HOW TO BE EFFECTIVE DURING REMOTE WORK

As coronavirus spreads, more companies are asking employees to work from home. Although working remotely may sound like a dream come true, working from home requires certain skills like discipline and strong communication skills. Here are some tips to be an effective and productive remote worker.

Find your ideal working spot

Setting a work space may be crucial for your productivity. Find a space in your apartment and designate it as your work space. This will get your mind ready to work and help you to stay focused on work. If you can sit down and be productive anywhere, that’s great. If you need more structure, establishing a designated work space (whether it’s a separate room, a fully stocked desk, or just a clean part of your living room table) can help tell your brain you’re in the place where you do work productively and without distractions. Managing distractions at home can be also a challenging task but not impossible. In order to keep your brain in the right mode, avoid doing non-work tasks during your work time.

Structure your day and prioritize

If you got used to having a certain structure when you were in the office, make sure that you are using it when you work from home as well, so you maintain your productivity levels. One of the most important qualities of a successful remote worker is organization. Set a schedule, and stick to it. Having clear guidelines for when to work and when to call it a day helps you maintain work-life balance. Set small breaks throughout the day, five to 15 minutes, and a block of time at lunch. By blocking out breaks on your calendar, it arms you for a productive workday, as well as equips your team to connect with you when you can be most present.

Stay motivated

Write down a simple to-do list for keeping you organized, motivated, and productive. As you create your list, think about big, long-term goals, like finishing a project, as well as small goals, like completing tasks that lead to that big goal. Checking off those smaller goals lets you know you’re making progress, which gives you positive reinforcement throughout your day. And the pleasure of crossing tasks off your list can help you stay motivated.

Maintain a work connections

Distance from the workplace often translates into distance from workplace values and community. It’s too easy to become isolated and feel like you’re alone in your work when you’re out of an office environment. Maintain a connection to the office by choosing to make calls rather than sending emails, and keep in contact (via phone or texts) with your department members.