02 Apr How to Work Remotely and Make it Work
How to Work Remotely and Make It Work
I’ve worked on and off at home over the course of my career. Like a majority of Americans, I’ve been working from home for the last 10 days as I remain safer at home from the coronavirus pandemic.
In that time, I’ve been very productive, distracted by meaningless household issues, interrupted by my boyfriend who was also working from home, and had more than one dog bark during a call. I’ve also witnessed my colleagues’ spouses walk in and out of video conference calls, been put on hold while children were disciplined, and saw how one colleague used a stack of computer paper to prop up her computer monitor.
Yes, it’s a new world we are navigating as we all work remote!
For those of you who may be new to a work from home situation, here is how I am productive working remotely:
Get Dressed
I get dressed. I don’t necessarily do my hair and makeup, but I do shower and get dressed in “real” clothes (no yoga pants, pajamas, or sweats for me). My philosophy is, if I feel professional, I am more likely to be professional.
Have an “Office”
I have a dedicated workspace, in my case a home office, I always do my work in. In it, I have my desk, a second screen, and good lighting. Everything I need to feel and be productive. I am not a person who performs well with my laptop on the couch. I will even say, “I’m going to work now,” and head into my office to get me and everyone in my home in the mindset that I’m at work.
If you don’t have a spare room to become an office, make an office in the space you do have. Set up a dedicated area that is “your space” and, if possible, not to be shared with others in the house. Don’t have a desk? I know colleagues who have used wine racks, card tables and kitchen tables as their office.
Schedule Breaks
I can be easily distracted by unloading the dishwasher, followed by cleaning the kitchen, which leads to snacking, more cleaning, checking social media, and before I know it, a big chunk of time has gone by when I wasn’t working.
To avoid these distractions, I schedule my chores and other breaks into my day as I would if I were going to the office. I like to do laundry and walk the dogs at the end of the day and into the evening after the significant part of my workday is done (as I do on the days I go to the office). I take mid-day and lunch breaks, usually as a reward after I have completed something on my to-do list.
Block My Calendar
When I have calls or appointments during the day, I block the time off on my calendar. Depending upon the situation, I may also notify my supervisor or client I will be unavailable and when. I believe when you are upfront about your schedule and share when you are/are not available, people will learn to trust that you are working and being productive. I never want to make anyone wonder if I am truly working or question how productive I am in a remote situation.
Be Flexible
Ideally, I have set office hours, even when I’m working from home. However, I also understand that I may be expected to be accessible earlier and later than my standard workday. I know my clients or colleagues may direct message me at non-standard hours and, if it’s important, expect a response. I may be expected to join conference calls and answer emails early in the morning or into the evening if that’s when others are available. It doesn’t mean I am tied to my desk for 12 hours a day, but it does mean I may stretch my work hours over a larger portion of the day.
Convey Professionalism
Just because I’m at home doesn’t mean I have a pass on being professional. I ensure I look presentable, even if I’m in jeans and a casual shirt. As a frequent user of video calls, I check to see that my office space around me is neat and tidy. I look how my home office looks behind me. If the closet door is open (the view from my laptop), I close it. I don’t want anyone seeing a messy office, inappropriate picture, or the wrong or non-work-related document on my computer screen. It’s important for me to convey I’m a professional, even if I am working from home.
Prepare for Calls
When I have a phone or video call, I prepare for it ahead of time. I set up and test the camera angle as well as the audio and microphone settings. There is nothing worse than starting a call waiting for someone to get their technology working, especially if that person is me! I love my dogs, but I know others surely won’t if they must hear them barking in the background. I lock my dogs in the house (no doggie door access during my calls) and sometimes give them a nice treat so they are not tempted to interrupt my call.
If you have children at home, let them know you’ll be on a call, for approximately how long, and give them a task or project to work on during it. Always let everyone in the house know when you are off the call, so you can be sure to always maximize that quiet time when you need it most!
Stay off Social Media
I know this one is easier said than done, but resist going down the rabbit hole of social media while you are working from home. Employers are generally allowed to monitor your activity on a workplace computer. It’s best to assume your employer is and keep your social media, and any job searching activities, off your work computer and outside of normal working hours.
Working from home has many benefits and can be highly productive. This is how I make working remotely work for me. Put these tips into place and discover how to best make working from home, either temporarily or permanently, work for you.
Grab a copy of my free career guide 8 Simple Things That Will Get You Promoted and learn how to get promoted without working harder, even if you don’t have an advanced degree or a ton of experience.