Though remote work has existed for decades, many of us were thrown into it in 2020 due to the pandemic. Since this sudden shift, more and more people have taken to WFH (working from home)—remote work is said to lead to a 20% boost in employee happiness—and many workplaces have embraced flexible working arrangements. That being said, there are challenges that come with remote work. Fortunately, those who have mastered remote working have some tips to share that make the transition as seamless and productive as possible. Here are five working remote tips to improve your remote work experience.
Make space for your work
One of the first things that any seasoned remote worker will tell you is to create a dedicated workspace. Working from home blurs a lot of lines between personal and professional space so it is important to create some boundaries for yourself. If you have a spare room to convert into an office, that’s great. But even those who have less physical space would do well to carve out a work station, whether it’s a small desk in your bedroom or a corner of the living room. The important thing is that it’s a space you associate with work, not leisure. Of course, you’re not limited to your own home. A local coffee shop or library can also provide a dedicated workspace.
Have a morning routine
When working from home, it’s all too easy to roll out of bed and sign in before having showered or eaten breakfast. This might feel like a luxury at first, but it’s an easy trap to fall into and can start to impact your productivity and mental health.
Getting ready for work, even if you aren’t going into the office, can prepare you for the day ahead and promote better focus. Even just showering and getting dressed before signing in for the day can be enough to refocus you.
Getting in a morning workout or going for a morning walk to simulate “going to work” can also help you transition from home into work mode.
Don’t forget to take breaks while working remote
One of the most important working from home tips is to take breaks. If you are working remotely—especially if you are working from home—it’s important to take breaks and make the most of them. It can sometimes feel worthwhile to power through lunch to finish a project or answer a couple emails before that next meeting, but taking breaks throughout the day is vital. Whether it’s a two minute stretching session before a call, a ten minute walk around the block, or a proper midday lunch break, your body and your mind will be grateful to briefly disconnect from work. You will also be more focused when you come back to it. For freelancers who make their own schedules, it is imperative that you factor in breaks yourself so that you don’t end up sitting in front of your screen for eight hours straight. Your eyes and posture will thank you!
Set boundaries with people you live with
Remote working in a shared space has both ups and downs. On the one hand, many people find remote work lonely, so having social interactions throughout the day can stave this off. On the other hand, having people around that you don’t work with can be distracting and detrimental to your quality of work.
It’s valuable to establish some ground rules and boundaries with your housemates or family if you are working primarily from home. For example, having headphones on can indicate that you’re not available to chat, as can working behind a closed door.
Even just letting people know when it isn’t appropriate to interrupt you—say, between certain hours of the day—will help set boundaries and keep you focused.
Establish a sign-off habit
People who go into work have the benefit of physically leaving the building when their day is done. If you work from home, the line is less clear about where work ends and home life begins. Having a sign-off routine is a reliable way to ensure your remote work does not bleed into your personal time. The first step is to set an end time and stick to it. From there, a sign-off routine can be as small as closing tabs, writing a to-do list for the following day, and shutting your computer down. You can make the transition even smoother by signaling the end of the work day with a post-work walk or treat.
In the end, the key to making remote work fruitful is hinged on setting boundaries and learning to motivate yourself. In many cases, this is achieved by integrating some structure into the day, which can keep you focused on the tasks at hand and enable you to fully disconnect when the day is done. For more insights and guidance on working remote tips and freelancing, head to our SkillPack blog.
