More people than ever before are working from home. Rather than commuting to and from work every morning and afternoon, they’re simply walking from their bedroom to their dining table or home office.
Now, working from home can be incredibly beneficial to your life. It affords you more freedom than a traditional office setting, allows you to make your own schedule, and gives you more time, as you no longer have to sit in rush hour traffic twice a day.
However, without a few tips for working remotely, you might find that working from home isn’t as easy as you might have thought.
Being productive while working from home requires a level of self-discipline that you don’t need in an office. You are responsible for your entire workday, and how you approach it can make or break your success.
To help you get the most out of working from home, so you can have all the benefits while bypassing the common pitfalls, we’ve put together a list of 9 of the best remote work tips. Keep reading to learn more.
1. Have a Designated Workspace
One of the absolute most important tips for working from home that we can give you is to have a designated workspace. The worst thing you can do for your productivity and ultimately your mental health is to attempt to work from a “hangout space” such as your bed or couch.
If you don’t have the space or budget to create a dedicated home office, that’s okay. But carve out a corner of your living room for an office setup, or take over the dining table during working hours.
Wherever you choose to work in your house, be sure that it’s an area that isn’t typically for relaxation. The key is to not disrupt your brain’s association with certain areas of your home.
For example, your brain associates your bed with sleep. This means that if you start working in bed as well, your brain will associate your bed with sleep and work, and you’ll find it difficult to switch out of work mode when you lay your head down at night.
2. Set up Your Space With Ergonomics in Mind
When you design your workspace, wherever it is, it needs to be set up with ergonomics in mind. In doing so, you’ll increase your productivity and comfort, while decreasing your risk of chronic pain and other ailments.
So, what does it mean to set up your desk with ergonomics in mind? Well, think right angles. While you work, your knees, elbows, and hips should be at a ninety-degree angle at all times.
Your chair should be low enough to the ground that you’re able to rest your feet flat on the floor, but high enough that you aren’t tucking your legs beneath you. Likewise, your desk should be tall enough that you’re able to easily fit your legs beneath it, but low enough that you’re able to keep your shoulders relaxed as you type.
Working on a laptop is a popular choice, as it provides a level of convenience that can’t be obtained with a desktop. However, if you do work on a laptop, consider purchasing a separate keyboard or monitor to use while you work.
Working on a laptop means that your head is at a constant downward angle, or that your arms are at an awkward height. It’s better to either have your laptop screen in your line of vision with your head at a neutral position or the laptop keyboard low enough for your shoulders to be relaxed.
3. Create a Daily Schedule
Once you have your workspace picked out and your desk setup in a way that will allow you to be comfortable and productive throughout the entire workday, it’s time to set a schedule for yourself.
As we mentioned above, one of the major benefits of working from home is that you can create your own schedule. But that’s just it – you need a schedule. It can be tempting to tell yourself that you’ll work “whenever” but this is a major mistake that can damage your productivity and mental health.
You should sit down to work and leave your desk, done for the day, at the same time every day. You don’t have to stick to the traditional 9-5 schedule if working earlier or getting a later start is better for you, but you should still have a consistent work window.
4. Take Plenty of Breaks
When you’re creating your remote work schedule, do not block out an entire eight-hour chunk of time, slap a “work” label on it, and call it a day. Throughout your workday, you need to be sure that you take plenty of breaks, both for lunch and simply for decompression.
The best way to do this is to schedule them into your day. That way, you reduce the risk of accidentally missing your break window because you got caught up with a project.
It can be tough to pull yourself away from your work, but keep in mind that breaks are essential for preventing burnout. You might feel that you’re wasting time at the moment, however, you’re actually ensuring that you make the most out of your time by staying motivated and productive.
5. Wake Up Early and Get Ready for the Day
When you work from home, the temptation to sleep in, roll out of bed, and work in your pajamas can be strong. But if you want to maximize your workday, this is a crucial error.
If you look at the schedules of the world’s most successful people, they all have unique aspects, but the majority have one thing in common: they start early. This is no coincidence. Your brain is sharpest in the morning hours, take advantage of it!
You should also have a morning routine set in place that you complete every morning in preparation for work. Just as your brain creates associations between certain places and activities, it also creates associations between certain activities and “modes”.
Going through the same morning routine every day in preparation for work will signal to your brain that it’s time to get into productivity mode. Not to mention, setting your day off on the right foot, on your terms, will help you feel your best going into your workday.
So, for example, let’s say you wake up at 7 am and start work at 9 am. During those two hours, you should get dressed for the day, enjoy a cup of coffee, then exercise, journal, meditate, anything that makes you feel centered and focused.
6. Destress With Exercise
For optimal health, we should be getting a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. Doing so will not only boost how you feel physically but will help with stress, productivity, and your overall mental health as well.
During your breaks throughout the day, consider walking around the block or even just wander around your house for a few minutes. On top of that, either before or after work, make time for intentional exercise.
Don’t force yourself to go to the gym if you don’t want to. You’re much more likely to stick to your exercise regimen if it’s something you look forward to. Sign up for a yoga class, ride your bike around the neighborhood, or go for a swim. There’s no wrong answer as long as you’re getting your body moving.
7. Upgrade Your Technology
In order to get the most out of your experience working from home, you might need to upgrade your technology. Yes, this can be a bit of an investment, but if you have an ancient computer or your internet works at a snail’s pace, you’re going to struggle to maintain the same level of productivity you had in an office.
And you don’t have to spend a fortune! Brands like Lenovo are always running sales on some of their best business laptops and other equipment.
When it comes to your internet speed, take your time and shop around. Many providers offer great deals for first-time customers that will give you lightning-fast internet for the same price or less than you’re paying now.
Last but not least, be sure that your cellphone and webcam are high enough quality to allow you to communicate with other members of your team throughout the day.
Use These Tips for Working Remotely to Boost Your Productivity
Working from home can be one of the most enriching experiences of your life. You’re able to have more independence and more time for the things and people you love most.
That said, if you’re used to a traditional office setting, it can take some adjustment. But with these tips for working remotely, you’ll find that the transition is much smoother than you were expecting.
Looking for more tips and tricks for getting the most out of your remote job? Be sure to check out our blog!
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