Because of new technology, it’s a lot easier to work remotely now. It doesn’t matter if you’re someone who makes web apps or someone who helps someone else with their work, a lot of people all over the world like being able to work from home. People think that by 2025, there might be just as many or even more people staying productive working remotely than people working in regular offices.
However, working remotely isn’t just about being super comfortable in your sweatpants and PJs. A lot of people who work remotely have a hard time staying focused and getting work done when no one is watching them. There are a lot of things that can distract you. When you can’t get things done and you miss important deadlines, working remotely can start to feel like a really bad dream.
Luckily, you can still have all the benefits of working remotely and get your work done too. We’ve put together a list of helpful tips from people who have been successful working remotely. These tips come from all different kinds of jobs and industries, so they should work for you too.
- Master The Art Of Differentiating Personal And Work Life
The main problem faced by people who work remotely is how hard it is to keep their personal and work lives separate. When you can work from anywhere and at any time, it’s easy to mix up your work and personal time. To avoid this problem, it’s really important to have a specific place in your home where you work, or at least a dedicated area just for work. It’s important not to eat, watch videos, play games, or sleep in this work area. Your office should be used only for work-related things.
It’s really important to have a set time for starting and finishing your work every day. This helps you and the people around you get used to a regular work routine and plan things accordingly. Even though sticking to a fixed schedule may remind you of working in a normal office, it’s an important tip for being productive and something you should focus on.
Finally, make sure you have a detailed list of all the tasks you need to complete for the day. You can use different apps on your phone or computer to keep your task list synchronized across devices, but using a paper planner works just as effectively.
- Harness The Power Of Technology
People who work remotely need to have their equipment, like a computer with internet access, a webcam for online meetings, and a smartphone for communication. Those who use the right tools and technology will find it much easier to stay productive because they have fewer problems with their equipment. Instead of choosing a laptop that’s convenient but not as powerful, think about getting a desktop computer and using it as your main work computer. Desktop computers give you better performance for your money compared to laptops, and you can customize different parts to fit your needs.
If you do a lot of typing, getting a mechanical or ergonomic keyboard can help prevent repetitive strain injury (RSI). Having a second or third screen can also make you more productive when you have to work on multiple things at the same time, which is something software developers often do.
- Foster Open Communication Channel
It’s really important to stay connected with your team when you work remotely so that you can stay productive. This means keeping your communication channels open and participating actively in virtual meetings. If remote workers don’t stay connected, they may not know about important tasks and might miss chances to give feedback, which is valuable.
It’s also good to meet your colleagues in person from time to time, even if it’s not required for your job. Despite the technology we have, meeting face-to-face is still important. If there are other people in your company who work remotely like you, it can be helpful to build relationships with them to avoid feeling isolated. You can use modern tools like Skype, Slack, and Zoom to communicate and collaborate with others. Just make sure to adjust the notification settings on these tools so they don’t distract you and affect your productivity.
- Manage Your Social Media Usage While Working Remotely
Social media platforms can take up a lot of your time if you’re not careful. It’s really hard to stay productive when you keep getting notifications from apps like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Reddit on your phone all the time. To control your social media use and stay more focused, start by turning off all notifications. You probably won’t miss anything important by doing that.
On your work computer, install a different web browser that you only use for work. Don’t log into any social media websites on this browser to avoid constantly checking for new posts. If you have trouble controlling your social media addiction, you can try using a browser plugin that limits your access to those websites.
Use time-tracking tools like Toggl, RescueTime, Everhour, DeskTime, or Hubstaff to help you stay focused. These tools keep track of what you do on your computer and can notify you if you get off track from your planned tasks. They also generate detailed reports that show you how much time you spend working each day.
- Prioritize Refreshing Breaks For Enhanced Productivity
Whether you work from home or in a regular office, it’s really important to take regular breaks and do something healthy. These breaks are the opposite of mindlessly watching Netflix or eating junk food. Instead, you can do things like taking a 10-minute jog around your neighborhood, going for a relaxed walk with your dog, doing a short yoga session in your living room, doing push-ups and sit-ups right at your workspace, or even just taking five minutes to meditate and focus your mind. You have lots of options to choose from.
When you have important deadlines coming up quickly, it’s common to ignore taking breaks to be more productive. However, not taking these important pauses can harm you. Your physical and mental well-being affects how productive you can be, and taking healthy breaks is a big part of supporting both of these aspects.
- Transform Any Public Space Into Your Remote Office
When you work remotely, you can choose to work in public places like a peaceful park or a comfortable coffee shop. But it’s really important to know how to make these places work well for you. The main challenge of working in public spaces is dealing with noise. Getting a good pair of noise-canceling headphones can help you block out distractions, especially if you listen to music that matches the work you’re doing.
Instead of using public Wi-Fi hotspots that might not be secure, it’s a good idea to get an unlimited mobile data plan and create your own Wi-Fi hotspot. Keep in mind that your phone’s battery might not last a long time as a hotspot, so remember to charge it. Also, remember that each public place has its own rules for working remotely and being productive. When you work from a coffee shop, it’s important to be considerate and make purchases. Most remote workers usually buy a drink every couple of hours, but there’s no strict rule to follow. Just adapt to the expectations of the place while being respectful and productive.