7 keys to working remotely! Working remotely is all the rage right now! As technology advances, more and more corporate companies and small businesses are moving away from the office setting and going virtual. In fact, according to Flexjobs, there are over 170 companies in America that operate 100 percent remotely. As a small business that has built a business model around working remotely, we have found 7 major keys that are vital to a company’s success when working remotely. The application of these 7 keys will increase productivity and help your team accomplish its goals.
- Time management. Time management can be defined as the ability to use one’s time effectively or productively, especially at work. While working remotely, it can be difficult to manage your time if you are not used to working outside of an office setting. Managing your time requires scheduling and a commitment to that schedule. You must use every hour of your working day wisely as you are working remotely to get things done.
- Create an atmosphere of productivity. In an office setting, a productive atmosphere is already created for you. This atmosphere enables employees to engage in their work and promotes productivity. When working remotely, it is important to create your own atmosphere of productivity. You can start by gathering all the items you will need to do your work. Make sure that the atmosphere you create caters to the way you work best. For instance, some people work best in quiet environments while others need music or activity surrounding them. Creating a productive atmosphere will help hinder any laziness that tries to creep in while you’re working remotely.
- Challenge yourself. Challenging yourself to accomplish daily goals can play a major role in your quest to stay motivated and on task. There are many ways to challenge yourself. You can start by asking yourself what needs to be done. Then set goals based on your priorities, and challenge yourself to accomplish them.
- Reward yourself. Yep! It is very important to reward yourself, especially after challenging yourself. Did you know that not rewarding yourself daily for the work you do can lead to being burned out and depleted? In fact, according to Psych Central not treating or rewarding yourself after accomplishing goals can lead to feeling deprived. Be sure to apply this key after a challenge.
- Eliminate Distractions. While working remotely, do yourself a favor and eliminate all distractions. For most of us, our many distractions are on one device – the smart phone. If you have trouble maintaining focus, make a list of all the things that distract you, and then work to eliminate those distractions while working remotely. This will increase both your focus and productivity.
- Connect with your team. Stay in touch. Always stay connected to your team. Don’t wait for someone else to reach out. Practice reaching out on a daily basis. Take time to see what goals they have for the day and what work they will be engaged in. Set weekly meetings with your team and create opportunities to communicate. Send them your location and maybe even a picture. Any form of communication with your team is healthy and important when working remotely.
- Become a tech guru. Technology is advancing daily. Be sure to take some time out of each day to see what new apps and technology can contribute to working remotely. This will help you stay up to date as technology progresses. It will also help you work smarter while working remotely.
Working remotely can be very rewarding, especially with the application of these 7 major keys. Take some time to review them and find ways to apply each. We hope this blog contributes to your success and the success of your team as you work remotely.