The decline of the pandemic has once again triggered the remote vs. on-site debate with employees not wanting to give up the comfort of working from home but leadership teams looking to get employees back into the workspace.
A wise man once said, “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility” (courtesy: Spiderman). The remote working model is built on trust, communication and transparency. While remote working has significant benefits for both employees and employers, it is their shared responsibility to make it successful. In that spirit, we have put together a list of tips to help employees improve efficiency and productivity while balancing personal life. After all it’s an office in one’s home!
1. Give your workstation a professional feel
Concentration is the key to effective results. A dedicated workstation will allow you to focus on your work by creating an office-like environment. If not a room for yourself, try to at least find a quiet corner which is free of distractions. Declutter your work area and keep it hygienic. Invest in a strong internet connection, good desk and ergonomic chair. You can also accessorize your work station. Coffee mugs, water bottle, notepads, sticky notes, trendy mousepads, shelves for paperwork etc. are great to create an ‘office-like’ environment.
2. Set ground rules and boundaries
While it's an office in our home, it would be unfair to restrict other people’s comfort. At the same time, we cannot compromise on our work productivity and success. It can be challenging to balance these two aspects well while working remotely. It is important to set clear expectations with your family and people around you while working. Inform them prior about your work schedule, meetings etc. so you are not disturbed.
3. Dress up and look presentable
While you enjoy the comfort of your home, dressing up and looking presentable for your work shift will make you feel energized and fresh. Maintain a healthy balance between comfort and style. Wear decent comfortable clothes, keep your hair tidy, use your favorite perfume etc.
4. Set a routine to enhance your wellbeing
Wellness is the complete amalgamation of body, mind, and spirit. It heightens focus, improves self-awareness, and reduces stress levels. This in turn will help you to love your work and thus be more productive and efficient. Here are a few
- Wake up at well before your working hours
- Freshen up and dress up to feel good
- Exercise and meditate regularly – even those quick stretches between the shift hours helps the body and mind to rejuvenate.
- Sleep on time. Get at least 8 hours of proper sleep.
- Take your breaks on time and divert your mind off work for a bit, to help yourself recharge.
- Take a quick stroll during your lunch break to get some fresh air.
- Keep sipping on water throughout the day
- Try to stay away from anything / anyone negative or stressful.
5. TIME Management
It is easy to get distracted when you are working from home. Set alarms and notifications to remind you of important tasks, meetings, reports etc. Start your shift on time. You should be reachable whenever your team or clients need your service. Notify your break timings to your manager and team. At times, if you need some extra time out, keep your supervisor informed. Preparing a to-do list would help efficiently track your progress. As you complete one goal after another, tick them off the list, reflecting that you are making progress. This keeps you focussed, thereby improving your knowledge and making the tasks seem doable.
6. COMMUNICATE. COMMUNICATE. COMMUNICATE
Communicating actively and adequately is probably the most important aspect of working remotely. Communication is important not only with co-workers but also with managers. Telecommuting can make communication tough, and it can also be difficult to tell if you're communicating enough.
- Build Professional Relationships
In remote jobs, one has to be proactive about fostering professional relationships. Schedule regular touch-points or follow up meetings with your manager to review your progress. You can also highlight your work by sending regular email or chat updates and by maintaining progress reports, trackers etc. Ask for feedback and suggestions once a while to introspect your performance. It may seem like over communicating, but this is crucial in remote working.
Remote working can get lonely and boring at times. make an effort to remain connected with your team through group chats, video calls etc. Casual conversation and some team fun is okay if it helps to minimize the social isolation that comes with working from home.
- Participate in virtual meetings
Participate actively in management, team or client meets. Come prepared with ideas and speak clearly. Even if you are a silent observer in the meet, when asked for, opt to share your views, best practices and ideas.
- Seek support
Asking for help when you need it is extremely important for keeping you productive and on track. If you are stuck or feel frustrated, seek support. Reach out to your teammates and let them know what you're going through. Similarly, if you feel like you're overwhelmed with your workload, talk to your supervisor to help you prioritize.
We hope the above tips will help you make the best of your remote working arrangement. For more information on remote working opportunities available with us, please visit https://shjintl.com or drop us a line at info@shjintl.com.
