Unlocking Productivity: 12 Strategies for a Successful Remote Work Experience

Home working has become ubiquitous for many of us, but staying motivated at home isn’t always easy. This this blog we explore 12 strategies for a successful remote work experience.

We will look back on the pandemic as a pivotal point in our lives. People talk about ‘before the pandemic’ and ‘after the pandemic’ like it’s BC and AD. The concept of remote work, once confined to the executive boardroom, underwent an irreversible transformation during this period. Video calls, once a novelty, are now integral to our daily routines. For many, working from home has become the norm, a routine embraced at least a few days a week. Yet, amidst this shift, challenges abound. Motivation, especially when navigating the solitude of remote work, presents a formidable hurdle. In this blog, we explore the nuanced strategies that empower individuals to stay motivated and inspired within the realm of home-based work.

1. Create a Suitable Working Environment

Your working environment should be suitable, safe, and quiet. Don’t work from your bed or the sofa. Instead, ensure you have a separate working environment. Not everyone will have access to a home office or garden office. But if possible, use a dining table to differentiate your workspace from where you watch Netflix or sleep.

Creating this separation ‘tricks’ your brain into taking notice. If you’re working from the sofa, you’re much more likely to want to relax and put the TV on.

Make sure your workstation is decluttered and pleasant. This way, you’ll be more likely to want to work there. If you’re able to, you could also invest in some hardware to make your setup really special. Perhaps a new chair, monitor, or laptop riser could improve things for you.

Optimise Lighting: Ensure your workspace has ample natural or artificial light to reduce eye strain. Position your desk so that you don’t face direct glare from windows or light sources.

Ergonomic Furniture: Invest in a comfortable chair and an ergonomic desk if possible. Adjust the height of your chair and monitor to maintain a neutral posture, preventing discomfort or long-term health issues.

Take Micro-Breaks: Every hour, take short breaks to stretch or change your posture. Simple stretches or a quick walk around the room can help alleviate tension and maintain focus.

2. Dress for Remote Work

Even if you don’t have video calls, ensure you’re dressed the part. For one thing, you never know when you might need to jump on a call. But, there is more to this strategy for successful remote working, wearing smart clothing is another way to trick yourself into treating the working day differently from your leisure time. You don’t need to put on a three-piece suit, but perhaps put on a shirt, chinos, or work dress. Apparently, even putting on smart socks can improve your frame of mind.

3. Organise Your Time for a Successful Remote Working Day

Split your day into an early morning walk, work time, and leisure time in the evening. Having clear delineation between these different phases helps to create boundaries between your activities. Within your working day, use your calendar to block out time between meetings. Block out time for lunch and breaks. Reserve time for different types of tasks like checking and responding to emails or completing presentations. Create a “going-to” and “coming-home-from-work” routine.

Wake up earlier: Waking up earlier allows you to start the day with a morning ‘commute’. You can weave in a walk or exercise routine into your morning, make time for breakfast, and set yourself up for the day. Start your day by setting out your objectives for the day.

Set Yourself a Daily Goal: Set yourself three to five things that you would like to do that day. Use a prioritization tool like Microsoft To-Do, Trello, or Wunderlist to note down the top activities for your day.

Practice the “10-Minute Rule”: In order to beat procrastination, this rule dictates that you should start working immediately, preferably on an easy task that can be finished. Work in small blocks of time to complete manageable activities.

Break down bigger activities into manageable chunks that could take about ten minutes to complete. These chunks could be creating a slide, drafting an email, or writing a few paragraphs at a time.

We’ve got loads more tips on time management on a dedicated blog post.

4. Check in with Your Colleagues

It’s easy to avoid socializing when working from home. So, proactively schedule time with colleagues to check in. Hold one another to account and talk about your days and what you’re planning to achieve. Ask colleagues to review early drafts of your work; don’t wait to show them the final version, instead, proactively seek feedback.

Use Collaboration Tools: Leverage collaboration platforms such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom to foster real-time communication. Schedule regular team meetings for updates and discussions.

Encourage Informal Chats: Create virtual spaces for casual conversations, replicating the watercooler experience. This can enhance team bonding and maintain a sense of camaraderie.

