Gone are the days when getting a 9-5 at a corporate office meant you had reached the pinnacle of success. Now the dream is to work from anywhere, choose your hours, and create a better work/life balance as an employee. Working remotely offers all of these benefits and more! But there are some challenges you’ll face as a remote worker, namely staying motivated and productive while working remotely, so today I want to share some tips that help me work more efficiently.
When COVID-19 forced companies to shut their doors, remote work became a must. Collectively, we learned the benefits of working off-site: no soul-crushing commute, no managers or co-workers hanging over your shoulder, and my personal favorite: more time spent at home. Remote workers realized how freeing professional life can really be, a feeling typically enjoyed by the more entrepreneurial roles, such as Freelancers, bloggers, and stay-at-home mums running e-commerce stores.
As someone who has worked 100% off-site for the past 6 years, I have learned that working remotely comes with its own challenges. Feeling isolated, poor time management, and the lack of a routine may lead to the inability to stay motivated, amongst other things. In fact, I recently came across a Stanford paper that found working remotely typically results in 10-20% decrease in productivity!
Everyone who has chosen to work In this manner has to figure out to develop a routine of when and where to work, how to create boundaries between professional and personal life, maintain work relationships, and deal with isolation.
The great news is that these challenges have solutions. Here are some ways to combat some of the problems you’ll face while working remotely so you can be productive and motivated, whether you’re new to remote work or just need a refresher on how to do it better.
Dedicated workspace
Remote working is about working anywhere outside the workplace – whether that’s home, a coffee shop, a co-working space, a library, a park, a beach or even another country. Let’s say for all intents and purposes that you have chosen to work remotely from home. One common problem with working from home is the blurring of boundaries between work and home life.
This study by Aczel and Co. found that it’s incredibly important to have a dedicated workspace when establishing these boundaries; a space that is for work and work only. This space, ideally, would be a full-sized desk with an ergonomic chair, an external monitor (not a laptop), with an external mouse and keyboard. It would also preferably be in a spare room, undisturbed, and not a space where you sleep or eat. Additionally, look for areas in the home that offer natural light to help you feel energized.
Routine
Having a routine is essential for remote workers: our minds need to know when work is, not just where. That’s why you’ll need to create a daily schedule that specifies when to wake up, start work, take breaks, and when to stop working. This helps you establish a healthy work-life balance. Also having regular work hours can keep your day structured, because otherwise, remote workers can lose track of time spent working and may, actually, overwork!
Can’t seem to get into the grove? Steal this trick! I often find that switching into more professional clothing even while at home helps me shift into a more productive state of mind. It’s been known that clothes influence our mood and emotions, so wear something that makes you feel motivated, professional, and confident. Getting dressed for work will also help you mark the distinction between work and home life, helping you switch off when the working day is over.
Mindfulness
Even after waking up at the same time and heading over to the bedroom – sorry, office – you may sometimes still find yourself struggling to focus in order to get in the right state of mind to work. I often find that being more mindful can help me stay motivated and focused through the work day. Mindfullness is a huge buzzword nowadays and how you achieve it may differ from person to person.
Mindfulness, which involves being in the present moment, can be practiced through deep breathing and guided meditation. However, many people feel the need for a greater level of support and guidance, which is where mindfulness therapy can come in handy. Both free and paid mindfulness treatments online are proven to help.
Communication & socializing
Perhaps remote work jobs should come with a Warning: you might become a hermit label! The “loneliness of the long-distance worker” is an aspect of remote work that is among the least discussed.
Not having face-to-face interaction with colleagues can lead to a felling of isolation, which, in turn, can affect engagement and productivity. Fortunately, this is one of the easiest solutions to the downsides of remote work. If you need the bustle of being around other people, coffee shops make excellent workspaces. Other great options include your local library, or even a co-working space may help to break up the monotony of being at home. Coworking spaces offer a work-friendly atmosphere and the perks you’d expect from an office such as conference rooms, refreshments, and even entrepreneur meetups.
If you’re more introverted, and you’d like the bustle without the people, there are websites that offer coffee shop ambiance right in your browser.
We’re social creatures, yet most Americans have fewer than five friends, so make it a habit to stay connected Online. Discord is a great way to connect with others, there are plenty of servers where you can find others to commune with, to ask a question to, or share some lighthearted banter. LinkedIn groups are surprisingly good at this, so be sure to join groups that are relevant to your role and industry and get involved in the discussion.
Working too much
Did you know that remote workers are more likely to overwork? When your personal life and your work are both under the same roof, it’s harder to switch off. Be patient with yourself as you transition to working from home. Instead of focusing on how much you accomplish each day, ask yourself how you contributed. Not everything of value ends up on a to-do list.
With no prompts to take lunch and coffee breaks, remote workers can find whole days passing in front of a screen. It sounds counterintuitive, but taking breaks is energizing, especially if you can get outside, so make sure to schedule a walk around the block at least once a day. If it’s not possible to go out, get some activity going indoors. Walk up and down stairs, exercise to a fitness video, or do a few stretches to get rid of tension. Or, as Dan Brown is known for, schedule a specified number of pushups every hour on the hour!
Exercise
Exercise is proven to improve productivity and motivation, by elevating our mood, & easing feelings of anxiety. Even a simple walk around the block can do wonders for your health both physically and mentally. So leave your home, get some air and natural light, and move your body. Ideally, step outside for at least a short while before, during, and after your working hours.
You can set reminders for yourself in your calendar or to-do app to eat a salad or do some yoga. Alternatively, you could invest in a walking pad, so you can get in some exercise while catching up on Slack, or at-home stationary bike like a Peloton, so you can squeeze in a cardio workout between calls.
Sunlight
Without a commute, lunch outings, and business meetings, you may not have too many reasons to leave the house. Which means you’re not getting enough sunlight. Getting exposure to sunlight in the morning can help you sleep at night because it helps reset your body’s inner “sleep clock.” Light is an important cue for your body’s sleep cycle and for regulating hormones. Absorbing enough sunlight throughout the day helps elevate mood, energy levels, and even helps up process vitamin D better.
Using technology the right way
It’s important to reflect on the way we use technology. We should use available tools to train and sharpen our skills when possible because Online learning has tremendous benefits for career development. It’s important to understand what technology is out there that will help us better connect with our colleagues, streamline our workflow, and collaborate on work (i.e. screen sharing).
Having the right technology is essential for improving your productivity while working remotely. Make sure your computer and WiFi connection both have the bandwidth necessary for your job. Consider using two monitors, noise-canceling headphones, a wireless keyboard, and a mouse. Whether it’s a second monitor or an ergonomic keyboard, having the right equipment can make remote working a far more comfortable experience.
Final thoughts
Well, I hope this post helped you improve motivation when working from home. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the unique challenges of remote work, cut yourself some slack. Take it one day at a time and use the tips in this guide, you’ll slowly transform your work-from-home job into a wonderful experience. What are some of your favorite work-from-home tips? Let me know in the comments!
