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Not everyone finds it easy to thrive in remote work. Yet despite comments by some industry leaders, remote work is real work and you can make a difference to your employers and yourself. There is greater freedom when you work from home, securing a better sense of well-being, resulting in greater productivity and enhanced performance concerning your job.
Sign Up to an Agency in Your Field
Agencies can be a lifeline when looking for new work. However, remote work is becoming a sector in itself, especially for outsourcing. For example, as a healthcare worker, adapting to remote work can be a significant challenge. However, there are powerful strategies, from transferring your skills to working from home. Companies like My Mountain Mover connect qualified medical staff from all sectors with employers looking for outsourced services.
Create the Space to Thrive in Remote Work
A survey in the UK in 2022 found that 49% of people felt their homes were unsuitable for working from home. A lot of people don’t treat their remote work environment like an office or suitable workspace, but it makes a massive difference. Try these tips to make it better:
- Designate a space or room that has access to the accessories you need.
- Ensure the room is comfortable to work in, safe, and away from distractions.
- Invest in quality furniture that works to reduce repetitive strain injury.
Keep the Hours You Work Best
Some people are morning people, and others work better at night. However, there are also golden hours for work. This is the time of day when you might have the most energy and sharper focus. It can also mean the best time for your personal circumstances. As a remote worker, you have much greater control over the hours you work. By recognizing your golden hours and what works best for you, you can almost guarantee improved productivity.
Thrive in Remote Work with the Right Tools
There are a few tools you will need to thrive in remote work. Some are industry-specific, and an employer might provide these. However, you will have to sign up to purchase some yourself. Project management, collaboration, and self-management are examples. But consider these:
- Ensure you have access to essential tools for reports and other administrative tasks.
- Purchase subscriptions for industry-standard tools, which you can deduct from taxes!
- Ask employers about other tools you need, such as for project management.
Access to standard tools such as office apps makes things much easier, as they are used by almost everyone. However, you may need extra tools you must pay for, but these can be deducted from self-employed taxes. Any specialist tools may be provided on a per-job basis.
Develop Your Computer Skills
Of course, working from home means you need the proper hardware, too. This includes working with a laptop, desktop PC, or mobile device. Because of this, you will need to brush up on your computer skills. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be a tech wizard! For the most part, a good understanding of how an operating system (Windows, macOS) works, using tools such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, and email and virtual meeting tools are all you need.
Learn Virtual Etiquette to Thrive in Remote Work
A survey of 45,000 workers by Inc.com found that the average employee takes around 8 virtual meetings per week. When self-employed or working from home, this can be much higher. Therefore, it is a good idea to be aware of basic virtual etiquette for remote meetings:
- Stay present for all remote meetings with tools such as Team and Zoom.
- Ensure your mic is mute when someone else is speaking so as not to interrupt.
- Respond as fast as you can when someone asks a question, and speak clearly.
Ask for Feedback
Getting to grips with a new way of working takes some time. And it can be a learning curve. Growing and improving comes naturally, but you can also get some things wrong. One of the most powerful tools for professional self-improvement is asking for feedback. Employers will be more than happy to provide feedback that can highlight the shortfalls in how you work and the things you do well. Never take it personally, and use it as a means of making positive changes.
Summary
Signing up to an agency related to your profession can help you get ahead and thrive in remote work. You will also need specific tools for project management and collaboration. To improve how you work from home, ask for feedback from employers and use it in a positive manner.
