Remote Control: Mastering the Art of Working Remotely
By Pamela Schutz, RPN, E-Learning Consultant
If you are anything like me, you have romanticized working from home. Imagining a breezy morning trip to the kitchen in pjs to enjoy your first brew of the day while your work PC slowly boots up and comes to life. The flexibility and autonomy of creating your own schedule, while dodging office chit chat that eats away into day to day productivity. And how about all those cost savings on transportation, lunches and work wear. Ah, the dream.
And while working from home definitely has its perks, there are the lesser discussed nuances that can be troublesome. Such as the social isolation due to decreased connections with co-workers. Or communication barriers that sometimes lead to errors or misunderstandings. Not to mention boundaries that can be blurred when it becomes difficult to separate work and personal life.
With that being said, is it all worth it? I say absolutely yes! Just ensure you are mastering a few tricks, and I’ll show you how.
It's Not Always Easy Working Remote
Working remotely can certainly be the ideal work situation for some. Who wouldn't appreciate more time with friends and family and less jostling for bathroom space in the morning. And if you are an introvert like me, the decreased distractions, and blessed quiet from less bodies around, are definitely a bonus. But it can sometimes be a challenge to stay on task when you work where you live.
Let's be honest, remote workers can be expected to combine a full day of video calls and appointments alongside a list of tasks that need to be completed, all while ensuring the right tone when managing social media platforms, emails and other chats necessary for the work.
And attempting to overlook stuff that needs to get done at home, such as dishes, laundry and dinner prep can be a challenge. And just when you’ve officially powered down from a busy day, someone walks through the door and has the nerve to ask “what’s for dinner?” assuming you’ve had nothing better to do all day. This is why clear boundaries need to be set.
5 Effective Habits That You Can Incorporate Now
Over the years I have learned the importance of setting work/life boundaries. These habits didn't happen overnight, but I have managed to carve out some tactics that have allowed me to continue to work from home in a way that is both rewarding and productive.
I have compiled a list of 5 remote work habits that you can incorporate into your daily schedule to set you up now to successfully work from home…your way.
1. Create a work schedule
You know the old saying “failing to plan is planning to fail”? It's so true! Make a list the night before on what tasks, meetings and appointments you want/need to complete the next day. Organize your time around this and make the intention to get them done. Taking 5 or 10 minutes of focused intention the night before a busy work day will do wonders for your peace of mind and set you up for the day ahead so you can be as effective as possible.
2. Make use of a variety of resources to stay motivated and engaged
While you may not have colleagues constantly darkening your office door, they sometimes have the benefit of keeping us looking and acting more productive and efficient while we are in the office. While we all intend to be ethical employees who are not prone to distractions, it is far more difficult to stay on task due to the “home life” distractions that often surround us, leading to procrastination. Unless you are required to have your phone nearby to engage in work chats and messages, place it out of sight or in a drawer so you will not be tempted to pick it up and scroll through social media and other time wasting habits. Set a timer to ensure you are working at your highest peak of productivity. Set a timer for 45 minutes and blast through a bunch of tasks and assignments. When the timer goes off, reward yourself by getting up to stretch, grab some water and step outside in the sun if you can. This will limit the isolation and “cabin fever” that can sometimes plague us who work from home.
3. Keep your workspace tidy and organized.
This may seem obvious, but I encourage you to make your home office space somewhere you actually want to sit down and work at! If your desk consists of a cluttered pile of tax receipts, bills, kids toys and is parked right next to a kitty litter that hasn't been changed in a while…you are setting yourself up to fail. Make sure your space is clutter free and clean. If possible, have it near a window or keep a plant nearby to give it an outdoor vibe. There are always things you can do to make it nicer!
4. Take regular breaks
Your brain is designed to work most efficiently when it has time to rest and digest. As mentioned, set a timer for 30 or 45 mins and when it goes off, remove yourself from the area and get up and walk around. Go outside if you can for a few minutes and just stretch and get some water. Research has proven that there are health benefits of getting outdoors, such as decreased anxiety and improved sleep.
5. Eat a well balanced diet.
Get some exercise (daily if you can), drink lots of water and get adequate sleep. Avoid sugary, processed food that will lead to a crash later on. Give yourself the best shot at work at home success! These habits may seem hard at first, but like any habit they become easier the more you do them and see the results.
Avoid the Pitfalls That Affect You Being Effective
It might be all well and good to intend these good habits, but not so easy to implement. Life can get in the way and take over. Poor time management, lack of a structured schedule, personal commitments, and other distractions (phones, Netflix, Instagram) all get in the way of these strategies. Don’t fall into this! Think of forming good remote work habits and routines as an important step toward career success.
You and your success are important and need to be treated that way. Ensure you have created a space that is conducive to working, is quiet, calm and you won’t be disturbed. Place a “do not disturb sign” outside your door if you have to. Each interrupted moment is another set back to getting important tasks done. Remember, you worked hard and earned the luxury of working from home. Few of us get this chance, so make it work for you!
Pamela Schutz, RPN, E-Learning Consultant
Pamela is a registered psychiatric nurse with over 23 years of experience specializing in trauma informed care, substance use and harm reduction strategies. Pamela prioritizes work with Indigenous Nations and underserved communities to create culturally respectful approaches to care. Additionally, Pamela strives to simplify complex medical knowledge through articles, social media and various publications in an engaging and informed way.