Tips for Working Remotely
I am currently writing this post as I sit under the window of my partner’s family holiday house. The rain is falling on the tin roof and the river is flowing well, with little to no cars around the sound of bird calls echo through the trees.
Being able to pull myself away from my at-home office and work remotely is such a privilege, that is sometimes taken advantage of. We have such a beautiful country around us, so why shouldn’t we be able to pack up our office and take it travelling with us? I always find that when I am out of the office, there are many ways to get distracted, find inspiration or even learn new techniques, but that is strongly relied upon my sense of self-motivation and self-discipline.
Even working at-home in my office I share with my housemates, is sometimes a distraction in itself, I do manage to maintain a structure, working with a consistent daily schedule, while also having the ability to step out of the office when needed or change the task at hand freely.
I do always wonder about the employees sitting at a desk right now, stuck in the mundane routine of the 9 to 5, spending their time daydreaming of working remotely and the flexibility (and tropical beach offices) it can provide.
Looking back at the isolation that everyone experienced in regards to COVID-19 and being forced to work from home, I found this post an opportunity to help others understand what it is like to work from home, how to work with the distractions and how to motivate yourself for your day-to-day task.
TIPS FOR WORKING REMOTELY:
Create your own Space
It is most important that you find the ability to ‘switch-off’ at the end of your day, or even when you step out of your office. When working remotely you can find yourself checking your emails or thinking about projects out of office hours, and just like that, you have opened your laptop and find yourself working from the couch. The biggest tip I can provide to you is to build yourself an office space in your home, whether it be a desk in a living area or transforming your spare bedroom into an office. When you do this, it is important to make sure that this space is the only place that you work from during your day. Don’t go sneaking off to the couch to watch a movie while you work, you need to create that zone where you have the motivation to sit yourself down with no distractions and dedicate your time to your projects. By having this space set aside for your ‘office’, this means that at the end of the day, you are given the chance to shut-down your computer, close your office door and ‘switch off’ from your work and focus on your family, yourself and your hobbies.
Distractions & Lack of Motivation
Being in an office setting can provide you with a lot of distractions itself but being in an at-home office provides a whole new set of distractions, including pets, friends and family, the comfy couch or the rays of sunshine. This is your chance to knuckle down and take control of your self-discipline. You need to ensure that you maintain your quality of work at its high standard and make sure that you are completing it on time. There is no one there to nudge you on the shoulder, to help you in the right direction, or even to bounce ideas off. I find that setting yourself goals and writing daily to-do lists are a good way to start. Every morning before I begin my work, I sort through emails, take note of who I need to respond to, work out a manageable list of projects and task to complete throughout the day and sort out what it is that I personally want to achieve for the day. Do I want to fit in an appointment, catch up with a client or take time out for some personal wellbeing? It then becomes a matter of planning and aiming to achieve certain tasks before those personal appointments or the end of the day. When you see your mind drifting or your motivation lacking, you need to take control and refresh. Go make yourself a cup of tea, have a quick walk out in the garden with some fresh air and come back to your desk with a clear mind and driven focus to start again (but try not to find yourself doing this too often throughout your day or you will never get any work done). You need to focus your mind on doing yourself proud and your business, because you will only be letting yourself down at the end of the day.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Working remotely with no one else around to bounce ideas off, pull inspiration from, or even talk to, can be one of the biggest struggles. While you might be working from the comfort of your own home, some can find themselves going weeks without talking to others, which can contribute to the feeling of isolation. So, this is the opportunity to take advantage of what the world has on offer for you. While we may not all describe ourselves as social butterflies, humans are social creatures and therefore social interactions are important to maintain our happiness. According to The Black Dog Institute, one in six Australians are currently suffering from a mental illness with depression and anxiety being the most common. Working remotely provides us with the opportunity and space to prioritise our own lifestyle factors; specifically diet, exercise and sleep quality. It also allows workers to maintain a better work-life balance by being able to enjoy the world around them daily, rather than waiting for the weekend. They can spend time with their pets, go for walks, meditate, schedule needed appointments and better maintain social relationships. All of which contribute to a healthier mind and body.
While remote work is paradise for many workers desperate to step out of the inflexible daily grind, it is definitely not for everyone and could have negative effects on those who need more structure and thrive in a social environment. Make sure you take the time to work out what best suits you and your wellbeing, before jumping the gun and putting your health and work at risk. I would love to know any tips you have in regards to working remotely, please feel free to write them in the comments below to share with others.
