The rise of remote work has been a significant shift in the modern workforce as many companies seek to benefit from the lower costs of a remote team, while employees enjoy greater work-life balance. However, while remote work does offer many benefits for both employers and employees, it also requires unique approaches to working that are different from those in a traditional office environment. Remote employees must maintain productivity, communication, and motivation without the physical limitations of a physical office, making it challenging to achieve these goals.
This blog post outlines the best practices for remote employees who want to maximize their remote working experience by providing tips on establishing a dedicated workspace, improving communication with the team, setting clear work goals, prioritizing time management effectively, taking breaks, setting boundaries between work and home life, and prioritizing their overall well-being.
Establish a Dedicated Workspace
A dedicated workspace is an essential element of remote work as it can effectively help decrease distractions and increase productivity. With flexible work arrangements, it’s possible to work from anywhere, which can create the temptation to work in potentially distracting environments. A dedicated workspace will help remote employees remain focused on work and minimize distractions. A dedicated workspace will help remote employees establish a sense of work-life balance and facilitates the “separation” between work and home.
A dedicated workspace should have a proper seating arrangement, lighting, and an ergonomic chair. For example, some remote employees prefer standing desks that can be easily converted to sitting desks; this allows for flexible workspace arrangements, helping to reduce fatigue, back pain, and improve circulation. A well-lit desk will also help reduce eye strain and increase productivity. Additionally, a dedicated workspace visually sets the mood for work, helping to avoid distractions and enabling remote workers to focus.
The importance of a dedicated workspace cannot be overstated. Not only does it help reduce distractions, but it also signals to your brain that it’s time to work. When you have a specific place or room where you work, it creates a clear separation between home and work life. This separation is crucial because it helps maintain a healthy work-life balance. When you can physically leave your workspace, it’s easier to switch off and focus on your personal life.
When setting up your workspace, it’s essential to make sure that it’s ergonomic. A comfortable chair adjusted to your height, proper lighting, a computer screen at eye level and a desk where you can rest your arms and elbows can help you work without being interrupted by discomfort or pain. Remember, an uncomfortable workspace sets a poor foundation for a healthy work environment.
Improve Communication Effectively with Your Team
Communication is vital for remote working teams. Communication helps enable the connection, productivity, and collaboration among team members. Remote employees must communicate effectively with their teams to ensure that they’re working towards the same objectives.
Many communication tools, like Slack, Zoom, and Google Hangouts, can be implemented to facilitate communication with the team effectively. These tools can help remote workers collaborate, make quick decisions together or hold meetings, share files, and videos. The efficiency level of communication can be enhanced by making sure that messages are clear and concise and offer sufficient context and details.
Also, being responsive to email/messages is important in establishing a reliable reputation with the team. Being dependable and responsive also helps to show that the remote employee is invested in the team’s objectives and allows for better collaboration within the team.
Communication is a two-way street. You must receive and send messages that are clear and concise. Make sure that you have a clear understanding of remote work policies and guidelines, such as what applications to use for communication, how to access shared information, and the preferred time zone for meetings.
Sitting in front of your computer for several hours can be draining, both mentally and physically, so try to take regular breaks and communicate with your team effectively during this time. Some best practices to improve communication with your team include:
- Be reliable and responsive – make sure you regularly check emails and messages.
- Use appropriate communication channels – Use Slack for quick messages that can be sent and received by several team members or Zoom for video conferencing.
- Be specific and clear when communicating – write clearly so that messages aren’t misinterpreted.
- Be mindful of different time zones – make an effort to schedule meetings that are convenient for everyone.
Set Clear Work Goals and Priorities
Setting clear work goals and priorities will help remote employees remain focused and motivated during their workday. To maintain productivity, taking regular breaks and prioritizing tasks is essential. It’s essential to keep a to-do list and prioritize tasks to ensure that the most critical tasks are completed first.
Remote employees can use digital tools like Trello and Asana, to manage tasks and maintain accountability. Setting goals and priorities is an excellent technique for identifying and selecting the most important tasks to work on each day. Remote employees can try to accomplish the most challenging task in the morning, when they are at their most productive. This practice will help beginners to avoid procrastination and maintain momentum throughout the day.
Setting clear work goals, objectives, to-do lists, and priorities help remote employees remain focused and motivated during their workday. Planning your day or week, evaluating the most important tasks, and sorting them by urgency can make all the difference in productivity.
Remote employees have a better shot at success if they follow these tips for setting clear work goals and objectives. These include:
- Start with the most important tasks – Do the most important tasks first because they typically require the most focus, energy, and creativity to complete.
- Set a schedule – A schedule helps you stay on track and avoid distractions from the outside world.
- Use digital tools – Digital tools can help you manage tasks and improve productivity.
- Be realistic about time – Ensure that you allocate enough time to complete each task.
- Avoid multitasking – Multitasking leads to decreased overall productivity.
Take Breaks to Stay Focused
Staying focused during remote work can be challenging. It’s easy to become distracted by social media, household chores, and other home-related tasks. Taking short breaks from time to time can help recharge and increase productivity.
Remote employees can use the Pomodoro technique to stay focused and take short breaks. The Pomodoro technique comprises working for a set amount of time, typically 25 minutes, and taking a 5-10 minute break after each period. The Pomodoro technique helps remote employees stay focused during work and maximize productivity.
