While the idea of working remotely can sound appealing – no more rushing out the door and tedious daily commutes! There can be some challenges that come with carrying on outside the traditional office environment. With remote working becoming essential for many organisations during the current health pandemic, we have some tips to share on how to stay on track while working from home!

Stick to a morning routine
While the idea of being able to roll out of bed and fire up your computer still in your pjs sounds tempting, sticking to a morning routine when working remotely has lots of benefits. You may not need to dress as you normally would for a day at the office, but still following the usual steps of your morning routine can help get you in the right mindset for the day ahead. With the added bonus of not having to leave the comfort of your own home!

Create a dedicated workspace
Pick a spot that is going to be conducive to working without too many distractions. If the siren call of Netflix is too strong, take yourself away from the TV. Make sure the space you’re working in is going to be comfortable – a hard-backed dining table chair might be fine for a short period of time, but not the whole day. If working remotely is going to be a regular thing for you, it may be worth speaking to your employer to see if they can assist with setting up a space at home that’s going to suit.

Stay in touch
Just because you’re out of the office doesn’t mean you need to spend your days in solitude. Thankfully we live in the digital age, so being able to stay in touch with your colleagues has never been easier. Whether it’s via email, video conferencing or chat apps, keep the social comradery going as much as you can.

Don’t forget to still take a break
Once you remove yourself from the structured environment of the workplace, taking regular breaks can be one of the first things to go. Being at home may feel more relaxed, but that doesn’t mean you should be skipping your regular breaks. If you can, try to step away from the area you’ve been working in – either go for a walk or move to another room in the house. Set an alarm if you have to or give the Pomodoro technique a try.

Work when it suits you best
Often when we work in an office, the hours we spend there are defined by the business itself and the team around us. Though you may still need to be available during those core business hours, working remotely does give you more flexibility around how you structure your day. If you’re a morning person, this could be your opportunity to start earlier than you normally would or vice versa. If there is a certain piece of work that you know you’ll be able to focus more on outside of your “standard” hours, go for it!

Relish being the master of your own environment!
Listen to the music that you enjoy, set the temperature to what you want. Eat that really crunchy or smelly food that your colleagues normally complain about. Make the most of all those little things that working from home can offer!

Pick a finish time
If you’re working remotely it can be tempting to just keep going, especially if you’re on a roll. But like taking regular breaks, you need to give yourself a finish time too. If you’re working in a team, don’t forget to communicate with them that you’re logging off for the day.

You may be away from your colleagues and peers, but working remotely doesn’t have to impact your productivity. Keeping open communication channels is important, especially during a time like this. Remote working may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it can be done successfully!

Good luck,
Kirsty and Nikki

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