How to stay productive when working remotely
Remote work is increasing in popularity - from full-blown remote jobs to those that offer the odd days here and here of working from home flexibility, workers demand this perk more and more.
If you're just starting to work remotely, whether it's for a few days or every day, it's hard to stay focused, especially at first. It's also hard to create boundaries between your "work life" and your "home life"
When I first started working remotely, I found it hard to focus on my tasks and always found other things to do - like doing the laundry, unloading the dishwasher, cleaning the bathtub. And then I realised I had to finish my tasks and ended up working until midnight. But as time went by, I learned how to be at peak productivity.
10 Tips for working remotely
Set up a workspace
Make to do lists each morning
Remember to sign out
Change your working environment once in a while
Use productivity tools
Make sure everyone knows you’re at work
Interact with people
Don't forget to take a break
Have a morning routine
Go outside
1. Set up a designated work space
If you don't work from home too much, you probably shouldn't invest in a desk unless it's easily in your budget. So any table can do the work - as long as you make sure to clear it out so you won't have any distractions and make sure you're sitting comfortably - whether it's at the kitchen table or on a pillow next to the coffee table. Try to use decorations or items that you'd only use while working - calendars, post it notes, planners, pens - just so you can quickly get into the work mindset. As tempting as it sounds, do not work from your bed - it will make you sleepier quicker and will also lead to a bad back.
2. Make to do lists each morning
Think of what you want to realistically accomplish for the day and try to stick to it. Unexpected things may happen, but you should set daily goals for yourself. This way, you can make sure you're not lagging behind in your work, especially if you've just started working from home and having all this freedom. It will be tempting to do literally anything else, including the laundry.
3. Remember to sign out
In order to create boundaries, you need to logout every evening. This is for two reasons: one, you can separate your work and home life, and stop thinking about work as soon as you logout. Two, you won't get your co-workers and managers used to being able to contact you at odd hours of the day. Once you do that, you'll never be able to change their perception.
4. Change your working environment once in a while
Working from a coffee shop or co-working space can help with productivity - you won't have all the distractions you might have at home. It's not a sustainable endeavour, as coffees and croissants and avocado toast can get expensive quickly, but doing this once in a while won't hurt. You could also check your area for libraries and find out if they have rooms with wi-fi where you could stay the whole day.
5. Use productivity tools
Apps, software and physical things can help you be more focused and organised. Try using a calendar to book out time slots for focusing - Google Calendar is amazing and free. TickTick is another personal favourite - it’s a To-do app that also features a calendar and you can sync it with your own calendar. Some people like using the Pomodoro technique - focusing for 20 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break, and then restarting this process. There are apps for this, and TickTick has this feature embedded in it. My absolute favourite app is Notion, which is the app I’m currently writing this blog in. You can set different views (to do, kanban, etc) and add tags and deadlines and files and so much more! Check out Notion here.
6. Make sure everyone knows you’re at work
I’m talking about the people in your life. When I work from home, my mum used to call me almost every half hour - now she’s calling less, but still way more than if I were at an actual office. If you live with someone and they’re at home for whatever reason and they’re not working remotely, make sure you establish boundaries.
7. Interact with people
Make sure to check in with your colleagues and ask that dreaded "How was your weekend" question! Working from home will make you feel more lonely and by talking to your colleagues - typing on Slack/Skype counts! - you’ll solve two issues: loneliness and making sure your colleagues know of you and don’t forget to include you in the next meeting! Working from home also means you’ll probably go out less - so try to join a group or make plans with friends. I’m in the Women in Tech SEO group and I go to the meetups once a month!
8. Don't forget to take a break
When you’re in the office, you’re tempted to take more breaks than at home - going out for lunch, chatting with someone on the stairs, joining the smokers for a fag or fresh air, petting the dog - the list is endless. At home, try to go out for a walk at lunch or don’t eat in front of the computer, even if it’s for 20 minutes instead of an hour. Try to disconnect or you’ll soon feel the burnout.
9. Have a morning routine
It's tempting to get up and start work immediately while in your PJs, but having a morning routine will help you separate your personal life from your professional one. Getting dressed in the morning has never worked for me, as it made me uncomfortable and I also felt that it was a waste of clean clothes. You can start your day by making coffee, washing your face and your teeth, and having breakfast.
10. Go outside
Go outside once in a while - at lunch, after work to the shops, or before work for a quick refreshing stroll. It's easy to not go out for days when you work from home, and even though you might love sitting at home quietly, it will get to you. Go outside, breathe in some fresh air, soak up the sun.