4 Productivity Tips for Remote Workers

Remote working jobs are on the rise. Now, many employees can work from home as they please, or even live in a different city than their employers. This ability provides modern workers with the flexibility and work-life balance they’re often craving in our contemporary technology-driven reality. 

Along with the benefits of remote work comes an array of challenges for both employers and employees. Employers have to figure out how to efficiently manage and treat their remote workers, while remote workers have to figure out how to work effectively and autonomously. 

Luckily, there are plenty of tools and resources available that make remote jobs easier to navigate than ever before. Consider these four tips when you begin your research on how to become a successful remote employee.

1. Get Set Up 

One key to being the best remote worker you can be is making sure you have sufficient space to work in. More specifically, you should designate a physical workspace in your house where only work occurs to properly switch your brain into work mode. If you don’t have enough free space in your home to have a full office, designate one desk or chair to help with productivity. Consider ergonomics when setting up your workspace; choose your chair wisely, prop up your laptop to the appropriate height, and make sure there’s room for your feet to lay flat on the ground. Making these physical changes at the start of your day helps your brain transition from personal time to work time, making you a more focused worker.

2. Designate Hours

While remote work often allows you to set your own hours, a lack of structure can be detrimental to your workflow. Rather than flying by the seat of your pants on any given day, dictate what hours you plan to work at the start of the week and stick to them. Utilize a digital calendar tool to let coworkers know what your working hours are, so they can know when it’s appropriate to ask you questions, or when you should be left alone. Schedule your hours around appointments, lunch, and other activities just as you would at an office job, but be sure to pencil those into your calendar as well, for full transparency.

3. Take Breaks

Try your best to mimic from home the same habits you would as if you were working in a physical office, such as taking a moment to chat with coworkers or grabbing a cup of coffee at your local cafe. Neglecting to step away from your desk can lead to feeling isolated and ultimately burning out. Get creative with your breaks and run out for lunch with a friend or take a walk around the block to get some fresh air. Essentially, anything you can do to give your brain and body a break will be beneficial to your overall experience and productivity while working virtually.

4. Use Reliable Tools

Because of the great distance between coworkers and clients, virtual employees rely on the right tools to productively communicate throughout the day. Having poor call-quality on client calls can be detrimental to those relationships, so utilizing a reliable phone system is crucial. Luckily, VoIP phone services alleviate this issue by allowing you to make crystal clear calls through your Internet connection. On top of having reliable phone lines, you’ll need reliable chat channels and video conferencing tools to communicate with coworkers and managers as well. After all, constant communication is crucial for both team and individual success, and facilitating that from afar can be made much easier with the use of these tools.

A Final Note

Remote work is a workplace trend that will undoubtedly continue to grow as the tools and technologies companies use for communication improve. When done the right way, a remote job can provide both workers and their companies with a healthy balance of freedom, flexibility, and production. Using the tips above can serve as a guide for how to make remote work as effective as possible.

Anna is a business content specialist who focuses on the ever-evolving communication landscape—consisting of tools, solutions, and technology—that make remote work possible.