As highlighted in my previous article ‘Four Crucial Pointers to Help You Succeed’, starting out slowly, developing good relationships with others, being honest about what you know and what you don’t, and being friendly and approachable, are all essential in helping you settle in your new job. But what if your job doesn’t exactly involve much face-to-face? Remote working is seeing increasing popularity – and with good reason. Research cited by Inc found that employees who work remotely are 43% less likely to experience burnout. This is probably due to the fact that remote employees are given the freedom to work their own hours and have the freedom to create their own comfortable and productive workspace. In addition to this, an article by Small Biz Genius pointed out that people who work remotely, at least once a month, are more likely to be happy and productive by 24%. If you’re one of the millions who have begun working remotely and aren’t quite sure how to establish yourself as a reliable employee at your new job, here are some things you can do:
Figure out a schedule
Around 40% of individuals agree that the greatest benefit of working remotely is having a flexible schedule. But a flexible schedule can be a double-edged sword, especially if you aren’t used to having control over your own hours. Business Insider’s article on remote workers explains that the key to being a successful remote worker is by developing a sense of work structure outside of a traditional office environment. A regular schedule or routine will not only help you become more effective and productive; it will also allow you to have better work-life balance. As explained by Fast Company, 22% of workers struggle with unplugging from work. Since remote workers don’t commute and have no way to leave their workspace, they find it hard to separate work from their personal life. You will be easily tempted to check emails, text with your co-workers, or do extra work any time you’re connected to the internet, even if work hours are already over. Aside from having a regular schedule, planning an activity right after work, or having a friend who will remind you that the workday is over, can help you disconnect from your job.
Determine a designated workspace
If working from home isn’t an option, or if you find after a few days that you’re unable to focus at home, it may be worth checking out co-working spaces in your area. Industrious shares how there are co-working spaces for every kind of worker: large, move-in ready suites customizable for entire teams, private offices, as well as less expensive dedicated desk spaces and flexible seats in shared workplaces that you can rent if working alone. They’re all a better option than coffee shops, since they’re more professional. And for an even cheaper alternative, you can head down to your local library and work there – most libraries offer free WiFi and power outlets and have an atmosphere that’s quiet and conducive for working. The Atlantic also writes that many libraries have now introduced many modern technologies in an attempt to stay relevant: from 3-D printers, green screens, and data-visualization walls, to cutting-edge video- and audio-recording software. Access to most libraries is free, desk space is often not an issue, and you won’t ever have to worry about overstaying your welcome.
Practice over-communication
Sometimes we tend to use fewer words, in the hopes of coming across as more efficient and concise. However, with the lack of body language and face-to-face interactions, such brevity often leads to the receiver wasting too much time trying to interpret your message, and still misinterpreting your meaning. To avoid this, practicing over-communication is the way to go. Harvard Business Review’s article points out that you should never assume that others understand your cues and shorthand. Instead, make it a habit to be as detailed as possible whenever you’re communicating with your colleagues, regardless of the medium. If you’re the type of person who communicates through digital media with one-word answers (or worse, one-letter answers, like “K” for “OK”), or if you think that talking with your colleagues should always be stiff and formal, then maybe it’s time for you to update your definition of professional communication. Forbes’ article explains that as companies gravitate toward communication platforms such as Slack, they’ve been encouraging their employees to use the technology not just for work, but also as means to form both personal and professional relationships, and to forge common experiences with colleagues. I hope the above tips will give you some useful ideas about how to navigate some of the most common pitfalls of remote working, and help you to become a professional, standout remote worker. With the workforce environment changing so dramatically within the past decade, it’s becoming one of the best ways to work—for both you and your company!