Have you started working remotely?
If so, you’re not alone. In the US, there are a little more than 4 million remote workers. Additionally, 16% of companies in the US hire remote workers exclusively.
When working remotely, you don’t have to worry about a long commute, you can wear what you want, you can work anywhere there’s an internet connection, and for the most part, you’ll avoid office politics.
But, with all of the benefits that come with working remotely, there are also a few downsides. Namely, people struggle with staying productive and avoiding feelings of isolation.
To have the best work remote experience possible, check out this guide to discover the top tips for home office jobs online.
1. Set up a Work Space
When working from home, it can be all too easy to allow your workspace and your personal space to meld together.
If your workspace and your personal space are one and the same, it can be difficult to stay productive. To get your brain into work mode, we suggest setting up a workspace in your home.
This space should be a stress-free zone in an area of the home where other family members and roommates are unlikely to disturb you. If possible, it’s best to set up a home office that’s equipped with a desk, comfortable chair, and whatever else you need to get your work done.
If you don’t have a room to set up an office in, then we suggest choosing a corner in a room that doesn’t receive a lot of traffic flow.
2. Maintain Regular Hours
If your job doesn’t require you to be online during specific hours, it can be tempting to sleep in and work at a leisurely pace throughout the day.
The problem is, working at random hours can be detrimental to your productivity levels. Additionally, this can make it difficult for you to maintain a work-life balance.
This is why we suggest setting a work schedule and sticking to it. If possible, try to start your work in the morning and stop in the early evening/late afternoon. Human beings tend to be most productive in the morning.
Plus, waking up early and going to bed early is good for your overall health.
3. Have a Morning Routine
One of the major perks of working from home is that you can pretty much just roll out of bed and get going.
But, in order to get in the right mindset, we suggest establishing a morning routine that will help you transition into the workday.
Your exact morning routine will depend on your personal preferences. But, here are some things you can do to help you get ready for the day:
- Take a shower and brush your teeth
- Do a workout or go for a quick walk
- Drink a cup of coffee while reading the news
- Do a morning meditation/yoga session
- Make yourself breakfast
- Change your clothes and do your makeup
While it may feel weird to “get ready” for your day when you’re not going anywhere, doing these things can help you get into the mindset that it’s about to be work time.
4. Schedule Breaks
If your company has a policy on break times, then you’ll need to abide by those.
But, if there’s no set policy in place or if you’re self-employed, we suggest scheduling mini-breaks throughout the day. This will help keep you motivated and focused.
While different amounts of time work for different people, a recent study found that working for 52 minutes and then taking a 17-minute break is the sweet spot for staying productive for many people.
If you need to, set a timer for your breaks and work periods so you don’t go overboard. And, make sure you’re using your breaks wisely by actually doing something that recharges you.
While it can be tempting to browse social media, this often just wears your concentration down even more. We suggest going for a quick walk, calling a friend, or sitting outside and enjoying the sun.
5. Socialize With Colleagues
As we mentioned earlier, feeling lonely and isolated is one of the biggest downsides that come with working from home.
To prevent this from happening, you need to make an effort to socialize with your colleagues. Whether it’s chatting through channels like Slack, playing games through Zoom, or scheduling virtual happy hours, there’s a lot that you can do to keep in contact with your colleagues.
Just make sure that if you work for a healthcare company, you’re remembering to send HIPAA compliant messages when speaking with your colleagues.
6. Understand What Your Company Expects of You
Working from home often comes with a different set of rules than working in an office does.
Not only can you wear what you want, but many companies also allow you to take breaks when you want and work outside of “regular” hours if you have other plans or you want to sleep in a bit.
However, before you go crazy setting your own schedule, make sure you have a clear understanding of what your company expects of its remote workers.
Do you need to check in every day? Do you need to be constantly available during regular business hours? Can you take extended breaks?
It’s important to ask your employers all of these questions so you have a clear understanding of their expectations.
7. End Your Day With a Routine
Just as we suggested that you signal the beginning of your workday with a routine, so too do we suggest that you signal the end of your workday with a routine.
Once the workday is over, put away all work-related devices and sign-off all work-related apps. Then, do something you enjoy to signify that the day is over. This could be taking your dog for a walk, calling a friend, or browsing the internet.
Home Office Jobs Online: Are You Ready to Rock the Work Week?
Now that you know these tips for home office jobs online, it’s time to put them into action. Before you know it, you’ll be rocking and rolling on your new work-from-home schedule.
Be sure to check back in with our blog for more tips and tricks on working from home.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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