You're working remotely. How do you make sure you're not working too much?

In a prior professional role, I often found myself working remotely and frequently extending my work hours until midnight. To overcome this pattern, I implemented a few strategies. I established a structured work schedule, prioritized my tasks effectively, utilized reminders to stay on track, dressed in smart casual attire to cultivate a professional atmosphere, designated a dedicated workspace (even if it meant avoiding working from my bed or couch), scheduled evening activities to ensure closure of my workday (such as walks, family time, workouts, or watching favorite series), & importantly, communicated with my colleagues and managers about maintaining a healthy work-life balance, emphasizing the importance of personal time with family.

To make sure I have work-life balance, I treat my workday at home the same as I would when I am working in the office. I put calendar reminders to take time to step away from my desk and refocus my attention and I make sure to keep a lot of snacks handy - no one likes a hangry co-worker, remote or in person. I schedule the end of the workday on my calendar so that, unless there is an urgent requests, I am not added to meetings after my workday ends. I also allocate the time I would have spent commuting to focus on projects or action items with tight deadlines. This gives me extra time in my day for work, without taking away from my time with my family.

Prioritizing self-care and adhering to regular working hours are essential in preventing burnout when working remotely. Utilizing productivity tools, setting realistic goals, and actively disconnecting from work at the end of the day contribute to a more balanced and sustainable remote work routine.

Work life balance is what needs to be kept in mind always, no matter u r working from office or remotely. Setting a schedule is most important also it shows your efficiency as well. A proper set up, again be it in office/home, its created discipline. Your breaks at home should be same as office, thinking to work in late evening let to imbalanced work life balance.

To work from home effectively, set strict boundaries, prioritize tasks, say no if necessary, keep your housemates informed, minimize in-work distractions, take a set lunch break, leave your workspace at the end of the day, turn off work devices, do something for yourself, and focus on the positives.

Clear boundaries are key - in the early days of lockdown I found a walk before and after work helped to bookend the day, kind of like a substitute commute.

Always creating a space is important. The best approach is to try to avoid the intimate spaces that give you peace of mind. If work gets introduced to those special places in your home it can be hard to not associate that place with work. Therefore, it can be hard to disconnect. The kitchen is always good if you don't have an office space but ensure it's always tidy to avoid disruptions. Or a kid's room. I sometimes use my kids room because they have desks for schoolwork and it's well lit.

Designate a dedicated workspace in your home where you can focus on your work without distractions. This could be a separate room, a corner of a room, or even just a specific desk or table. Make sure your workspace is comfortable, well-lit, and equipped with all the tools and resources you need to be productive.

I agree. Creating/having a dedicated workspace helps you to focus & perform your best. I find having a dedicated workspace that's quiet, & free from interruptions, helps me focus & follow a regular schedule.

It was not easy for anyone to just start working from home when COVID lockdown started. Many had no proper space at home to work. To make work from home effective, it is important that one should create a workspace which separates your personal life. You should feel as though you are working from office. Make sure that how you expect your office space is kept clean and tidy you keep your office space at home also same way so that it provides a working environment.

Taking breaks is the difficult part for me, I have to force myself to push back from workstation, stand, stretch, get a glass of water or something to eat. I think breaks are easire when working from a company office, there is always someone going for coffee or lunch that you can tag along with :)

I try to ensure I grab some fresh air either during my day or at the end of it , a walk gives me time to myself and time to think it also gives me a purpose and keeps my dog happy too

Lunch break should be always protected, go for a walk, treat yourself to a coffee from a coffee shop, call your relative, or just do something different. Regular breaks from the screen are equally crucial, stand up every hour and stop looking at the screen, do some stretches, and go and get another drink. I know how bad your body can get if you ignore that.

It's essential to take regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. Schedule short breaks between tasks or every hour to stretch, move around, and give your mind a chance to relax. Avoid the temptation to work through breaks, as this can lead to burnout and decreased productivity in the long run

Adhering to scheduled breaks not only fosters mental freshness but also enhances overall productivity. In addition to designated times for meals and tea, it is advisable to allocate brief intervals for a five-minute walk when necessary. It is important to manage stress effectively while working remotely, as excessive stress may diminish efficiency and escalate workloads. Wishing you a productive working day with a positive attitude and a well-maintained life balance.

From my experience I can say that setting clear boundaries while remote working is crucial. And it is both an art and a science. Establishing designated work hours and creating a dedicated workspace are key elements in this process. Equally important is effectively communicating these boundaries to colleagues, clients and managers to ensure mutual understanding and respect. Avoiding distractions during work hours and off hours is essential for maximizing productivity and preventing burnout. Overall ,remote work requires intentional efforts to focus on the work you do.. finding the right balance between professional responsibilities and personal well being .

Since it’s remote, people’s mindset makes them think they can extend their working hours on the term of urgency or business requirements. But that makes them feel that the employee is available anytime and hence taken for granted. Make your boundaries very clear from day one and be valued for what you are doing.

