Working remotely from home has clear advantages. Just consider it; more freedom, more flexibility, less money and time spent on commuting. If you can work more from home, you can work from any place by going with your laptop and traveling the globe with your business. Every remote worker faces unique challenges, from distractions that are unusually hard to avoid, to increasingly complex responsibilities at home that make it challenging to find a healthy work-life balance. The amazing benefits of remote work make the effort you put into overcoming any work-from-home obstacle more than worth your time. The particular aspects of remote work mean that you’ll have to do some planning ahead to work from home successfully, develop a few good habits and follow some key suggestions. You can work through any work-from-home challenges that come your way, check out these tips to help you find success when working remotely!
HOW TO WORK BETTER FROM HOME
1. Communicate Proactively
When you’re not in the same office as your boss and teammates, you need to take your communication skills to the next level. Use email, phone calls, video calls, online chat software, and whatever other tools you have at your disposal. Ask when and how people want to hear from you, and follow those preferences. Be prepared to over-communicate to ensure you and your team members are collaborating effectively, and that your manager knows your priorities.
Effective communication tools for a remote team
Zoom: makes it simpler to organize a totally online meeting. But it's absolutely up to you what you decide to do with those meetings. This system can be used to host the phone conversations that your team has to make with clients or other team members inside your company. It can be utilized for meetings with various clients, webinars, and team collaboration. The messaging capabilities can also be used to maintain ongoing communication with your team. In the end, this is a system of communication that enables you to keep in touch with anyone and everyone.
Zapier: You simply need to enter information once with this app, and Zapier will transfer it as needed. Through this one, you can join to other apps, and from there, they can share information that they otherwise couldn't. Everyone on your team will be able to keep up with and track various tasks more quickly and easily as a result of not having to switch between many apps. That expedites your operations and prevents things from slipping through the gaps, which is easy to do if you are careless about managing each app well.
Google suite: You can create documents in Google Docs that are shared instantly with your team. This enables everyone to work together on various projects and generate ideas in a group setting. You can upload files developed elsewhere to Google Drive and share them with the team, or you can add files to folders and submit your work. Finally, Google Calendar enables you to plan meetings. To ensure that you never forget anything, you may even extract dates and hours right from your email. All of these things work together to increase your productivity and maintain team cohesion.
Asana: Asana makes it easy for you to keep track of projects within your team. To ensure that everyone is following their assigned projects and is on the same page, this system connects with Instagantt. With good reason, it is regarded as a task manager. You have the opportunity to organize, manage, and ensure team buy-in from a single spot. Simply create the projects and distribute the work to each team member is all that is required. Once they are aware of their task, they may take responsibility for it and ensure that everything is completed appropriately.
Slack: Slack is a group messaging communication software with real-time messaging, archiving, and search for teams, helping to keep teams engaged and improves communications around projects and topics. You can also create private spaces with fewer team members for more confidential information.
Microsoft Teams: Microsoft Teams (previously Skype for Business) now comes bundled with the Standard and Premium Business Packages. It allows you to collaborate with other people within a dedicated online workspace where you can have conversations and share documents. It offers messaging, voice, and video calls between people or groups of people. This is a cost-effective communication platform to communicate with individuals located in different countries.
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2. Clarify Expectations
Clarifying expectations starts by having frequent and transparent conversations with your boss and coworkers, making sure you know what they expect you to accomplish and when. Continue to manage expectations as you proceed with projects and tasks, providing updates and asking for clarification as needed. When you’ve met your deadline, ask for feedback to make sure you did what was expected of you. This will help you build trust and ensure that you are on the same page with your teammates.
3. Set Office Hours and Stick to Them
Decide what your regular work hours will be and inform your boss and colleagues of your schedule. Then do all you can to follow it. Your coworkers need to know when you’ll be available for work tasks and meetings, and when you’ve clocked out and on personal time. Creating a set schedule also makes it more likely that you won’t consistently work long hours, which will support your overall work-life balance.
4: Create a day routine
Wake up at the same time every day
Resist the urge to hit snooze
Don’t go online first thing in the morning unless it’s urgent
Turn on the lights and open the blinds for natural light
Drink a glass of water
Have a few minutes of quiet time to connect with yourself. You can write, meditate, or pray
Take a walk or do some light yoga to get those endorphins flowing
Shower and dress up for work
Have your breakfast
5. Structure Your Days
To work from home successfully, you’ll need to plan out and structure your days so the hours don’t get away from you. Create to-do lists, set goals, and come up with a daily schedule, including breaks and times when you’ll be able to focus on deep work. Depending on the specificity of the task before you, you may even want to break your day up into chunks of time dedicated to different tasks (i.e., 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., respond to emails; 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., work on project #1). The more structure you can build into your remote working days, the less likely you’ll be sidetracked.
