Whether you’re away at a conference, on a business trip, or taking care of business at home, we know that there are times when our work leaves our workplace. When out of the office, though, it can become easy to get distracted, lose productivity, and not work as efficiently as we normally might. To help keep us all on track, here are our Top 5 Tips to making your “remote work” work for you!
1.) How You Work Makes All the Difference
No, we don’t mean in your office or away from your office; we mean how you physically sit/stand to perform your work! A comfortable position with ergonomic furniture is the best way to improving your performance, no matter the location. It might be easier to sit down in that comfortable lounge chair in the hotel lobby, couch in your living room, or seat at the table in a nearby coffee shop, but if you’re working for any serious duration of time, you’ll want furniture that supports you and keeps your body and mind in top-shape, hour after hour. We know that ergonomic furniture reduces strain on the body, increasing blood flow and reducing fatigue, keeping you focused on the task at hand. Finding a place that allows for this with the right kind of furniture is one of the best things you can do for your holistic wellness and focus!
2.) Keep Routine Habits the Same
Breaks, lunch time, working regular hours, etc. – if you would ordinarily do it, keep it up! Professionals agree: working consistently regular hours, no matter the space, tremendously increases productivity and helps you maintain focus. Taking regular breaks, including a lunch break, will help you maintain a productive, “working” mindset, aided by having an ergonomic area to work that helps you maintain that productivity. Even something as simple as choosing more professional attire over casual wear will help get you into the working mood (and keep you there).
3.) Technology is key
Today, we have countless tools at our disposal that make working remotely easier than ever! From communication apps that keep your team connected to project management software, you’re able to collaborate in real-time from almost any location. Utilize this technology to maintain a high level of efficiency wherever you’re working from; check with your IT department before working remotely to make sure you’ll be able to access the tools you need to stay connected.
4.) Choose a Flexible Environment
We know that people want to get up and move around, not be tied to a desk all day – it’s one of the reasons Sit-to-Stand desks are becoming more prevalent in today’s workspaces! The next best thing is to give yourself a good environment that allows you to still get up and move around occasionally, not forcing you in a seated and/or standing work position for long periods of time. When working remotely, identify multiple different types of work environments (standing options, seated options, indoors/outdoors, etc.) that will help give you the choice you need throughout the day to maintain focus and productivity. Additionally, try to reduce outside distractions as much as possible; children/family members, busy streets, personal cell phone usage and public conversations, etc. can all diminish your focus and efficiency, no matter how flexible the space. Taking the time to find a space that allows you to be as productive as possible will pay dividends on your work in no time!
5.) Stay Connected
Perhaps most importantly, communicate regularly with your team. If you feel like you’re over-communicating, you’re probably doing just the right amount! Without face-to-face interactions, it’s important to ensure your team is on the same page with projects and workload, which may feel like more email/online messaging than you’re accustomed to. If you don’t have daily/weekly phone calls, consider a phone call or video conference call to keep your team visually together; this will both humanize remote work and keep your team connected in a way that emails can’t quite capture. Collective to-do lists can help your team hold each other accountable, providing a place to input real-time status updates and notes on projects, keeping everyone in the loop.
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