In May 2018, CNBC reported that 70 percent of people around the globe work remotely at least one day a week. Statistics like that don’t indicate a passing trend – they’re highlighting a new model in the workforce. Like working in an office, remote working has its positive and negative aspects. You may find it easier to focus without distractions at home – unless the ladies from The View start to call your name. Remote working is a great benefit that keeps employee satisfaction high, and that doesn’t have to come at the expense of productivity. Below are a few tips to impart to your employees (or remember yourself!) to create the best remote work experience possible:
Other great work places can be found outside of your home, too, especially if you need a change in scenery or don’t want to be cooped inside all day. Forget the basic coffee shop you normally go to and choose the library, museum or even a hotel lobby. No matter where you are, just know that a good work space involves somewhere quiet where you can connect to the internet and get work done.
Using instant messaging tools like Slack or Skype for Business can make for quick and easy conversations throughout the day. These tools can also be used for brainstorms and collaborations across different locations to bring new strategies and different ideas to the table. When you aren’t physically with your team, it is more important than ever to show you’re being a team player and staying involved in the everyday when you’re not there.
Try setting a timer that goes off every few hours to remind you to take a break, even if it means getting up and stretching or grabbing a cup of coffee. You can also block off time on your calendar and go to the gym during your lunch break if you need a change of scenery and need a quick energy pick me up.
Another common remote work struggle is mixing your work with home life. When you’re working at home, it can be easy to think, “I can work on this all night” because you’re already set up, in the mode and ready to go. While it can be stressful knowing you might not finish a certain task at the end of the day – and working late every now and then is great – it’s very easy to make longer hours a bad habit when you’re home.
If you’re worried about not finishing all your tasks by the end of the day, consider creating a to-do list and reorganizing your tasks by priority. The timer on your phone can help you keep track of how long you’ve been working on a specific project and when it might be time to shift gears and work on something else to get through all your tasks.
Looking for more tips about blending your personal and professional live? Check out our blog on maintaining a healthy work-life balance in the PR world