A Beginner’s Guide to Remote Working
ResourceWhether you have just landed your first remote job or have recently found yourself working from home for the first time, it may take a little while to adjust to this new lifestyle. Nevertheless, when you find your flow, remote work can be rewarding.
Location-independent work provides many benefits for both employees and employers. Studies have shown an increase in productivity, efficiency, motivation, and happiness among those who work remote. With many other perks outside of work, it’s not a surprise remote work is becoming more and more popular.
A remote lifestyle may seem like the dream, and for most, it can be. However, like many other work situations, there are elements to this way of life that can cause hurdles when you are first starting.
In this post, we have compiled a few tips for remote work beginner’s to help you hit the ground running with your new role.
Communication
Communication is the key to success within any professional role.
Keep yourself on track with tasks, projects and workplace goals, by proactively scheduling meetings with your manager and coworkers. This direct communication will not only boost your performance but encourage you to stay on course to meet deadlines.
When conversing with your team, ensure you keep your messages clear and concise. Focus on the intention of your message for successful delivery.
“Try to get your point across in as little words as possible”, says We Work Remotely. “Although simple messages are encouraged, you want to avoid your messages coming across as rude or abrupt. Emojis can support you to convey the correct tone for the conversation”.
As with most workplace etiquette, it’s polite to promptly return emails, calls, or any other form of correspondence you receive from your colleagues. Inc.com suggest having a system in place to support interactions within your team. Dropbox, Google Docs, or Box, are all well known, easy-to-use systems that can help to improve your communication and workflow while working remotely.
The Right Equipment
Make sure you have a computer or laptop that is up for the job. You’ll want to ensure whatever device you have is equipped with the right software and apps for you. Carry out some research to guarantee you have the right gear that can keep up and effectively perform all the tasks required by your new role.
As video calls and conferences are an integral part of remote working, having a webcam may be essential for your job. Most laptops come with one built-in, but it’s something to consider if you need to buy one for your monitor.
One of the main components to most remote jobs is having a stable internet connection. Ensure you have a constant, decent-speed connection to support your productivity. Don’t leave yourself frustrated because your internet keeps dropping out on you.
So whether you are working from home, your favourite cafe, or a beach in Bali, make sure you have the right equipment to keep your work flowing nicely.
Workflow
Finding a workflow that is right for you takes a little time and practice.
Start by getting yourself organised. Be accurate on what your new role expects from you. Set a clear intention of what you are trying to achieve, a deadline for when tasks are due, and a clear plan on how you are going to execute them well.
Eliminate manual processes by identifying repeatable actions. Create templates that you can use to increase your productivity by streamlining your work process.
There are many workflow tools available to help you get organised with your profession. Consider incorporating apps such as Trello, Asana, or Click Up to advance productivity and keep yourself on track.
Improve your workflow by actively avoiding distractions. Lifehack.org shared tips to keep you focused on your work:
- Reduce the chaos of your day by focusing on 2-3 essential tasks,
- Focus only on the next step of your bigger-picture project,
- Remove external distractions by turning off unneeded tech, removing yourself from noisy environments, or working at quieter times of the day.
Simple things such as getting dressed, cleaning your workspace, or writing a list of everything that is on your mind, can also help you evade distractions while working remotely.
Work-Life Balance
When working in a remote job, especially if this means working from home, the work-life balance line can often become blurred. Setting clear boundaries can be one way to overcome this common hurdle.
Establishing the hours and conditions you need to work is a great place to start. Communicate these terms to the people you live with, and let them know when you will be available ahead of time. You can also set the same boundaries with your colleagues too. Let them know when you will be online and free for work-related matters.
Throughout the day, remember to take a break. Go for a walk, run an errand, or move into another room for a few minutes. Stepping away from your workspace can leave you feeling energised to tackle the rest of your tasks when you return.
Better your work-life balance by making plans for after your working hours. Whether it’s dinner with a friend, a workout class, or going to the cinema, ensure whatever plans you make, you stick to them. Having somewhere to be at the end of your working hours will guarantee you sign off and step away from your work, and in turn, this will support your work-life balance.
Be Social
Working remotely or at home can often be lonely. Luckily there are many ways for remote workers to be social.
~ Connect with a remote online community – Carry out a quick search online, and you’ll be sure to find a group dedicated to “remote workers”, “digital nomads”, or “the laptop lifestyle”. You can also narrow down the search and look to join online communities dedicated to your chosen field or niche.
Online community groups are great for sharing thoughts, asking questions, and finding recommendations from fellow remote workers.
These groups can provide more than just a social outlet and support; they can provide opportunities for people to connect and collaborate while keeping you social as you work from anywhere you like.
~ Join a coworking space – Working from home or your local coffeehouse can be great, and each have their perks. However, there are many benefits to working from a coworking space – flexible working, professional self-development, and networking opportunities. But one of the main attractions is the ability to be social outside of your house.
~ Attend networking events – These events are a great way to meet likeminded people in your field. With this comes to the possibility for friendships, partnerships and collaborations. Keep social by finding networking events near you.
~ Check-in with your existing connections – One of the easiest ways to remain social while remote working is keeping in touch with your current friendships. Whether that’s grabbing a coffee, going for a walk, or scheduling a video call, set aside time for friends and family throughout your workweek. Checking in with your existing relationships will help you to remain social while working remotely.
Embrace the Perks
Working remotely can be a dream situation for most – A flexible schedule, a custom environment, zero commuting, and an increase in productivity. To experience the true remote lifestyle, you have to utilise these perks.
Whether you chose the remote life for the flexible hours, to spend time with your family, or to travel, make sure you take advantage of these benefits.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it a beginner’s guide to remote working:
- Clear Communication
- Right Equipment
- Establish a Workflow
- Find the Work-Life Balance
- Be Social
- Embrace the Perks
This is just a quick guide to offer pointers to the skills you need to maximize your success while embarking on a location independence journey.
We hope this guide has enabled you to hit the ground running in your new role.
Remote work is what you make of it, now make it work for you.