When you work remotely, taking regular breaks is essential to keep you motivated, relaxed, and productive. Taking short breaks will give your brain time to rest and help you avoid burnout. Consider taking a 5-10 minute break every hour or so to rest your eyes, stretch and drink water.
Here are some tips on how to take breaks effectively:
- Take breaks regularly – Set a reminder to take breaks every hour or so just as you would in the office.
- Do something healthy – Take a walk or move around for a few minutes to get your blood flowing.
- Avoid checking social media – Checking your phone or social media during your break can distract and waste your time while lowering your productivity levels.
- Take longer breaks when necessary – If you feel overwhelmed or need a mental break, don’t be afraid to take longer breaks.
Prioritize Time Management
Time management is essential for remote employees. Remote work requires a lot of discipline, self-motivation, and time management skills. Distractions such as social media, internet browsing, or household duties can eat up remote employees’ time if not adequately managed.
Managing time effectively will help remote employees optimize their productivity efficiently. Scheduling work for set time periods, managing time for breaks, and setting deadlines can help manage time effectively. Digital tools like RescueTime and Focus@Will can help remote employees manage their distractions and increase productivity.
Time management also includes setting a flexible schedule. While a routine schedule is helpful for staying productive, remote workers need flexibility in their schedules as well. Building in flexibility is important when unexpected situations arise, and the remote employees need to be available for emergency work issues.
Time management is foundational when it comes to remote work. In most instances, working remotely involves being responsible for your own schedule. You set the pace, build in events in your day that matter, and manage distractions. It’s essential to prioritize your time by creating time for each activity and blocking out hours in your schedule.
Excellent time management skills can help you be more productive and avoid burnout. Here are some ways to prioritize time management:
- Create a schedule – Block off an hour in your calendar to work on certain tasks, leaving time for unexpected events.
- Use a timer – Use a timer to ensure that you’re making the most of your time, whether it’s working on a specific task or taking breaks.
- Ditch distractions – Turn off notifications on your phone and computer or put them on silent to minimize distractions.
- Be clear and specific about workflow – Be sure to communicate with your team about work priorities and timelines.
Set Boundaries with Your Work and Home Life
Remote work can blur the lines between personal life and professional work. Remote employees may find themselves working longer hours, neglecting to take breaks for personal tasks or struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It is vital for remote employees to establish clear boundaries to establish a healthy work environment.
Setting a schedule, establishing a proper workspace, and taking scheduled breaks can help to create clear boundaries. Remote employees should also be proactive about communicating their availability to their team and supervisor. It is essential to set boundaries in remote work to prevent burnout.
As previously noted, remote work can blur the lines between your professional and personal life. Therefore, it’s important to establish boundaries that ensure a clear transition from work to personal time.
Setting boundaries can help you keep a healthy work-life balance and can make you more productive in the long run too. When you have time to relax and recharge, you’ll be better equipped to tackle the next day’s work.
Here are some tips on how to set boundaries in your work and personal life:
- Stick to a regular schedule – For the most part, stick to the same schedule each day to give structure to your day and set clear boundaries.
- Set goals – Set goals and prioritize during the day so that you get the most important work done before moving on to personal tasks.
- Keep separate work and personal devices – Consider using separate devices for work and personal use to avoid work-related distractions.
- Have a space designated for work – Establish a specific space in your home that is dedicated to work-related activities.
Prioritize Your Well-being
Remote work can be stressful and mentally taxing. Prioritizing your well-being is critical in maintaining a healthy work environment. Remote employees should take care of their physical and mental health to remain productive.
Exercising, eating healthy, getting adequate sleep, and engaging in activities outside of work are beneficial ways to prioritize your well-being. Remote employees should also carve out time in their schedule for activities that help them relax, such as meditation or reading.
When working remotely, it’s essential to take care of your physical and mental health, especially during times of stress or uncertainty. Self-care is crucial to stay motivated, maintain your energy levels, and avoid burnout. Remember that you are in charge of your well-being.
Here are some tips on how to prioritize your well-being:
- Exercise regularly – Exercising releases endorphins that boost mood and focus, making it a powerful tool for maintaining mental health.
- Eat well – Your food is your fuel. Eating healthy and drinking enough water is essential to your physical and mental health.
- Keep a regular sleep schedule – Maintain a regular sleep schedule to ensure that you wake up feeling refreshed and energized.
- Take time off – When you’re feeling overwhelmed, or your mental health is suffering, consider taking a break to recharge.
Final Thoughts
Working remotely can be both equally rewarding and challenging. Remote work provides the flexibility and autonomy that many employees need, and companies can benefit from reduced costs and a more engaged, satisfied workforce. It would be best if you kept in mind that working remotely can also mean that you’re likely to face unique challenges that require different solutions than the traditional office environment.
To maximize remote work experiences, you should take steps to establish a dedicated workspace, prioritize communication with your team and managers, set clear work goals and priorities, take regular breaks, prioritize time management, set boundaries between work and home life, and prioritize your overall well-being. By being proactive and implementing these best practices, you position yourself well to succeed in remote work.
As the trend of remote work continues to grow, it is vital to develop effective strategies that work for you. Remember, remote work is flexible, but it requires discipline, time management, and focus. By embracing these tips and staying motivated, you can thrive as a remote worker, maintain a healthy work-life balance, enjoy increased productivity, and maximize your overall remote work experience.