So you've landed your dream job and get to work remotely - goodbye 9-5! It definitely takes a certain type of person to work away from an office and it comes with its own pros and cons. Sure, you get to take an afternoon power nap if you feel like it, but the lines between work and home can easily become blurred, so it's really important to find the right balance.
Ultimately it's about figuring out what works best for you - here are some of our most effective tips for working remotely!
1. Manage your time wisely
The biggest benefit to working from home is the freedom to work in your own way. But there's still deadlines and priorities, alongside a whole host of distractions that can mean you very quickly lose concentration and spiral down a rabbit hole of procrastination.
It's hugely important to make yourself a schedule and stick to it. You've got the luxury of working around your own needs, but try to keep track of how many hours you're putting in as it's easy to overwork yourself when you're no longer commuting.
2. Remember to communicate and stay social!
It's vital to keep in touch with colleagues, both for work productivity and your own sanity. Even the most introverted can find working from home lonely! Use chat apps like Slack to maintain general communication and jump on video conference calls to keep yourself in the loop. Make the effort to visit the office occasionally too, giving you a chance to follow up on things that aren't always possible to discuss over email.
3. Create a definitive work zone
Another major reason for blurred lines between work and home can be down to where and how you choose to work. Although it's very tempting to stay in bed, this probably won't put you in the right mindset for work. Having a dedicated work zone can maximise your productivity and keep you motivated; whether it's a separate desk somewhere in your home or a local cafe with WiFi.
4. Dress for success
It's tempting to wear PJ's all day, and we're not saying you can't ever have a lazy day...but taking the time to get ready and dressed for the day as you would for an office job is an important part of your structure and signals to your brain that it's time to work. You don't have to wear formal office attire, just go with whatever you feel most comfortable in.
5. Embrace 'Do Not Disturb'
If you've got a 'DND' option, make the most of it so that your colleagues know you're unavailable or busy. Also make sure that when you're not working, you're not working. Allow time completely away from everything work related, switching off your laptop and email notifications. Most people would switch off from work during the commute home - instead proactively spend those spare hours on a personal project or fit in that extra gym class you've been wanting to do.
6. Change of scenery
The main advantage to working remotely is that you can work from anywhere. A coffee shop, a library, in bed, in the kitchen, in the park - wherever you feel most productive. It allows you to move around throughout the day until you can find somewhere that helps you focus.
7. Take regular breaks
Everybody needs a break, especially when staring at computer screens all day. Taking regular coffee breaks and going for walks will increase productivity because it allows your brain to recharge before heading back to your desk and trying again.
What are your tips for working remotely? Tweet us at @OregaOffices.
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