent burnout, which will subtract not only from your professional life but your personal life too.

The tips above are designed to help you become more productive with your remote work, but also to find balance with your personal life. Make sure to make the time to take care of yourself and avoid the threat of burnout.