It’s no secret that COVID-19 forever changed the way that businesses are conducting work. As a result, more employees than ever are now looking to expand the hours of remote work they can do from home each week — while many still haven’t rejoined the office.
A new Gallup Poll published in May of 2021 indicates that seven out of ten white-collar workers still work remotely. However, what may have been considered a passing phase has begun to shift how they approach their working relationships with their employers.
Here are five helpful remote working tips for those considering switching or permanently looking to work remotely.
1. Set a Schedule
While many of us fantasize about writing emails in our pajamas or attending zoom meetings wearing shorts, to be a productive remote worker, you must keep a schedule.
Scheduling your day keeps your home routine regimented like you would if you were working at the office. However, having a schedule doesn’t mean you can find ways to keep your day more flexible.
You can tailor your day around important non-negotiables and then sprinkle in some fun activities for mini-breaks.
2. Stay Connected
One of the biggest struggles of working from home is managing a way to stay connected. If you work in a fully remote company, this can be as easy as staying active on Slack channels. However, if you’re in the minority, it’s important to find ways to keep connected.
Consider creating lunch dates with important friends in the office once a week or creating a group chat just for your besties at work. It will help you stay connected while enjoying all the benefits of working from home.
3. Invest in Your Workspace
While working at the dining room table can be a temporary solution, it’s best to invest in your workspace to get the best results from your remote work. For example, you may want to consider converting one of your spare bedrooms into an office.
If space is short in supply in your home (we feel you), you may want to consider a backyard studio.
This is a great option for remote workers and people who have their own businesses. Not to mention, you can write it off as an expense for your business.
4. Take Breaks
In Cal Newport’s best-selling book, Deep Work, he talks about structuring your time into 50-minute increments of “deep work” followed by 10 minutes of break. He states that you’ll achieve more and become more productive by creating pockets of deep work throughout your day.
5. Exercise
Sitting in a chair all day long isn’t good for you. In the office, it’s normal to spend a few minutes talking with colleagues. It’s easy to lose that advantage when you work from home. Therefore, it’s imperative to schedule short spurts of exercise.
Perhaps you could schedule 10-minute breaks throughout your day. Deep work could be followed by 10 minutes of stair climbing, calisthenics, or yoga.
Remote Working Done Right!
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