Are you keen to understand how to work remotely? Work and study environments are not the same conventional structure they used to be in the past. Businesses are now hiring people who are looking for flexible workspaces. These new employees could be required to work from a job site, from home, or anywhere else.
With such a flexible working arrangement, it is important that, as a professional, anyone working remotely has the tools and skills to accomplish their day-to-day tasks. It can be difficult when you don’t have a manager or team leader over your shoulder encouraging you to get things done.
Below you will find all the best tips and tricks for working remotely.
What are the best ways to stay focused?
It can be a challenge to stay focused on a task when you are working remotely, particularly if you are working from the comfort of your own home. There are many things that can tempt you into distraction, such as your dog, the TV, social media, household chores, etc.
Here are the most helpful tips to avoid distraction and boost productivity.
- Take small breaks: If you feel yourself getting tired or drained, take a 15 or 20 minutes break to do something other than work. You could make lunch, go for a walk, or play with your pets. By giving yourself a small break away from your tasks you will be able to return to work feeling rejuvenated and ready to get it done.
- Minimise distractions, especially social media: One of the biggest distractions is social media. With so much of our days spent online, it’s easy to sit and scroll on Instagram for hours. Not being able to access these sites, or anything else you find distracting will allow you to optimise your workday. There are plenty of apps that you can download that will block your social media so you cannot access it. Once you have finished working the apps will allow you back on.
- Set clear goals for yourself: At the start of each day, week, or month, make sure you have a clear picture in your head of the tasks you need to complete and the goals you want to achieve. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to maximise your time, and in turn, see more success.
- Have a clear office space: If you are working from home don’t set up for the day in the middle of the lounge room, or any space that will get a lot of traffic. A spare room or designated home office is ideal for helping you finish your work. Simulate an office environment with your desk, computer, and stationary. You will feel more like working when the environment is encouraging, leading you to be more productive.
What skills are necessary and useful?
Before you consider if working remotely is right for you, assess if you’ve got what it takes to make it work. There are soft skills and practical skills that you will need to thrive outside of your typical office environment.
Slack:
Being able to stay connected and communicate with colleagues is crucial to success when working remotely. Use Slack’s instant messaging and call features to communicate with big groups or individuals. The conversations are always saved onto the program so you can go back and find something for reference if needed.
Trello:
Staying on task when working away from your colleagues is challenging. Programs like Trello are the best for helping with that. Stay up to date by getting notifications every time a task is completed or when a new task is added to the jobs list.
Organisation:
Keeping organised will become a necessary habit for you. Hardcopy paper, emails, digital files – they all become your responsibility. Your organisational skills need to shine, and you need to identify the best way to file and store everything so it can be accessed at a moment’s notice if needed.
How can online study help with remote working?
If you are looking to upskill as a remote worker you will find plenty of benefits. Having an online diploma will give transferable skills to your industry, whether they are management skills, leadership skills, or practical skills.
Online study will teach you plenty of beneficial skills that you can then apply to your non-conventional working environment. When you choose to study online you place all the responsibility in your own hands. It is up to you to ensure you are completing work, meeting deadlines, and staying in touch with the necessary people to ensure you finish the course. The same can be said for working remotely. All the responsibility is in your hands.
Being a remote worker can seem daunting to someone comfortable with a traditional office environment. With the right skills, programs, and guidance you can make sure the work you are doing is of exceptional quality and always completed on time. You’ll be guided by the skills gained from seeking online study and will feel your most productive, regardless of whether you are working from home, at a different site, or anywhere else in the world.