You’re working remotely and feeling isolated. How can you connect with your colleagues and stay motivated?

1 Set a routine

One of the first steps to working remotely effectively is to establish a consistent and realistic routine. This can help you create a clear boundary between your work and personal life, as well as provide some structure and stability to your day. Try to wake up, start, and end your work at the same time every day, and schedule regular breaks to refresh your mind and body. Having a routine can also help you communicate your availability and expectations to your colleagues and managers, and avoid distractions and interruptions.

2 Use the right tools

Another key factor to working remotely successfully is to use the right tools and platforms to communicate and collaborate with your colleagues. Depending on your work needs and preferences, you may want to use different tools for different purposes, such as video calls, instant messaging, email, project management software, or cloud storage. Make sure you have access to the tools you need, and that you know how to use them effectively and securely. Also, try to choose the most appropriate tool for the situation, and avoid overloading your colleagues with unnecessary or redundant messages.

3 Be social

Working remotely can make you feel isolated and lonely, especially if you are used to interacting with your colleagues face-to-face. To combat this, you need to make an effort to be social and connect with your colleagues on a personal level, not just on a professional one. You can do this by initiating casual conversations, sharing updates, asking questions, giving feedback, or expressing gratitude. You can also join or organize virtual social events, such as coffee chats, happy hours, trivia games, or book clubs. These activities can help you build rapport, trust, and camaraderie with your colleagues, as well as reduce stress and boost your mood.

4 Seek support

Working remotely can also make you feel disconnected and unsupported, especially if you encounter challenges or difficulties in your work. To overcome this, you need to seek support from your colleagues and managers, as well as from your friends and family. You can do this by reaching out to them when you need help, advice, or feedback, and by being open and honest about your challenges and needs. You can also offer support to others who may be struggling or facing similar issues. Seeking and providing support can help you create a sense of belonging, empathy, and solidarity with your colleagues, as well as improve your performance and confidence.