The rise of remote working is upon us. More and more businesses are allowing their employees to work from home, and for a good reason – telecommuting has a lot of benefits. But if you’re not used to working from home, it can be tough to make the most out of it.
In this blog post, we will discuss how to make the most out of working from home and overcome some of the common challenges that come with it!
What are the Benefits of Working from Home?
The benefits of working from home are pretty straightforward.
- You get to save on commuting costs
- You have more flexibility with your time
- You can avoid the distractions of a busy office environment.
- You can take breaks whenever you want
- You can set your hours, and you can wear whatever you want!
Undoubtedly, working and earning money from home has become fast and simple. With an internet connection and a laptop or mobile device, people are booking online jobs with just a click of a button.
With many options of earning money online, such as freelancing or signing up for online surveys, you can secure some extra cash besides your usual full-time work!
While many people have become accustomed to working remotely, that doesn’t mean that there are no challenges with working from your couch while wearing pajamas!
Read on to learn about the most common challenges remote workers face and how you can overcome them starting today!
The 3 Main Challenges of Working Remotely
Many challenges can arise when people switch from a traditional office setting to a work-at-home environment.
Here are three main challenges people tend to face when making such a transition.
1.Maintaining Focus and Being Productive
The biggest challenge is usually staying focused and productive. When you’re not in an office setting, it’s easy to get distracted by other things going on around you or the lure of social media.
Having your phone next to you isn’t always a good idea when you’re trying to focus on an important task. Sounds of notifications can automatically force your brain to reach out and check your device for any messages.
That’s not all; once you have your phone in your hand, you have access to other social media platforms. Soon, you may find yourself immersed and distracted with cat videos or Kim Kardashian’s latest scandal.
2.Connecting with Your Team
Another challenge is staying connected to your coworkers. While working from home, it’s easy to feel isolated and disconnected from the rest of your team.
While working at the office, you were used to seeing and communicating with others every day. So the sudden loss of that daily in-person conversations can affect you big time.
Moreover, with remote working, the issue of continuous connectivity comes to light. For example, when you want a fast response from a coworker who’s not online, urgent tasks have to be put on the waiting list, whereas in the office, you could have just walked to their floor in a few minutes.
3.Friends and Family Members Contacting You
The last challenge is dealing with family or friends who might not understand your current state. They think that they can contact you just because you’re at home whenever they want.
Some friends might call or message you for a chat when you’re unavailable. At the same time, family members might barge in your room and ask you questions.
Before remote working, your loved ones knew you were at the office, and calling you would be impossible during peak work hours unless it were something urgent. But now, at home, they’ve taken their liberties since they have access to you 24/7.
Tips for Setting up a Productive Home Office Space
While challenges exist and continue to increase, solutions are available for many new remote workers finding it tough to transition.
Check out these tips to stay focused and productive at home.
Have Your Own Work Space
Have a designated workspace in your house that is free from distractions.
Yes, you can work in your bed, but how long do you think it’s a good idea to do that?
You need to separate personal from work, including your furniture, chairs, and desks. So ensure you have all the tools and supplies you need to be productive (e.g., computer, printer, office supplies, etc.).
Once you keep using that same corner for work, your brain will associate that space with productivity and focus. If your own space is not inspiring or motivating enough, then check out coworking spaces or shared spaces where you can network and get inspired by professional people all around. If you are visiting or living in Tennessee then make sure to check out office spaces in Nashville.
Turn Off Social Media Notifications
It’s best to turn off notifications from apps like Facebook and Instagram. The last thing you need is to regain your focus once it’s lost, thanks to hours of scrolling on these platforms.
If you can’t resist the temptation, put your phone in airplane mode or turn it off entirely while you’re working. That way, you can focus on the task at hand without interruptions from people trying to get a hold of you.
Inform Family and Friends of Your Work Hours
It’s best to inform family and friends when you’re available for a chat or not. If they want to contact you during your work hours, it should be limited to emergencies only.
You can hang/ place a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door. That way, they won’t bug you while you’re working—and you can focus on your tasks.
You can even try using noise-canceling headphones if you find yourself getting distracted by noises from outside your home office space.
Take Scheduled Breaks
Take breaks if you absolutely need to, like when eating, having snacks, going to the bathroom, or catching some air. But try not to let them turn into long distractions. Unlike the office, you don’t have someone telling you to take a break or that it’s lunchtime.
So it’s up to you to be disciplined enough to take breaks when needed and not let them turn into long distractions.
An excellent way to do this is by setting a timer for yourself and working until the timer goes off. You can then take a five-minute break to get up and move around.
If you find that you’re getting sleepy after lunch, try taking a 20-minute nap instead of watching TV or browsing the internet.
Use Online Platforms for Connecting with Your Team
Stay connected with your team by using tools like Slack or Zoom video conferencing so you can stay in touch with everyone else at work throughout the day!.
Also, make sure that you’re using tools like Trello or Asana to keep yourself organized and productive while working remotely!
Start Implementing These Tips to Boost Your Productivity
Working from home can be a great way to have more flexibility and freedom in your work life, but it’s essential to take some steps to make sure you stay productive and don’t feel too isolated.
With the right tips in place, you can overcome any challenges that come with working from home and start enjoying all the benefits this arrangement has to offer!
