9 Guidelines To Help You Navigate The Remote Work Life
Dan Levenson March 31, 2020
Technological advancements across the globe have made remote work not only a reality but also popular among professionals. Pertinent research by OWL Labs shows that remote workers are both happier and 13 times likelier to stay in their current roles. With that being said, there is still some reluctance seen in certain companies when it comes to allowing their employees to work remotely or from home.
If you are someone who prefers remote work or has a job that requires you to work from home, then you want to be at your productive best. In this article, we discuss 9 tips and guides to help you navigate your remote work life and perform at your best. Read on to learn more.
1. Have a Routine
When you work remotely from your home, you are not bound by the usual routine that comes with working at an office. However, you must create and maintain a routine to be productive. If possible, start working every day at a specific time, take designated breaks and set an end time to your workday as well.
2. Be Organized
It is easy to let go and be disorganized when working from a personal space. However, that is detrimental to overall productivity. Before you dive into your work every day, take 15 minutes to tidy up your space. This will elevate your mood and make working from home easier.
3. Have Dedicated Workspace and Tools
Designating a specific room or corner of your space to your work is important. Many people visualize remote work as working in your PJs from the comfort of your bed. But that is not sustainable.
In order to bring your best to your work, ensure that you have a dedicated workspace and the necessary tools for your job. Also, it is equally important to dress appropriately, even if you are at home.
4. Understand That It Might Feel Lonely
Remote work can get lonely at times and that is normal. If you find yourself craving for some company, then take a break and talk to a close person. You can call or video chat with a friend, a colleague or a mentor.
Accepting that you need to find unconventional solutions to socializing is important to manage your remote working schedule.
5. Communicate
Communication is the key to successfully work remotely. Schedule daily voice and video calls with your team members and other people you work with. Weekly sync-ups, one-on-one discussions, skip-level meetings- all are crucial to keeping the communication channels open.
Just remember that when you work from home and connect virtually with your co-workers, sometimes it is better to over-communicate.
6. Be Empathetic
Remote work is new territory for most people. As such, people must be empathetic to one another. Sometimes, there could be technical glitches or schedule clashes which in a physical office could get resolved quicker than in a remote setting. In all such cases, patience and empathy are much-needed tools to succeed.
7. Teamwork Is Important
Working as a team is even more relevant to business success when you work remotely. You will have to depend on others while communicating virtually. In such a scenario, you have to trust your team members to have the work done. Foster stronger connections with your co-workers to make remote working easier.
8. Refer To Policy
Chances are that your organization will have a remote working policy in place already. Ask your manager or HR for a copy of the same so that you can refer to all the guidelines. This will help you to deal with any issues appropriately and thus reduce any bottlenecks along the way.
9. Set Clear Expectations and Goals
There is a common misconception that people are not as productive when they work from home. While this is not true, it is good to have specific goals and expectations in place. This will help you to have a clear vision of what you are required to do and when the time comes, your performance can be easily evaluated. In any case, it is a good way to maintain your productivity levels, even while working remotely.
Shift in Focus
With technology advancing in leaps and bounds and businesses becoming global in nature, more and more employers are now incorporating remote working options. When implemented strategically, it allows businesses to hire and retain the best employees while maintaining great productivity levels. However, it is important that businesses also get the required insurance coverage for the remote operating model for maximum protection.
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