Many of us have found ourselves in a remote work environment adjusting to a new daily routine. The stress of an already stressful time has grown because of all the changes to working life – little to no physical space between “work” and “home”, virtual communication becoming the primary method of contact, eliminated commutes, and so many more new things to get used to. The comradery of office life is missing – it’s not easy to feel connected to your co-workers when you are all in separate places. The transition has been a difficult one – we’re all trying to find the best ways to be successful, motivated, and positive in the midst of a complete upheaval to many aspects of life. While we don’t have all the answers, here are some tips for making the most out of your remote work experience:
Equip Yourself for Success
Making sure you have the equipment and applications you need and that they are functioning properly is a good place to start each day. Productivity can be slowed without the right tools – check in with members of your team when issues arise. Keep your team on the same page with actionable goals and tasks so initiatives can keep moving forward, and be sure priorities and expectations are clear. Shared spreadsheets or task trackers like those offered through Microsoft Teams are great solutions to stay up-to-date on team to-do’s and accomplishments.
Making sure you have the equipment and applications you need and that they are functioning properly is a good place to start each day. Productivity can be slowed without the right tools – check in with members of your team when issues arise. Keep your team on the same page with actionable goals and tasks so initiatives can keep moving forward, and be sure priorities and expectations are clear. Shared spreadsheets or task trackers like those offered through Microsoft Teams are great solutions to stay up-to-date on team to-do’s and accomplishments.
Maximize Productivity
Choosing a dedicated workspace can help minimize distractions, and help you train yourself to focus on work when you are in that specific space. Organize your schedule each day and as best you can try to mirror a normal workday. It may be helpful to block off time in your calendar to work on a particular project – this can also serve as a reminder for future and recurring tasks.
Choosing a dedicated workspace can help minimize distractions, and help you train yourself to focus on work when you are in that specific space. Organize your schedule each day and as best you can try to mirror a normal workday. It may be helpful to block off time in your calendar to work on a particular project – this can also serve as a reminder for future and recurring tasks.
Communicate Often
Communication is key! Encourage your co-workers to come together and collaborate as you would in the workplace. Problems are often solved better with teamwork – talking out your thoughts and ideas with others can lead to greater solutions. It’s also important to check in with your co-workers to see how they are doing personally – take the time to meet up at the virtual water cooler!
Communication is key! Encourage your co-workers to come together and collaborate as you would in the workplace. Problems are often solved better with teamwork – talking out your thoughts and ideas with others can lead to greater solutions. It’s also important to check in with your co-workers to see how they are doing personally – take the time to meet up at the virtual water cooler!
Embrace Online Meetings
Virtual meetings can be a challenge. Visual cues are less prevalent or eliminated altogether, so as a presenter it can be tough to know if your co-workers understand your message. This also impacts participants – some people may struggle with speaking up, especially on a large call. Work on becoming an active participant and presenter – make sure everyone’s voices are heard. And be sure to clean up your desktop and browser tabs before sharing your screen!
Virtual meetings can be a challenge. Visual cues are less prevalent or eliminated altogether, so as a presenter it can be tough to know if your co-workers understand your message. This also impacts participants – some people may struggle with speaking up, especially on a large call. Work on becoming an active participant and presenter – make sure everyone’s voices are heard. And be sure to clean up your desktop and browser tabs before sharing your screen!
Maintain Healthy Boundaries
Without physical separation between the office and home, it may be difficult to create boundaries for your personal well-being. Throughout the day, take time to get up, stretch, and walk around. Remember to take breaks to eat and hydrate, and allow yourself to unplug at the end of the day! Giving yourself breaks and time to relax will help improve productivity during working hours, and help you stay sane.
Without physical separation between the office and home, it may be difficult to create boundaries for your personal well-being. Throughout the day, take time to get up, stretch, and walk around. Remember to take breaks to eat and hydrate, and allow yourself to unplug at the end of the day! Giving yourself breaks and time to relax will help improve productivity during working hours, and help you stay sane.
Stay Positive
During these challenging times, keeping your head up can be hard day-to-day. Try to find ways to look forward to something each day – maybe it’s your favorite breakfast, or going for a walk outside, or planning a phone call with friends. Take this time to adapt to the changes and take challenges head on, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help! We are all working through this time together, let’s be there to support each other.
During these challenging times, keeping your head up can be hard day-to-day. Try to find ways to look forward to something each day – maybe it’s your favorite breakfast, or going for a walk outside, or planning a phone call with friends. Take this time to adapt to the changes and take challenges head on, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help! We are all working through this time together, let’s be there to support each other.