6. Create a Dedicated Office Space
When you set up a home office space that is specifically for your work and nothing else, you’ll inevitably have fewer distractions. Find a room in your home that isn’t used for anything else, and turn that into your work area. Of course, when your office is in your home, you also have the freedom to switch it up once in a while to create a cool, new workspace that keeps it interesting.
While your job responsibilities ultimately determine what you need for your home office, there are several essentials that almost everyone may use. Here is a list of things you should think about getting for your home office:
Computer / Laptop
To do the necessary tasks for many vocations, a computer is used. Choose a computer that has the screen resolution, processing power, and storage capacity you require. If you value the versatility a laptop offers, you might use one or buy one. Additionally, several firms give their staff company-issued laptops or desktop PCs.
A standing or ergonomic desk
An ergonomic workstation is required for remote work. Find a desk where you can do the most of your job comfortably. Even though you have the choice of choosing a regular desk, a standing desk or standing desk converter allows you the chance to move around during the course of the day. Ensure that the desk you utilize provides room for your computer, monitor, and other objects you need close at hand.
A desk chair
You'll need a cozy and ergonomic office chair to sit in front of your workstation. While you can choose a more affordable choice, spending extra money on a higher-quality chair can offer better back support. Examine the chair first to see if it matches your needs before you buy it.
Quick internet access
High-speed internet usage is necessary for the majority of office occupations. You can quickly and easily move around your business when necessary with the help of a good Wi-Fi modem and router. Whatever internet connection you decide on, make sure it has the functionality and speed you require to complete your work efficiently. Additionally, you can think about using a hotspot, a free Wi-Fi locating software, or any free or low-cost internet connection alternative.
Monitor:
Consider purchasing a separate monitor depending on your preferences or how frequently you might require two computer screens for your job. An individual who works with a laptop on one side and a huge monitor on the other side, such as a graphic artist, could choose a dual-screen setup. Someone who frequently uses spreadsheets or works with figures may also want a second monitor for the best document reading. Remember that in order to connect your desktop computer or laptop to a monitor, you will need a compatible USB cable or other cables.
Wireless mouse and mouse pad, version
You'll need a mouse with plenty of speed and precision if you're using a desktop computer or want an alternative to a laptop trackpad. Consider a wireless mouse to reduce the amount of cord clutter on your desk and to make it portable in case you decide to work elsewhere or while traveling. Another way to avoid wrist pain is with an ergonomic mouse pad.
Bluetooth keyboard
You'll need a keyboard if you decide to utilize a desktop computer or a laptop and desire a more comfortable way to type. Consider choosing a wireless keyboard that might work with different laptops or PCs, and make sure it's generally simple to use and comfy. For your keyboard, you might also want to think about getting an ergonomic wrist rest set.
Headphones with a microphone and noise cancellation
You need a pair of headphones with a dependable microphone if you intend to conduct video conversations with your management, team, or coworkers. A good microphone doesn't only enhance your ability to hear everyone on the call, it also enhances their ability to hear you. Another option is to use noise-canceling headphones, which can help you concentrate more despite outside interruptions. Whether you choose wired or wireless headphones, make sure they fit properly on or in your ear.
Optimal lighting
You could require a desk lamp to facilitate your work, depending on how close to the natural light source your office is. To avoid headaches and eye strain, give LED bulbs for your desk lamp some thought. You can go one step further and spend money on an LED ring light to help highlight your face if you frequently participate in video conferences or presentations when you need to appear your best.
Filing cabinet
If you require a place to keep and organize crucial documents, think about buying a filing cabinet. If you don't need to store a lot of documents, choose a file folder and scan the remaining ones to preserve them digitally.
Bottle of water
You can stay hydrated and focused throughout your job by keeping a water bottle next to your desk. To avoid spills on your desk or computer, be sure to buy a bottle that won't leak and think about getting one that keeps beverages cool all day.
Sustained posture
Consider a few posture support items, such as a pressure-relieving chair cushion or a lumbar support pillow for your back, to boost comfort while spending most of the day sitting down. For standing workstations, an anti-fatigue mat or acupressure mat may also help with pain management and all-day support.
7. Use Task Lists and Time Management Tools
With no manager hovering over your shoulder asking for updates, you may find it easy to get distracted or spend too long on a particular task or project. Create and use daily task lists, noting what you hope to accomplish and how long it should take. Seek out other time management tools, as necessary, to keep you on track and ensure that you meet your deadlines. Time management tools such as;
Toggl plan: This software will be quite helpful to you if you are a busy project manager in getting things done. Toggl Plan gives you a dynamic snapshot of your team's plans so you can track their progress and react to changes right away. Additionally, it produces a visual roadmap that keeps everyone informed and encourages better teamwork. The Chrome extension connects Toggl Plan to any other web applications you use, offering versatility that makes it valuable to businesses like Microsoft, Spotify, and BuzzFeed.
