Working from home is often seen as the new “cool” thing to do. But making it work (see what we did there?), and keeping a healthy work/life balance is important to maintain its success. Here are five essential tips every remote employee should know to be their most successful self and help stay productive and maintain work-life balance:
- Designating a Dedicated Workspace: One of the biggest struggles of working remotely is juggling professional and personal life. To help with this, find an area that should be free from distractions and also helps with productivity, whether by a window or in a room where you won’t be disturbed.
- Establishing a Routine: Just like working in-office, establishing a routine is crucial for remote work success. Set working hours, lunch hours, and break time, and stick to them as much as possible. Keeping a schedule will help maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- Communicating Effectively: Making sure you’re speaking clearly and communicating smoothly is one of the most important things to be aware of when working remotely, especially when you're not physically in front of your colleagues. Make sure to over-communicate to cover for the lack of face-to-face interaction, and always clarify expectations to avoid misunderstandings. If your workspace allows, you can also explore using emojis, and even custom emojis, to make remote communication easier.
- Taking Regular Breaks: Schedule short breaks throughout the day to walk, stretch, or simply take a break to avoid burnout. If work gets busy, be sure to at least make time for lunch away from your workspace to re-energize yourself.
- Staying Organized and Prioritize Tasks: Be organized by keeping track of your work and explore some free/paid project management tools. These tools make work simple by reminding you of your work, highlighting requirements and deadlines.
All in all, remote work offers a lot of flexibility, but it also requires solid time management and self-responsibility. By implementing these five tips—creating a dedicated workspace, building a routine, communicating clearly, taking breaks, and being organized—you'll be setup for success in a remote work environment and achieve both professional success and personal well-being.