Setting daily goals and boundaries is essential to having a successful work/ life balance when working from home. Creating your daily work schedule while allowing for lunch time and breaks will provide the needed structure to be successful. It can be helpful to minimize home distractions as well including personal calls and social media distractions to keep focused.

Creating a work life balance is of utmost importance. Setting clear goals and boundaries are critical. Ensure time to go outdoors, pursue new hobbies, connect with family and friends .

While working remotely, setting clear boundaries is more critical than ever. Create a schedule, noting the big rocks you'll accomplish that day in order to stay on track. Posting your work schedule and whether you're on Pacific Standard Time or elsewhere sets expectations for your team and allows for better work/life balance.

A solid support system is magic! Often times we wear that cape and want to do it all - now that’s where things spiral into a burnout. Being home doesn’t mean you take up additional chores at home/ over do salad counters in your kitchen or sacrifice your well-being with a choking calendar which seems like a mash-up. What’s worked for me is clarifying roles back home & being transparent about my vulnerabilities. Above all mutual Allyship with your partner / spouse plays a pivotal point in sustained balance during remote working.

If you find yourself struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance while working remotely, don't hesitate to seek support from your colleagues, supervisor, or human resources department. They can offer guidance, resources, and solutions to help you better manage your workload and prioritize your well-being. Additionally, consider reaching out to friends, family members, or mental health professionals for additional support and encouragement. Remember that it's okay to ask for help when you need it.

Workload will always be there, no matter how many hours you are going to work, so you need to prioritise your day and take a break. If you are struggling to do so, if you feel guilty about having a life, speak to someone so they can tell you exactly the same thing. As proud human beings, we very often need to be told things as simple as that over and over again. Also, knowing that your manager is happy with your work should give you permission to set boundaries - seek feedback whenever you can so you can be reassured that you are doing great and you can disconnect :)

Wie du gut und vor allem produktiv mit deinem Team und deinem Vorgesetzten zusammen arbeiten kannst, liegt vorwiegend an eurem Verst?ndnis. Habt ihr Prinzipien die euch die remote Arbeit erleichtern, eure (frei) R?ume definieren, eure Zusammenarbeit gestalten und eure Kommunikation regeln? Wenn nein, dann setzt euch zusammen und sprecht darüber. Führungskr?fte sind dazu da, diese Prozesse mit zu gestalten und zu begleiten. Macht es partizipativ und nicht top down, nehmt Wünsche und Risiken wertsch?tzend auf und kl?rt war für euch oder in eurer Organisation m?glich ist. Bevor etwas eskaliert, k?nnt ihr auch Unterstützung von Seiten HR, anderen Kollegen oder Führungskr?ften zurück greifen. Remote ist noch Pr?senz, habt das richtige Mindset.

Staying in communication with your team is critical and you should never let a day go by where you don't communicate with others via the communication mechanisms provided by the company. Consider a scrum or agile process that allows you to do daily standups virtually so that you have an excuse to communicate and interact with your peers without burdening people with unnecessary meetings.

Encourage others by setting the example. We each lead with our actions, whether formally in a leadership role or not. If we tell others we support balance but can be found online at 9pm or 6am, our actions don’t align. It’s the same as being in the office and feeling weird about leaving at the end of the day when those last couple of employees are still hard at work in their cube or office. Remembering that others will subconsciously mirror others including ourselves should be a key catalyst for upholding our commitment to our own work/life balance.

During my tenure at my previous company, I initially enjoyed working remotely. However, over time, I realized that although I was performing well, I was spending prolonged hours seated. It became evident that effective time management was crucial. Establishing a structured work schedule and communicating it to Project Managers/Directors became essential priorities. Additionally, engaging in activities like Badminton or other fitness games can enhance mental well-being and help maintain a healthy balance between remote work and personal life.

Em resumo, a rotina é fundamental para quem trabalha remoto, da mesma maneira que tem horário para prática esportiva, horário para dormir, deve haver o horário do trabalho. Início e fim do expediente, da mesma forma que na empresa presencial.

Maintain a healthy work-life balance while working remotely by setting clear boundaries and creating a dedicated workspace. Take regular breaks, set realistic goals, and use technology wisely with tools like calendar apps and time-tracking software. Communicate availability with your team and practice self-care activities. Learn to say no to additional work when necessary and regularly reflect on your work habits to make adjustments. Finally, disconnect from work-related tasks and devices outside of designated working hours. These strategies help ensure you're not overworking and promote well-being while working remotely.

Desde mi experiencia, la organización y gestión del tiempo, así como crear rutinas, da buenos resultados. Tener una programación, con el tiempo que puedes dedicar a cada tarea es imprescindible. Lo más difícil de gestionar es establecer descansos, y límites...me absorbe mi trabajo y eso sí se prolonga en el tiempo,te resta energías.