5. Reward Yourself

Give yourself a break partway through the morning to have your favorite tea or coffee if you’ve ticked off some of your to-do list. Or, give yourself an afternoon snack at 4 pm if you’re nearly done for the day.

Incorporate Healthy Snacks: Opt for nutritious snacks to fuel your energy levels. Consider a piece of fruit, a handful of nuts, or a yogurt parfait.

Enjoy a Quick Outdoor Break: Instead of a snack, take a short break outdoors. A breath of fresh air or a brief walk can invigorate your mind and enhance overall well-being.

6. Practice Good Self-Care

It’s easy to let the working day bleed into your evening. Ensure you have a clear break between work time and leisure time. If you’re able to, use different mobile phones or different profiles within the same phone to give yourself some separation between the types of notifications you get. Turn off Teams or Slack notifications in the evening.

Ensure you’re eating healthily too, we have a tonne of nutrition hacks on this blog.

Make sure you’re limiting distractions within the day too; if you can, turn off your mobile phone or your personal notifications. You don’t need to respond to those WhatsApp messages about your next trip until the end of the day!

7. Fitness and Wellness

Maintaining a healthy mind goes hand in hand with a healthy body. Incorporating fitness into your day doesn’t require a home gym; simple exercises can do wonders.

To deploy this strategy for successful remote work, consider a quick morning workout or a midday stretch session. These moments not only energize your body but also sharpen your focus, making your work hours more productive. Remember, a brisk walk during breaks can be your secret weapon against the midday slump.

8. Switch Off Social Media

Just like your phone, social media has a habit of stealing your attention and taking up your limited time. Try turning off notifications on both your phone and your desktop to limit social media’s interference.

9. Continuous Professional Development During Remote Work

Turn your home office into a hub for personal and professional growth. The extra time gained from skipping the daily commute can be a golden opportunity for self-improvement. During your remote work days, use the time to dive into online courses or webinars to expand your skill set. Whether it’s mastering a new programming language or enhancing your leadership skills, continuous learning not only adds value to your profile but injects a fresh dose of enthusiasm into your daily routine.

10. Practice Regulating Your Emotions

It’s easy to become overwhelmed and to get caught up in your own feelings and emotions at home. Try weaving in some mindfulness into your morning routine. Try getting a second opinion from a trusted colleague if you feel yourself spiraling and worrying throughout the day.

Set Specific Social Media Times: Designate specific times during the day for checking social media. Turning off notifications and setting boundaries help avoid constant distractions.

Practice Mindfulness Techniques: Incorporate mindfulness exercises into your routine. Deep-breathing exercises, meditation, or short mindfulness breaks can help you stay focused and manage stress effectively. According to the American Psychological Association:

“researchers reviewed more than 200 studies of mindfulness among healthy people and found mindfulness-based therapy was especially effective for reducing stress, anxiety and depression. “

Working from home can sometimes take a toll on your mental well-being. Acknowledge the importance of mental health and adopt strategies to cope with stress and anxiety. Incorporate short mindfulness breaks into your routine. Consider reaching out to colleagues for a virtual coffee break or seek the support of professionals if needed. Prioritize your mental health, and you’ll find that a healthy mind is a powerhouse for sustained motivation.

11. Adapt Your Schedule for When You Work Best

One best strategies for a successful remote work experience is adapting your schedule to capitalize on peak productivity periods. If you’re able to, review your calendar to complete tasks when you know you’ll have the most energy. For some, this will be first thing in the morning, for others in the afternoon. There are plenty of tips on how to find the best time to work that works for you over at Clockify. If you’re a morning person, use the early hours for your most challenging activities.

12. Set yourself short and long term goals

Beyond the daily to-do list, set your sights on long-term goals. Establish a roadmap for your personal and professional development. What skills do you want to acquire? Where do you see yourself in the next few years? Setting clear, achievable goals not only gives your work purpose but also propels you forward, turning the remote work landscape into a canvas for your long-term aspirations.

As you implement these 12 strategies for a successful remote work routine, remember that adapting your schedule, maintaining self-care, and setting long-term goals are crucial elements in navigating the evolving landscape of remote work.