It’s no secret that working remotely has become a standard practice in modern society, with many Americans working from home due to illness, personal obligations, and more. Certain career tracks promote this lifestyle, too. Yet, working remotely can be difficult, especially for those who thrive within a structured environment. Even those, who are no stranger to remote work, might benefit from a few pointers!
Here are some tips to help those working from home get more done and feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of their workday.
Stick to Your Regular Routine
You might not have to don your regular business suit when working from home, but it’s still a good idea to mimic your regular morning routine as much as possible. Make your usual cup of coffee, brush your teeth, and get dressed – even if you stick to a t-shirt and jeans. Acting as if you’re heading into your physical work environment will help remind yourself and others around you that, though you may be knocking out your to-do list from your couch, you are still working.
Minimize Distractions
As a remote employee, you’ll be tempted to juggle at-home work with seemingly innocent behaviors like browsing non-work-related websites or binge-watching your favorite comedy series. However, distractions are sure to derail your workflow, so do everything you can to keep them in check. Consider listening to music instead of turning on that Netflix series. If you have a dedicated office space at home, use it – don't simply lounge in the living room. If possible, you might also consider leaving home entirely to perform your work at a coffee shop or local park.
Be Sure to Structure Your Day
When you go to work, you probably follow a similar daily structure. For example, you might always dedicate your first hour of work to answering emails or checking in with clients or employees. When you work from home, do your best to maintain that same structure, even if it means replacing certain activities with others. Perhaps you can’t reach all of your clients from the comfort of home. Instead, use that time to work on another project. It’s all about staying on-task, and for many people, structure helps them do just that.
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