by Are you new to remote work? Are you excited but afraid at the same time that how will your remote experience turn out? Well, let me tell you, it’s completely normal to feel this way. I too had mixed feelings when I started my first remote job.
It’s been 7 years now that I’ve worked remotely. Trust me, remote work is bliss but don’t get me wrong, it’s still a job where you have to give your best day in and out. In this article, I am going to present some remote work tips that I wish I had known when I started working remotely. Want to ace as a remote worker? Then, read on:
Be Professional
One of the major perks of remote work is that you get to work from your comfort. I’ve seen people submitting documents, attending meetings, and doing various tasks from weird places like couches and rocking chairs. Well, sounds fun, right? And it may be, but once you get this habit, there is no going back.
Gradually, you may become complacent, and you won’t even realize how it will dent your productivity. My advice to all the new remote workers is to BE PROFESSIONAL! Because remote work is still a job. If your remote job has flexible work timings, fix working hours for yourself. I don’t mean to say that even if you’re working remotely, you should work from 9-5. Just make a routine where you know when you have to work and when it’s time to unwind. Plus, following a routine will help you to be more productive, for sure.
One more thing, I always felt that my productivity increased whenever I dressed up for my remote job. Lying around in pajamas was surely comfortable, but that comfort zone always created a backlog of work. Not necessarily, but dress up for your remote job once a week and see if you feel any productivity surge or not.
Invest in the Best Equipment
Not all remote companies provide work equipment to their remote employees. Instead, they may allocate additional funds to your salary so you can buy your equipment. Before I move on to why and how quality equipment is the lifeblood of remote work, let’s see what equipment you would need.
Ergonomic Chair
Work Desk
Webcam with mic to attend meetings
Printer and Scanner
I believe these pieces of equipment are vital for every remote worker. That being said, I didn’t mention a reliable internet connection because I wanted to discuss it separately. Even if you have all the work equipment minus quality internet, then all those tools won’t make any difference. A spotty internet that cannot support the tool you’ll use or meetings you attend is of no good.
So, before everything, invest in an internet connection that will help you ace the remote work. I have always relied on Xfinity; you can contact Xfinity customer service to check if it has suited plans for you or not.
Sideline the Distractions
There are fewer distractions in an office environment. But when you’re working from home, even the clock’s tick-tock can divert your attention. Diversions are part and parcel of remote work and believe me, it’s easy to sideline them instead of eliminating them.
To sideline the distractions, make sure you have a designated workspace. Ideally, your workspace should be a no-access area for your siblings, parents, kids, pets, or anyone else. Make sure it’s a quiet place and even if a clock’s tick-tock diverts your attention, get rid of it. And if you live alone, you can choose any spot in your house and mark it as your workspace. But ensure that you stick to that workspace. When you change spots every day, you may need to shift your desk, chair, and other equipment which can be a nuisance.
Take Frequent Breaks
With no colleagues to gossip, or interns to tease, remote work can be dull at times. And that is why I always recommend having short recess periods while working remotely.
There are tons of benefits of frequent breaks in remote work. Your mind gets refreshed after a long working period and these short breaks help in preparing for another long work session.
Also, you can get over your house chores, make a delicious lunch, or do anything you like in those breaks. Since you’re not in an office setting, you can also play games to refresh your mind without any worry.
Bonus Suggestion: How to Make Remote Work Fun?
Apart from the tips I’ve presented above, it is equally important to make your remote job fun. Simply because not every gets the opportunity to work remotely, and if you’ve found this chance, make sure to make the most out of this. Here’s how:
Make sure you have healthy fruits and snacks on your workstation. When you’re munching, any work, be it your job or house chores becomes less hectic.
Play music in the background when you’re feeling bored. Just make sure to turn it off when you’re in a meeting.
You can spend time with your furry friend in frequent breaks.
If you love to cook, you can try out new recipes any day without waiting for the weekend
