Hacking Productivity in the Remote Workspace

Modern technology has made it easier for workers to work remotely. It’s predicted that the number of remote workers will equal the number of those working in office locations in the coming years.

Remote working offers many benefits, including fewer distractions and increased productivity. When deadlines are not met, the dream of working remotely can turn into a nightmare.

Here are 10 proven ways to stay productive in your remote workspace:

Prioritize tasks efficiently

Using a chart to prioritize your tasks by urgency can help you stay on top of deadlines and remain productive, even if your workload increases. You should take enough time to decide which tasks are the most important based on deadlines or coworker requests. Once you know, schedule them into your calendar so that you can see what needs to get done during the day. ?

Limit distractions

Having goals can keep you on track and motivated. By setting deadlines for yourself, it may be easier to stay focused. Also, identify distractions, and then you can decide on? how to eliminate them. If messages from coworkers are distracting, make sure your status says "do not" disturb while you're working on tasks requiring your full attention.

Communicate effectively

Be sure to communicate with your team at least once per day, otherwise, you will lose touch with your company and its needs. Telecommuting can make it difficult to stay involved in the workflow of your company, so be proactive in developing goals that create open lines of communication between you and the rest of the team. Keep everyone updated on your schedule and availability often to avoid any issues.

Contribute to virtual meetings

Some team meetings will take place remotely, but you should attend optional meetings once in a while too. For instance, come to the meeting prepared with your ideas. This way other colleagues could hear you and get your opinion as well. Speak up during the meeting so that everyone knows you're there! "Thanks, everyone. Bye!" at the close of the meeting goes a long way toward making your presence known.

Ask for regular feedback

People are more likely to feel energized and motivated when they receive feedback on their work. Feedback helps employees gain a better understanding of what they're doing well and what areas they need to improve in, which can be beneficial both for you as an employee and your company.

Designate a workspace

There is a certain section of your home that will be designated for your home office and will not be used for anything but work. To help differentiate personal and work life, don’t eat in your office, watch videos, or sleep. Try to find a quiet place with enough space where you can focus on work.

Use time management techniques

Since you don’t have more than 24 hours in the day, it is important to be productive and eliminate time wasters. Experiment with your work intervals and breaks to find a strategy that works for you.

?Make time for breaks

A healthy break is crucial regardless of where you are. A break gives your mind and body a rest from doing the same thing for a long time. You may feel unfocused if you haven't had any breaks or if you've only done that one task for a long time.

Set daily and weekly goals?

Planning work goals and tracking your progress throughout the week can improve productivity. By setting deadlines for yourself, you may be more inclined to stay focused on your work. Use apps like Trello to either work on projects in person or remotely, track progress, and plan team projects.

?Stay productive by changing your eating habits

Nutritious food fuels the body and brain, ensuring that you stay sharp and efficient throughout the day. Avoid protein-deficient meals or those that are carbohydrate-heavy; instead, opt for balanced and protein-rich meals. Also make sure to stay hydrated by parking water near your desk or taking regular breaks—drink plenty of watermelon, cucumber, or berries as a way of soothing your thirst.

Although remote work gained more recognition majorly as a coping mechanism during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly accepted worldwide. Many organizations have asked their employees to work from home indefinitely and created a remote environment for deliverables. Even though remote teams can be more productive , it is worth monitoring how you approach work to ensure the maximum business outcome. You must not let your productivity and performance suffer when you work remotely. Instead, use this opportunity to prove to be an indispensable asset for your organization both on-site and remotely.

References

The Training Industry- https://trainingindustry.com/articles/measurement-and-analytics/6-tips-to-measure-the-productivity-of-your-remote-employees/

Business 2 Community- https://www.business2community.com/strategy/11-time-management-strategies-for-remote-workers-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-02423970 ?

Time Doctor- https://www.timedoctor.com/blog/remote-work-productivity/ ?