How to Effectively Work Remotely

/

COVID-19 is impacting everyone to some extent. Most companies are having their employees work from home. Remote working helps to prevent spreading the virus while caring for the health and safety of a company's employees as well.

how-to-work-remotely.jpg

For some, working from home might be new. From getting into the right mentality to clear communication guidelines and everything in between, Catalyst Creativ, co-founded by Outspoken speaker Amanda Slavin, has the best advice to lend you during this time. Discover some of our favorite tips, straight from their experience, for how to effectively work remotely. 

CHANNEL YOUR "WORKING" MENTALITY

When you typically work in an office, the moment you step foot in the door, you can clearly distinguish a working mindset. Meaning you're going through the responsibilities needed to tackle the workday, any meetings set in place, and cultivating your motivation to do your job effectively and with a twinkle of joy. 

You go through your day. You take your coffee break, speak with coworkers about both work-related and non-work related conversations, spearhead a meeting or two, finish up your work then clock out when the clock strikes 5:00 PM. When you leave the office, your working mentality fades into the back of your mind, and you begin to focus on other tasks, events, plans you have for the remainder of the day. Mentally, you get the chance to clock out. 

When you're working from home, physically walking in and out of the office isn't an option. Sometimes, it can be hard to turn your working mentality off when your work is continuously accessible without any fine lines or parameters stopping you from overworking. 

Our advice is to develop boundaries for yourself when working from home. Channel your working mentality by deciding when to physically close your laptop or shut down your computer at the end of your workday. 

ORGANIZATION IS YOUR FRIEND

It's essential to develop strong organizational skills as a professional. When you're set to work from home, it's especially pertinent to maintain structure to keep all of your responsibilities in line. 

For instance:

  • Monitor and update your calendar

  • Ensure you don't skimp on any scheduling details

  • Effectively take notes and prepare for meetings

  • Maintain a clean, organized office space strictly for your work

  • Double-check to see if your WIFI works appropriately and has a strong enough bandwidth 

  • Make sure you have access to all essentials needed for you to complete and do your job efficiently

GET INTO A GROOVE

Similar to your work routine, act as if you'd go into your office. Establish a timeline to follow at your home. Create a routine that's adaptable to your newfound work environment in your home. Just because you’re home doesn't mean you don't deserve to set and follow a work schedule. It'll make doing your job from the comfort of your home run smoothly. 

SET LIMITS FOR YOURSELF

Along similar lines of channeling your working mentality, setting limits for yourself is essential. 

It's easy to overextend yourself when working from home. You think, "I can work a little extra now and perfect this project." While working to complete items on time is valuable in any employee, overextending yourself to work excessive overtime isn't healthy.

Take breaks when needed. Make that cup of coffee. Talk with your family members for a couple of minutes. Go outside for a brisk walk. Eat lunch. Take time to yourself to mentally and physically reset.

You've worked all day long, and it's time to call it quits, yet you continue seeing emails flooding in and feel compelled to continue answering and working. Consider these questions: 

  • Is it a pressing matter?

  • Is what they're sending me time-sensitive?

  • Can this be answered tomorrow with zero consequences? 

If you can deem that the additional work you're receiving can wait, let it wait. You are a priority too. Take extra care of your mental and physical health. The temptation to continue working is absolutely there, but you deserve a break and to turn your work electronics off for the day and "clock out" on your terms. There will always be more work that needs to be done, but there's only one of you. And you should only handle so much on a workday. 

Please, take the time to rest. It's important. 

MAINTAIN CLEAR, CONCISE COMMUNICATION

Communication is vital for every company, especially when you're juggling many projects at once. Ask questions, get clarity and maintain contact as clearly as possible. Working in-person is very different than when you're moved to electronic communication. Sometimes, it can be harder to get in touch with your coworkers or supervisor. 

Make sure your team discusses preferred avenues for communication and any preferred timelines to be in touch with one another. Besides, a company works as well as the communication set between its employees. Clear, concise communication with little to no room for assumptions is ideal.

Big thank you to Amanda Slavin and her company, Catalyst Creativ for these helpful tips. 

At Outspoken Agency, we dedicate ourselves to our clients. If you’d like to contact us to get advice on navigating anything events/speaker-related or learn how we’re making the most of our timing working remotely, please reach out to our team today. We'd love to hear from you: 1-646-863-4000

Additional Content from Amanda Slavin:

Amanda Slavin discusses the seventh level of engagement when your employees understand what you stand for and what your purpose is as a workplace and an organization during the INBOUND 2019 Conference.