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Remote work has become more normalised in recent years, and the trend is here to stay. According to a recent report from LinkedIn, for the first time, more people have applied for remote roles than in-office roles advertised. The benefits of remote work are vast and varied, including no commute, better for the environment and time productivity, no pop-up meetings or distractions from other employees or drop-in clients, no office dress code, and the opportunity to work flexible hours.
Although there are many advantages to remote work, some people struggle to stay motivated and may face distractions while working from home. One of the most significant challenges faced by remote workers is drawing a line between personal and professional time. It is important to implement methods to stay productive, keep on track with work, and stay motivated when working remotely. This article will discuss 8 ways to ensure
Setting boundaries
The first way to ensure productivity when working remotely is to set boundaries. It is important to establish working hours and stick to them. This means not scheduling any personal calls or errands during that time and spending a regular amount of time on lunch. Family members should know the appropriate times to call. It also means not checking emails out of hours and setting rules to turn off pop-up notifications. Communicating with the team to let them know what to expect is also essential.
Structuring your day
The second way to ensure productivity while working remotely is to structure the day. Using a calendar or making a to-do list is usually the best bet for success. Maximising effectiveness by keeping it very similar to a typical workday is important. Setting meetings with co-workers rather than responding to interruptions can keep you on task. Using technology like Monday.com or Trello to know what tasks need to be done and when can be a good way to manage expectations.
Co-worker Interaction
The third way to ensure productivity is to interact with co-workers, creating strong relationships and building trust can be hard when you are not face to face. Building trust and relationships will create a support network for questions or concerns. Most employers will have an intranet or social board for staff. Make a point each day to check in at a scheduled time, reviewing what is going on – i.e. reading what others are working on, wishing them a happy birthday, or congratulating them on a recent achievement. Staying connected to colleagues will help them see you are invested in the workplace. It can increase job satisfaction and ensure you and others feel like a connected team.
Having a designated work area
The fourth way to ensure productivity is to set up a work area. Having an actual desk area and choosing a desk and chair that are ergonomically designed to work comfortably all day is important. Keeping good posture can help decrease stress on the body. Keeping the workspace free from clutter and developing a system for keeping important files and paperwork organised can be beneficial to ensuring productivity. There are lots of options to get creative with storage options.
Task management and focus
The fifth way to ensure productivity is to focus on one task at a time. Rather than trying to multitask, focusing on one task at a time will help with staying organised. Working on one task at a time will reduce the stress of trying to juggle everything and stop your brain from having to refocus on different topics.
Separate workspaces from family spaces
The sixth way to ensure productivity is to separate workspaces from family spaces. Separating the workspace from family spaces can maximise productivity. People who work in offices get to physically leave work each day, making it easier to forget about work once they are finished. Since working from home doesn’t allow this physical distance, dedicating a set area that is closed off or blocked off from view will create the feeling of disconnection and the focus can be on family or personal life.
Get outside for a break
The seventh way to ensure productivity is to take breaks outside. When taking work breaks, use some of them to step outside as this can clear the mind and prepare you for the next block of work. It’s a chance to get some fresh air and a chance to think through what’s ahead. The key to this break is don’t take the phone.
Work to your body clock
The eighth way to ensure productivity is working to your body clock. Most people know when they are most productive, some people are not morning types, others do their best in the evening. Structuring the day to work to these strengths can see productivity rise significantly. We get more done when we work to our body clocks. Obviously, discussing this with your team/manager is recommended
If you or your organisation needs help or more information on remote working structures and tools there is a treasure trove of information from many sources to investigate further, such as:
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