8
Remote Working Tips for Beginners
Our passions lie in a few areas:
travel, global understanding, and remote work. If you're jumping into the latter
for the first time, we're here to give you a few tips from the experts.
So
you’ve convinced your boss to let you work remotely, or you’ve landed a new
remote job - now what? How can you stay productive, creative,
inspired and live up to all of the expectations that you’ve set for yourself
within this new lifestyle?
As
a fully-distributed company ourselves, leading programs that allow
people who work remotely to do so in cities around the world, we
have a few tips and tricks up our sleeves for remote work beginners.
1. Over-communicate
The
key to being successful in any professional role is communication, but when it comes
to remote work, it is an even more important asset. Since you’re
no longer a few desks down from your coworkers or your manager, it’s your job
to schedule 1:1 check-in meetings with them on a weekly basis to connect on
your goals, upcoming projects, and daily tasks.
Make
sure to advocate for yourself and clearly state the progress you’ve made in the
past week, which goals you’ve surpassed and which projects you’ve led. When
you’re not in the office, it can be difficult for your manager to keep your
work top-of-mind, so don’t be afraid to bring important milestones up on your
own.
2. Invest in reliable tech
Any remote worker will tell you that access to consistent WiFi is integral to their
success, but there's more to a successful setup than an internet connection.
Along with having the ability to make video calls without losing connection,
you should consider what tools and tech you'll need to do your job well. For
example, many remote workers invest in a great pair of noise-canceling
headphones so that they can take their work anywhere - regardless of background
noise levels. Others find that wireless keyboards and mouses, or even a second
screen, are integral to their efficiency.
3. Lean on your community
One
of the major myths
surrounding remote work is that people who don’t work in a
corporate office are lonely. To make sure that you’re feeling supported and
connected to the “real world”, we recommend becoming a part of a remote
community - either virtually or in-person at a local coworking
space or collective. We’ve found that being surrounded by others who are
successfully working remotely inspires beginners to stay the course and remain
productive while embracing location flexibility.
4. Consider your workspace
Set yourself
up for success in a place where you can focus on the tasks at
hand. Whether this means you find a great
coworking space near you, stake out a local coffee shop or
create a designated spot for work at home, make sure that you feel motivated by
your environment and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
5. Figure out your working style
At
the start of your remote work journey, it’s a great idea to figure out the
environment that you need to work successfully. For example, do you like being
surrounded by white noise? A café may be the best choice for you. Work well in
silence? It might be time to invest in some noise-canceling headphones. Other
things to consider are whether you’re more productive in the morning or in the
evening and whether you’re motivated by taking small breaks throughout the day
or a longer midday respite. This is the beauty of remote work - getting to work
during your best hours, whatever they may be.
6. Take time for self-care
When
the line between “work” and “home” starts to blur, you might find yourself
stuck to your computer screen for a longer period of time (see next point).
While that can sometimes be necessary when closing a major deal or finalizing
an important presentation, give yourself time for, well, you. Commit to your fitness routine and make sure that you’re creating blocks in your schedule to
eat healthy, nutritious meals so that you can be focused and productive when
you need to be.
The
benefits of remote work can stretch into your life outside of work as well.
With increased flexibility, you can take time to make sure you’re not missing
life’s important moments. As a remote worker, you can take care of your kids
without worrying about leaving the office during standard business hours, you
can decide to work from any location around the world and you can even book
that doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off because it didn’t work with
your schedule.
7. Know when to “log off”
This
can be one of the most challenging aspects for remote work beginners, as the world is becoming increasingly connected. Though you may receive emails and
chat notifications at any hour (especially if you’re working in a different
time zone than your coworkers), it’s important to develop a habit of setting a
time when you officially “log off” for the night. The best part of working
remotely is having the flexibility to work when you are most productive, so be
careful about setting the standard that you are available 24/7.
8. Embrace the perks of working
remotely
Working
remotely doesn’t just apply to those who would work from home or in the same
region as their company’s office. If it’s possible with your current position,
take your talent on the road! On Remote Year, employees, freelancers, and
entrepreneurs work from places like Hanoi, Kuala
Lumpur, Cape Town, Lisbon, and Mexico City - all while enjoying
the support of an incredible community.
Now
that you’re working remotely, life will look a little bit different (and a
little more awesome). However, if you rely on the eight tips that we’ve listed
above, the transition from to the freedom of a flexible work style will be
smooth and successful.
