The Guide to Working Remotely: How to Thrive at Home

As we move into the ending phases of the COVID pandemic, one aspect of this time that seems to be here to stay is working from home. This approach to work is new to many people, and there is bound to be a learning curve. So what kind of rules should a new remote worker put into place to ensure a successful working from home experience? Here is a guide to working remotely.

Working from home can be a rewarding experience with the right guidelines. Remote workers should construct a schedule they can keep, constantly communicate with team members, and set boundaries for their work-life balance. These guidelines will help new remote workers set themselves up for success. 

Keep to a Schedule  

Priority number one: Pick what hours you will work every day. If you are working as a freelancer, block out the times during your day you will dedicate to your various projects. The best practice is to stay within the average 9 to 5 or 8 to 4.  

A step further would be to section off your work hours into specific chunks. For example, figure out how many hours a particular project will take, and set aside parts of your workday for that project. This is called project management, and it can be very effective for productivity.

Make Communication A Priority

One of the best ways to make working remotely work for you is to prioritize communication with your employer. Whether you are a freelancer of some kind or you work for a company, you need to be available to the people you work with. 

When working remotely communication is a struggle, from internet connection problems to the lack of face-to-face communication, working from home presents some challenges. That is why prioritizing communication is important. 

Set Boundaries

Though it can be difficult to do so, setting boundaries is an essential part of working remotely. Some remote workers have difficulty separating their work life from their home life because both times take place in the same place. 

These boundaries should be rules like not opening your email after 5 o’clock, or leaving your work computer in a specific location. The priority should be maintaining a separation between work and personal life. 

Put Your Mental Health First

At the end of the day, working remotely can be a rewarding experience when the right guidelines are followed.  A general guide to working remotely is to set a schedule for yourself, make communicating with your employers a priority, and set boundaries for yourself. 

Contact us for more information on working remotely.