The idea of Remote Work has been around for many years. Thanks to the available technology, such as computers, smartphones, and the internet, you can take care of your job without leaving home.
However, the work culture in many countries revolves around face-to-face communication between employees and customers and between employees themselves.
The situation has changed during the pandemic as many people were forced to work remotely, and that made employers rethink their approach. It is also worth noting that workers themselves have discovered how convenient it is to not worry about commuting, for instance.
Having said all that, remote work is not necessarily a concept that makes everyone comfortable. There are plenty of individuals who struggle without proper supervision, lack of contact with others, and so on.
For some, it is still too early to tell when things will go back to normal and when returning to an office becomes a reality. Before that happens, you will still need to carry out your tasks.
Things to Make Remote Work
Below, you will find 5 tips that can make remote work more manageable. Thus, if you are struggling, use the information in this article.
1. Ask for Regular Feedback From Supervisors
No feedback from supervisors in person can be quite detrimental to one’s overall performance and efficiency. Finding motivation is not easy when you do not get positive words from others. You are also more prone to errors that can snowball out of control without proper supervision.
Working from home can be difficult for many, but you should still talk to supervisors even if they have less time for you. Make sure that you communicate with those above you and ask them for genuine feedback and even training opportunities if possible.
Also Read: Guide to managing your Remote WordPress Team
2. Overcommunicate With Colleagues
Similar to how you need to communicate with supervisors, you should also make sure to stay in touch with your other coworkers.
Talking in person is not the same as exchanging emails or messages on Slack, for example. At the same time, since you cannot meet face-to-face, you need to make the most out of the means available to you.
Lack of communication could lead to errors. Imagine you sending an email to a colleague and them not reading it or not paying enough attention to the message. It is different when you come to their desk and explain a problem in person.
Sending follow-ups, making sure that they receive the message, and that things are clear should take priority. You will have to spend more time on communicating this way, but it makes things better for both you and others involved in the work.
3. Make Sure Your Computer Is Optimized
A poorly optimized computer is one of the worst things that could happen to you as a remote worker. When you are in the office, you usually have a dedicated IT guy who takes care of maintenance.
It is different when you are at home. You will need to solve the problem yourself or look for outside help, and who knows how long it will take to fix the issue.
You want to take care of your device properly and avoid potential hardware problems. In some cases, you may run into problems that are more or less impossible to solve on your own. For example, if a laptop’s charger is broken, you will have to buy a new one.
4. Stick to a Schedule
Since you do not have to worry about commuting, it is likely that there is extra time that appears in your day.
As such, you might end up with a schedule that is a bit scuffed. Establishing a proper routine, which includes waking up early and not doing your work too late into the night, becomes a difficult task to accomplish for some. This goes back to no supervision in person.
Treat the change in your schedule as an opportunity to make more out of the time you have. Sleep a bit more than usual or wake up early to take care of some house chores before you get to work. Start working out and get in shape.
The bottom line is that having more time on your hands should be treated as a valuable means to reward yourself or find other ways to make use of it.
Also Read: Understanding Remote Usability Testing and Why It Is Beneficial
5. Eliminate Distractions- Remote Work
Potential distractions are disruptive to your workflow. Identify what is distracting you and try to eliminate these obstacles.
For example, you might have noisy neighbors who are not aware of the fact that you are working from home. Talk to them and explain that they should keep the noise to a minimum.
You might also find yourself looking at your smartphone or getting distracted by various internet pages, such as social media or YouTube.
Also Read: Redefine The Digital Workplace In Times Of Crisis
The Bottom Lines of Remote Work
Taking a short break from work is okay, but do not waste time on irrelevant things when you should be doing your work. If necessary, block these websites and enable them again after you finish the work.
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