Freelancers, consultants, and contractors understand the benefits and challenges that go with working from home. However, if you’re new to remote work, you can feel like a fish out of water. If you’ve found yourself pounding away at your keyboard on the kitchen table amidst shouting kids and laundry, there is a good chance that your remote situation could use some tweaking.
How do I establish a productive routine?
It is not always easy to make remote work fit your lifestyle. Fortunately, it is possible, and it starts with how you set yourself up for success. To begin, you need to determine the hours that work best for you. If you’re an early bird, try to get the bulk of your work done during the morning hours. However, if you’re a night owl who thrives after-hours, then adjust your schedule accordingly. Of course, it’s important that your hours work well alongside your client or employer; otherwise, you may run into some logistical problems. Additionally, you need to make sure your schedule also works with your lifestyle as well as your family’s. Just as important as your schedule is your workspace. If you don’t have a dedicated area, you may encounter some productivity problems, which you want to avoid at all costs.
Is there a way to stay better connected with my coworkers?
The question of how to improve remote work collaboration is as old as the ability to work from home. After all, when you can’t speak to your coworkers in person about a potential problem, it can oftentimes cause a hiccup in productivity and creativity. The good news is that technology has made even this challenge a breeze. That said, just because tech provides a solution doesn’t mean it can solve everything, especially if you don’t have rules or guidelines in place.
If your team relies heavily on collaboration/communication software such as Slack or Skype, for example, you may find yourself overwhelmed with messages on a regular basis. If possible, try to create channels/groups based on projects; that way, people who aren’t involved with those specific tasks won’t get bombarded with questions and comments that have nothing to do with their specific job. It may also help to have a channel/group that provides company-wide updates that keep everyone in the loop without having to send individual messages or emails.
What can I do to improve my focus and concentration?
Ways to reduce distractions while working from home don’t always come easy. In addition to the messages and email from your coworkers, you may also have family members or pets vying for your attention on a regular basis. As such, you need to find ways to help improve your focus so you can easily concentrate on the task at hand.
According to Forbes, one way you can help eliminate distractions it to turn off notifications on your phone. If you’re constantly getting distracted by social media updates or text messages from friends and family, then you need to set aside part of your day when you’re essentially “off-limits.” This goes for the people who live in your house, as well, though it’s important to mention that you are available if there’s a serious problem that needs your attention right away.
What can I do if I’m overwhelmed with work?
It goes without saying that trying to get everything done can be frustrating, especially when you have a lot on your plate. If you own a small business, for example, striking a balance between answering emails and actually running your business can prove difficult, especially if you’re trying to do everything yourself. Fortunately, freelancers can help with many different tasks if you find yourself with more to do than any one person can possibly accomplish. A virtual assistant, for example, can help you manage your schedule, respond to emails from clients and customers, and help with the “smaller” tasks that often clutter up your day.
While all this info can help, keep in mind that working from home takes some getting used to. What’s more, your experiences will be different from others, particularly if you are dealing with children and domestic duties. Your most valuable asset is time, and considering that many experts project remote work to be here to stay, time is on your side.
Chelsea Lamb has dedicated almost a decade of her career to refining her technical skills. She is the resident digital guru for Business Pop.
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