The coronavirus has taken the world by storm. As countries manage this growing pandemic, much remains uncertain. But maintaining the health and safety of those around the globe is paramount.
For many businesses, remote work will become a critical resource in the coming days, weeks and maybe even months.
HERE ARE 10 HELPFUL TIPS FOR WORKING REMOTELY:
1) Have a dedicated work space that’s clean and free of distractions. What’s more, try to separate this space from the idea of “home” as much as possible. That way, when working, you’re not preoccupied thinking about that sink of dirty dishes or pile of dirty laundry.
2) When setting up your work space for the very first time, do so the night before. That way, all you need to do in the morning is turn on the computer. This helps avoid “Shoot! This isn’t working the way I thought it would” moments, and make an emergency situation.
3) Have the right equipment. This will differ by person and by job. But make sure you can replicate whatever workstation you have at the office at home.
4) Make sure you have strong Internet connection to support your work. If you’re in sales or have frequent meetings, you need an internet connection that’ll support latency-free audio and video calls. Be sure to call your local provider to iron out these issues ASAP
5) Be comfortable, but not too comfortable. It may sound nice to work from a sofa or love seat. But hunching over a laptop for long hours isn’t great for posture. What’s more, you may be tempted to turn on the TV—or even doze off if you didn’t sleep well the night before. Instead, find a suitable “home office” space for yourself. You may not have a desk at home you can work at—and that’s fine. Even sitting at a regular table and chair can help you stay focused.
6) Prevent interruptions with a designated work zone. When you have a family—particularly children or teens—at home when you’re working, having an “off-limits” work space can help prevent interruptions.
7) Set expectations with other people in your home. Let your family know that just because you’re home doesn’t mean you’re available. Communicate that during working hours—when you’re in work mode—that space is yours.
8) Find out your colleagues’ preferred communication style. Ask them how they’d prefer to connect when there’s a question or something to talk through. Should I ask via e-mail? Throw time on their calendar?
9) Go through the same rituals you do when in the office. Get dressed in the morning. Eat your lunch at your usual time.
10) At the beginning of the day, make a to-do list of what you need/want to accomplish. Prioritize the tasks that are most important, and budget your time accordingly.