One key #flexibleworking practice, working remotely, has now become common place thanks to a certain global pandemic. I am specifically calling it working remotely, rather than working from home, as often the work we do in the home (think work from home mum or carer) is often under appreciated.
Moving fully remote has been a transition for many of us, as it does require us to rethink how we work. It has loads of pros. We can walk our kids to school, we no longer lose hours of our days commuting, and loads of people have been able to move, no longer tied to a physical office location. It also has cons. It can be lonely. You can get distracted. Other people in your household may not understand the peace you need. You may not have that much physical space as you live with housemates or in a small apartment. The good news is, there are practical steps you can take to make your remote working set up super productive (and enjoyable).
Here are my top 5 tips for being productive as a remote worker:
Plan and organise relentlessly
Take microbreaks
Find your space
Get dressed
Socialising is still important
Tip 1: Plan and organise relentlessly
I found an article recently that talked about in this new world of remote, that those who are organised and gets things done will win. And I can understand that. Gone are the normal social cues of timing e.g. people heading for lunch, or leaving the office at the end of the day. No one can see you working, so it's easier to find your focus drifting. People can't see you to know you are busy (remember when you used to be able to put on a pair of headphones as a sign of do not disturb. Now they are a constant fixture on my head!)
So how do you stay organized and keep your focus? Three things that we are really working for me right now?
Use a daily planner. I like to note what are meetings, and what are to do tasks. I also like to include my workouts, so I prioritise them too
If you prefer online tools, make sure your online calendar is working for you e.g. colour code different meeting types, leave gaps between meetings when you can, or start meetings 5 mins past the hour to allow time for comfort breaks
Use a power list, alongside your to do list. A to do list focuses on tasks e.g. send follow up email, whereas power lists are more strategic in nature e.g. do an hour of elearning. This helps you balance the strategic and transactional demands on your time (proactive vs reactive is how this is usually described in the customer success world)
Tip 2: Take microbreaks as you work from home
I used to constantly try figure out how I can attend less meetings. Were there ones I should no to that I wasn't? Any meetings that should be emails? Unnecessary to have me attend? Honestly, as I was thinking about that a lot, this strategy didn't work. And now in the remote world, it's nice to jump on a meeting and have some face time with other humans. (My dog is great, but she never talks back!) Now I accept I have a busy calendar, and my way to make that work for me is to take microbreaks. They refresh and revive me. Here are some of my go tos, feel free to use this list for inspiration and add your own:
Walking (around my office or up and down my lane with my dog)
Get a drink or a snack, and don't sit at your desk to eat/drink it
Sit outside to eat (fresh air is magic)
Stretch
Sit in silence for 2 minutes
Put on a favourite song and dance around (movement helps your mood)
Take 2 mins to breathe
A short meditation (InsightTimer is a great app)
Listen to one song (match it to your mood. Energising. Calming. Pump song)
Read 5 pages of a book
Stand up
Move spaces (change your environment)
Water my houseplants
Chat & cuddle with your pets
Have a quick chat with someone else (postman, housemate, neighbour)
Tip 3: Find your space
I know many of us have ended up at our kitchen tables (or a bedroom) as we quickly pivoted to remote working. Not ideal to be able to create any sort of separation between your work and your personal life, or even for your posture! Try look for a longer term solution, as it's more likely things will stay the way they are now, then go back to the way they were before.
Personally I moved our bedrooms around, and made our smaller room an office space. I love it, I genuinely get so much joy from being in that space now. Can you carve out a similar space in your home?
Then make the space your own. Decorate with beautiful things that make your smile. For me, that has been artwork, houseplants, books and fun accessories (a personalised mouse mat anyone!).
If you live in a smaller apartment, this may not be possible but a fold out desk that you can put away would allow you a better separation between work life and home life than your kitchen table. Get creative.
You may want to change spaces throughout the day. Sometimes if there are meetings that I am attending, rather than leading, I like to take them outside in my back garden. If I'm writing content, or doing planning, I like to sit more casually, so on the couch, or in a comfy armchair with my laptop in my lap. If you are really lucky, you could even take yourself to a local coffee shop to complete a task.
And find your space could even mean finding your headspace to get into and out of work. I've heard so many of my colleagues use smart tactics like listening to music, or walking to their local coffee shop in the morning as a way to signify their "morning commute" and so activate work mode. I often finish my days with exercise to do the same. Wind down activated!
Tip 4: Get dressed
It is very easy when you don't have meetings, or when you know people can only see your top half to get into the habit of slouchy loungewear or gym leggings as your go to clothes choices (speaking from a female perspective here). And no make up as the norm.
I definitely know that I have been wearing outfits at home that I would never wear to the office as they lean very far into the casual side! It's nice to get dressed up. It boosts your confidence (and even energy), and you have now done something impactful for yourself before your work day has even started. Even the simple act of putting on shoes will trigger your brain into work mode!
It's also nice at the end of the day to have that moment where you change out of your work clothes, into your loungewear, or exercise clothes, or something more comfy to go for a walk. It is a real tangible way to tell your brain "ok we are done here, activate personal mode".
Tip 5: Socialising is still important
Did you used to go into your office, head down, not say hello, put on your headphones, speak to no one all day, take lunch and all your coffee breaks on your own and leave without saying goodbye? Unlikely I imagine!
Yet so many people do that in this new remote work, as they never take time (or make it a priority) to engage with their co-workers. Even for the most introverted and solitude loving among this, that must be lonely.
Engage in the chances to socialize with your team! Social connection is a priority, just as much as your to do list (it's a power list item).
Here are some things I, my team & company do:
Regular team meetings (at least weekly)
A weekly virtual coffee shop (no work talk allowed)
Post more casual/fun content on the appropriate slack channels (#dogspotting is the cutest!) Set one up if one doesn't exist at your company
Reach out to new people every week to set up a virtual coffee (if you work for a larger company, reach wider than just your immediate team)
If your company uses Slack, Shuffl or Donut are great apps which randomly pair people together to have a coffee
Reach out to people about casual things, a fun meme, a cool song you heard, something you saw that made you think of them, not just work questions all the time
Everyday I think about if there is someone I can surprise with a note, gift or sign of appreciation
Having "watercooler" links where people can jump on together to finish a project, or have lunch together
Doing fun, interactive activities together e.g. quiz, whiteboarding, drawing etc
Make use of technology to help you socialise e.g. In zoom, polls and breakout rooms help to make a meeting more engaging
Virtual team events. Just because you are not physically together, you can still come together! I've been at quizzes, cheese tasting, and painting!
I hope you enjoyed these top 5 tips for working remotely. I'd love to hear your suggestions, feel free to comment below.
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