You're working remotely and struggling to stay productive. How can you overcome the most common challenges?

1 Set up a dedicated workspace

One of the keys to working remotely is to have a comfortable and ergonomic workspace that suits your needs. Ideally, you should have a separate room or area that is free from noise, clutter, and interruptions. You should also have a reliable internet connection, a good computer, and any software or tools you need to perform your tasks. Having a dedicated workspace can help you create a clear boundary between your work and personal life, and signal to yourself and others that you are in work mode.

3 Optimize your search engine skills

Working remotely can be an opportunity to hone your search engine skills, which are essential for finding, analyzing, and using information online. To optimize your search engine skills, you can use advanced operators and filters to refine your queries and results, evaluate the credibility, relevance, and timeliness of the sources you find, apply critical thinking and logic to verify and interpret the data you collect, organize and store your information in a logical and accessible way, and cite and reference your sources properly and ethically. Doing so can increase your efficiency, accuracy, and creativity while working remotely.

4 Communicate effectively and frequently

Communication is vital for working remotely, as it enables collaboration with colleagues, clients, and managers, and helps to avoid confusion, disputes, and delays. It's important to use the right channels and tools for different purposes and situations. For example, email for formal messages, instant messaging for informal chats, video conferencing for meetings and presentations, and phone calls for urgent matters. Additionally, you should follow the best practices of online communication such as being clear in your messages, using proper grammar and punctuation, responding promptly and politely, giving feedback when necessary, and showing empathy and respect. By communicating effectively and frequently while working remotely, you can build trust, rapport, and teamwork.

5 Stay connected and engaged

Working remotely can sometimes make you feel isolated, lonely, or bored, which can affect your mood, motivation, and performance. To combat this, it is important to stay connected and engaged with your colleagues, friends, and family. You can do this by participating in virtual events and activities such as webinars, workshops, games, or quizzes; joining online communities and groups; reaching out to mentors, peers, or mentees for advice or collaboration; celebrating your achievements; and expressing appreciation to those who help you. Staying connected in this way can reduce stress while also boosting morale and fostering a sense of belonging.

6 Learn and adapt continuously

Working remotely can also be a chance to learn and adapt continuously, as you face new challenges, opportunities, and changes. You should embrace a growth mindset, by being open to feedback, learning from your mistakes, and seeking new knowledge and skills. You should also be flexible and resilient, by adjusting to different situations, coping with uncertainty, and overcoming difficulties. By learning and adapting continuously, you can improve your performance, satisfaction, and growth while working remotely.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?