Remote Work doesn’t have to be a hassle; follow these simple 5 steps to unlock its true potential.
Remote working has become the new norm for practically everybody. While it has its benefits, it can be a tough adjustment and if you aren't careful, it can take a toll on both your work and your mental health. It is important to find a balance between working, relaxing, socializing, and doing the things you love to do.
Looking to work outside the home? Check out coworking.
1. Use a planner
The aspect of remote working that many people struggle with most is staying organized. The first step in overcoming this challenge is to use planners! Not only are they going to make life so much easier for you, they’ll also become your best friend. You’ll be able to lay out your work, meetings, and activities for that week, then assign each one to its designated day. This will help you stay on top of everything and provide you with structure.
As you complete each task, cross it off your list. This is very satisfying and it allows you to see first, whether you were productive or not and second, how much you accomplished that day! Be proud of yourself, you set your goals and hit them. Planners are a necessity for remote working; they will NOT let you down.
2. Schedule breaks
Just like in a regular workday, it is important that you provide yourself with scheduled breaks throughout the day. Obviously you’ll need to take breaks to eat your meals, but those should not be the only breaks you give yourself throughout the day.
In order to be a successful remote worker, it is necessary to set aside time to do the things you love. Not allowing yourself to have breaks throughout a workday/workweek will cause you to get burnt out. This is one of the worst things that can happen: it can cause you to be less motivated to do your job, and ultimately can cause you to produce lower quality work. Not to mention, it will definitely be a huge burden on your mental health.
Set up work blocks for yourself and stick to them. This way, you are still productive throughout the day, but also have time to do the things you enjoy.
If you are looking for help making a block schedule, check out epic coaching.
3. Have a dedicated work space
Even though work is something you do, not the place that you do it, it is still important to have a dedicated workspace. It is a known fact that people work better sitting at a desk rather than lying down on a bed.
Having a place where you do work reminds your brain and body that it is time to get things done. In addition, you will generally feel more comfortable and be more productive in a designated workspace.
Your “office” should be in a location where distractions can be held to a minimum, thus to keep you on task. One thing I have found to be very beneficial is having my workspace in an area that receives lots of natural sunlight. It puts me in a better mood when I’m working and makes your work environment feel less like a dungeon.
Another great feature of having a designated workspace is that it helps to keep you organized, just like that planner you just ordered! All of the material you need to be efficient when you’re working is right in front of you.
Finally, keep in mind that changing it up every once in a while is a good idea. Most of the time when people hit a mental block, a change of scenery helps get them back on track. One of the most effective ways people go about this is by renting a co-working space. The offices and desks are available to you 24/7 and are one of the most reliable places to be productive. If you need a dedicated workspace but don’t have the space in your own home, One EPIC Place offers a bunch of different memberships to suit everyone’s needs.
4. Over Communicate
Like everything in life, communication is key.
Not being in the physical office might cause you to lose sight of what needs to get done. This is why it is so important to not be afraid to reach out to your colleagues and bosses once, twice, even multiple times a day to get caught up to speed!
Something to remember is that this is a new experience for everyone. Most of your co-workers probably have the same questions as you, so ask! No question is a silly question. Although it may feel like it, you are not in this alone. Your colleagues won’t leave you out to dry and your bosses are willing to do whatever it takes for everyone to succeed. Stay social, there’s no such thing as “too much communication."
5. Embrace its perks and conquer its challenges
The Perks
Now let's dive into the things that make remote working a dream come true for a lot of people.
The first, and most important perk to many, is being able to spend more time with their family. Even though you will be working in your designated “office,” you will still be able to see your family throughout the day. When I was home this summer, my parents constantly said that even though working from home was quite an adjustment, they would love for it to be the new norm because of how much more time they were able to spend with our family.
The next benefit of remote working would be ditching that long, expensive commute! If you're from a place where traffic is common, that 30 minute commute can easily turn into an hour if you aren’t lucky. With remote working, "you time" starts as soon as you close your laptop or computer for the day. Another benefit to remote working is being able to get more involved with your community.
Not sure how?
Here at One EPIC Place, we are heavily involved with the surrounding community, and co-working with us will open so many doors for you!
The Challenges
Unfortunately, remote working isn’t perfect and you will definitely encounter certain obstacles and roadblocks along the way.
The first, and most frustrating, challenge you will need to overcome is spotty WiFi. Your job is most likely counting on you to attend various meetings throughout the day, and if your WiFi is acting up it’s important to have a backup plan.
The second obstacle you will quickly become familiar with is the many distractions that take you away from your work throughout the day. The dog needs to go outside, or maybe it barks at everything that passes by your house; your kids are going to be asking you to play with them all day; the mail carrier will knock at your door to deliver a package that you recently ordered. These may appear to be small disturbances in your day, but they add up quickly. Before you know it, the day is over and you are left feeling dissatisfied with your productivity for that day.
On the contrary, maybe you live alone and have been feeling disconnected from your colleagues, or even society as a whole. In order to compensate for this emotion, we may distract ourselves by going on social media and texting people. This will have a huge impact on your productivity (not the good kind) and is something that needs to be kept to a minimum.
The Solution
Lucky for you, One EPIC Place is here to help you conquer all of these challenges!
Our co-working offices are equipped with the strongest, most reliable WiFi so you never have to worry about missing a big meeting. We offer cozy, yet professional workspaces where interruptions are held to a minimum--allowing you to maximize your productivity. On top of that, our members and staff are the nicest, most welcoming people; if you have been feeling alienated recently, we will be here for you!
Join the EPIC family today and let us show you why we are so much more than just a “reliable back up plan.” Find out more information about our memberships here. We hope to hear from you soon! :)
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