Paymo: Paymo includes robust time tracking features for anyone who wants to oversee a project from start to finish, whether they work alone or in a team. A native stopwatch, a desktop widget, a mobile app, and an automatic tracker called Paymo plus are just a few of the different ways that time can be tracked. Timekeeping is practically effortless. Additionally, it generates invoices with evidence of work, provides insight into how effective you are with your time, and aids in determining whether your projects are profitable by comparing internal costs to billable hours.
Clickup: Clickup is an excellent productivity solution that helps teams of any size collaborate more effectively, manage their time more efficiently, and gather all of their work in one location. It delivers a feature-rich interface, is fully customizable, and helps you remain on track, achieve your goals, and keep track of project developments.
RescueTime: On your PC or mobile device, RescueTime is a program that quietly runs in the background and produces weekly reports on how you spend your time. You may really configure notifications that appear when you've exceeded a self-imposed restriction or restricted your access to specific time-wasting websites.
Evernote: is a free productivity program that enables you to record voice memos, organize photographs, and take notes on the go. To save time when your supervisor asks for your sources for a report, white paper, or blog post, you may use Evernote to "clip," or store, photographs of resource websites for future use. The ability to scan text in a photo using optical character recognition technology is one function that is really outstanding.
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8. Take Breaks
Without the rhythm of an office around you, it’s easy to get in a groove and forget to take a lunch break or stretch your legs with a quick walk. If necessary, set an alarm to remind you to take occasional breaks. You’ll find this helps you focus and keeps you refreshed so you can be the most effective and efficient worker possible.
9. Avoid Personal Tasks
To be a good remote employee, it’s essential to not let household to-dos take over your schedule. Sure, throwing in a load of laundry during a work break is fine, but make sure you don’t let miscellaneous household tasks dictate your workday. Not only will they ultimately extend your day past your regular work hours, but the constant interruptions will impede your productivity and performance.
10. Exercise Regularly
Whether you go for a run or walk during your lunch break or schedule an online yoga session to end your workday, keeping a regular exercise routine will help you combat the sedentary lifestyle that remote work can lead to.
11. Create a Strong Support System
Working remotely can lead to loneliness and isolation, but staying connected while working from home helps keep these feelings at bay. Until the pandemic is over, your only interaction during the workday may be virtual, but that’s OK! Virtual coffee breaks and lunches, interactive happy hours, and post-work Zoom meetings with friends can keep you feeling a part of a community.
Once you’re able to, try to occasionally work out of a coffee shop or local co-working space where others tend to work. You’ll meet like-minded remote workers and feel like you’re part of a group, even though you’ll all be working for different companies.
12. Plan Occasional In-Person Meetings with Team Members
While online communication tools will help you build strong virtual bonds, it’s hard to replace face-to-face conversations. Meeting with your coworkers and manager in person won’t always be possible (like during a pandemic). But when things get back to normal, it’s useful to schedule quick meet-ups with local team members and attend any offsite retreats that your company offers.
13. Take a Big-Picture View
On some days, your plans will fall through, and you might not be able to exercise or stick to your schedule. That’s understandable and completely fine—just be flexible, adapt to circumstances, and keep trying to develop good habits that enable you to work from home successfully. Keeping your remote work goals top of mind will help you be a good remote employee while also supporting a balanced life.
14. End your day with a routine
One of the top tips for working from home effectively is to create a morning routine and stick to it. Likewise, you need to have a work shutdown ritual. Essentially, this is a behavior that eases your brain into the other phase of your life.
Having a solid way to end your evening is crucial to improving your work-life balance. Especially for workers who want to balance working and traveling the world, such a routine can help create a strong boundary between work and downtime.
Here are a few tips that can help you end your day in style while setting you up for a good start the following morning:
Review and acknowledge your accomplishments for the day
Prepare a to-do list for tomorrow
Actively disengage from your work environment by shutting down and closing your laptop
Change to after-work clothes
Break a sweat
FaceTime or hang out with a loved one.
Advancements in technology continue to allow more people to work from home and contribute to the success of the economy. Working from home can provide you with additional flexibility in your schedule and allow you to accept more responsibilities. While you might miss the office, working full-time from home can be good for you.
For one, you don't have to worry about commuting every day and you can better care for your loved ones by being around more often. The work-from-home tips that we have provided can help you make the most of your new routine. Try out a few and you might find that you’re just as productive working from home as you are in the office.
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Did you know that for just £‎4.99 per month, you can have access to international remote jobs in any field of your choice from top employers and recruiters around the world? These jobs are open to candidates located anywhere in the world. Begin your journey now!