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Working remotely sounds amazing, doesn’t it? Not having to travel into work. Avoiding the crammed trains where every passenger is your best friend given your proximity. Nothing like a smelly armpit every morning or afternoon. But these are things you don’t have to worry about when you work remotely. You have the pleasure of waking up on the dot, ready to work in your pj’s. Now that’s amazing.

The truth is working remotely is a dream for some and a struggle for others. It’s not necessarily an easy transition. In fact, when you think about your surroundings, the difference between office and home environment can be quite blurred and leave people uncomfortable given it’s unusual and not part of their normal routine or environment. Working remotely can actually be more challenging than the usual office desk job, believe it or not.

If you’ve never experienced working remotely, chances are you have now given COVID19. There are some organizations that have flexible working programs in place, but those that did not were forced to change working conditions rather quickly which may have added some complications to your working remote experience. Here are some tips to help you work remotely.

Tip #1: Get comfortable so your performance is at your best

What does this mean? Some people will recommend not to work in your PJ’s but hey, if it works for you, then do it. That’s the beauty when it comes to working from home. You have the ability to set up your own environment and conditions that work in your favour. Try new things daily to see what works for you. Don’t be afraid of change.

Tip #2: Maintain Regular Working Hours

Working remotely gives you the ability to dictate your working hours… most of the time. It’s fantastic when you need to run errands and go to appointments but it’s important to get into a routine just as though you were in the office when it comes to your hours. Maintain the normal working hours you would normally have so you don’t find yourself getting out of any routines.

Tip #3: Take necessary breaks, and don’t cut them short!

Don’t cut yourself short during your lunch breaks or any breaks you have throughout the day. It’s important to separate yourself from work and ensure you are having a healthy work-life and focus on your own wellbeing.

Tip #4: Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need to work remotely

If your organization demands you to work remotely, especially during these difficult COVID19 times, it’s important to ask for what you need in order to work remotely and do your job effectively. Let’s be real, working from a small laptop screen is not ideal. Don’t be afraid to ask your company If you need another monitor, a printer or a chair and so forth. Most businesses will have a budget if they have flexible working arrangements but it never hurts to ask.

Tip #5: Avoid using social media

Working remotely can result in being easily distracted especially when you are surrounded by them. It’s easy to get distracted and lost in social media by constantly scrolling without realizing hours have passed by and you’ve completed no work. Try minimizing the use of social media to help avoid distractions so you can focus on getting your job done.

Tip #6: Interact with other people.

Just because you’re at home, doesn’t mean you need to be alone and not interact or communicate with people. And we’re not necessarily talking about colleagues. While current times with COVID19 may prevent visitors or non-essential interactions, use technology to your advantage. Jump on a video call and keep connected with those around you.

Tip #7: Communicate with colleagues

When you’re working remotely, you don’t have the same atmosphere as to when you’re in the office so socializing with colleagues is not the same. Amongst your working schedule, find time to go out of your way to send your colleagues a message via your communication tools. It doesn’t always have to be work-related either.

Tip #8: Keep your calendar up to date

Being out of the office means a simple conversation may not necessarily be that simple. It’s important to keep your calendar up to date so people know where you are and if you’re busy or not to either chat or schedule a meeting. Be sure to let people know your busy even if you’ve just walked away from your desk.

Tip #9: Invest in a good pair of headphones

Let’s be real, when we’re working remotely, we’re generally listening to music and bopping around like no one is watching, even if someone is. Music can help us get in our grove and be most productive. Having a good pair of headphones allows you to do this without impacting others around you. We also recommend discovering a playlist suited to the tasks at hand – it helps.

Tip #10: Have fun!

Working remotely is a difficult transition especially when it’s been rushed due to the current circumstances. Don’t add additional pressure on yourself due to the change in scenery and routine. It will take time to adjust if it’s more of a permanent situation but it’s important to have fun. Make light of the situation. Take advantage of video calls with colleagues and have a good laugh. You know the saying “You never know what you have until you’ve lost it”. This could well and truly apply to work remotely.

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Working remotely for some is quite difficult, where for others it’s second nature. It’s completely normal to feel out of place if you’ve never worked from home, let alone during the COVID-19 circumstances but it’s ok! You’re not alone so it’s important to take each day as it comes. You may not feel comfortable right away, but everything will come together after you experiment and find what works for you. Working remotely has it’s pros and it’s cons just like anything else but during these difficult times, it’s important to make the most of it. Try to see the positive and use them to your advantage. It may even give you a different perspective on working and what you want from your job.