Working remotely in higher education can be challenging, especially when your motivation and productivity are waning. How do you cope with the distractions, isolation, and lack of structure that come with online learning or teaching? Here are some tips to help you stay focused, engaged, and efficient while working from home.
One of the best ways to boost your motivation and productivity is to create a consistent and realistic routine that suits your needs and goals. Having a regular schedule can help you manage your time, prioritize your tasks, and avoid procrastination. Try to wake up, work, eat, exercise, and sleep at similar times each day. Also, make sure to include breaks, social interactions, and hobbies in your routine to balance your work and life.
To maintain both motivation & productivity: Fixed Schedule: Set consistent work hours that mimic an on-campus routine. Stick to this schedule as much as possible, even for breaks. Dedicated Workspace: Designate a specific area in your home as your workspace. This separation helps establish boundaries and prime your mind for focused work. Minimize Distractions: Silence notifications, avoid multitasking, and inform housemates/family of your work hours to minimize interruptions. Plan & Prioritize: Create a to-do list each day, prioritizing tasks and allocating realistic time blocks for each. Schedule Breaks: Plan short breaks throughout the day to move around, stretch, or step outside for fresh air.
Creating a routine in higher education remote work is like building a sturdy bridge to success! ?? It provides structure, manages time effectively, and minimizes distractions. By setting regular wake-up and work hours, taking breaks, and balancing work with social interactions and hobbies, individuals stay focused and motivated. Flexibility and boundaries prevent burnout and ensure adaptability. With a thoughtful routine, remote workers can thrive in the world of higher education. ????
Another tip is to designate a specific area in your home as your workspace. This can help you separate your work from your personal life, minimize distractions, and enhance your focus. Ideally, your workspace should be comfortable, quiet, well-lit, and equipped with the necessary tools and resources. You can also personalize your workspace with some plants, pictures, or motivational quotes to make it more inviting and inspiring.
Creating a dedicated workspace at home is like building a fortress for productivity! ???? This article emphasizes the importance of designating a specific area for work, offering practical tips for selecting the right spot, equipping it with necessary tools, and adding personal touches for inspiration. By establishing clear boundaries, individuals can minimize distractions and optimize their environment for success in higher education remote work.
Setting clear and achievable goals can help you stay motivated and productive while working remotely. Goals can help you track your progress, measure your performance, and celebrate your achievements. You can use a planner, a calendar, or an app to write down your daily, weekly, or monthly goals and break them down into smaller and manageable steps. You can also reward yourself with something you enjoy after completing a goal, such as watching a show, having a snack, or calling a friend.
Working remotely in higher education does not mean working alone. You can still communicate and collaborate with your peers, instructors, or colleagues using various online platforms and tools. Communication and collaboration can help you exchange ideas, feedback, and support, as well as build rapport and trust. You can also join or create online communities, forums, or groups related to your field of interest or study to expand your network and learn from others.
Once you designed a productive framework that is personalized to your work style and position, it's as important to build in ways you can experience the release of oxytocin, the brain hormone that stimulates the social brain triggering belonging and curiosity. Almost every position in higher education has access to an association where one can receive mentoring, supporting, and collaboration both within the place you work for and beyond. In addition, you want to create collaborative experiences beyond your work space too! For example, there is research supporting increase motivation and inspiration when adults join recreational team sports. Designing your balance of connection will enhance your presence and creativity at work and in life!
In addition to creating and joining online communities and groups, which is very helpful, don’t forget that you can also join or create in person groups as well. We can’t spend all of our days every week at our home computers and desks, we need to remember to make time to see people in person as well. For example, I’m a member of a local business women’s networking group and find a lot of value in seeing these folks in person to share strategies with each other about working from home and other business tips. We also share some laughs and have fun with each other. It’s a great break in the day that also has real value.
Working remotely in higher education can also be stressful and emotionally draining, especially during uncertain and challenging times. Therefore, it is important to manage your stress and emotions effectively and practice self-care. You can do this by identifying and addressing the sources of your stress, such as workload, deadlines, or technical issues. You can also use relaxation techniques, such as breathing, meditation, or yoga, to calm your mind and body. Moreover, you can seek help from your family, friends, or professionals if you feel overwhelmed or depressed.
Finally, working remotely in higher education can be a great opportunity to learn and improve your skills and knowledge. You can use the online resources and courses available to enhance your academic or professional development. You can also seek feedback from your peers, instructors, or colleagues to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, you can reflect on your own experiences and challenges and learn from your mistakes and successes.
If you are handling a regular small class, call and talk to students. Enquire about them, their progress and their overall being. This builds a rapport with the students. Classes will be lively as students will start to talk and discuss. This will help connect and increase our motivation too. Monologue will demotivate.
Time blocking in a calendar system can also help you stay motivated and get things accomplished. Although I capture all my specific tasks in online kanban software, I also block time out in an online calendar every week to work on different projects, so I can visually see what my days and week look like at a glance. It helps me to do the things I need to do, but also to not take on too much every week.
One of the best skills I have imparted was from one of my mentors, who is Professor in Psychology. He explained some concepts in class using Kobe Bryant and pop culture. it captivates students who may feel unmotivated half way through the course. Overall, it is a smart strategy to tailor to who you are serving. This may differ when it is a group of undergraduates versus doctoral students.