I've worked remotely for years... My tips on how it can work for you too.

At this time, businesses are looking at remote working as a way to prevent COVID-19 spread. This measure shouldn’t create panic, rather a way to embrace doing things a little bit differently.

The Nudge Group are an employer who have always incorporated remote working to offer genuine work/life balance, with all staff currently working from home.

Technology has obviously played a massive part in this shift, with seamless access to systems and databases via the cloud, and meetings being held via Zoom, Google hangout, or video conferencing. The Nudge Group have fully embraced technology; however, we don’t let it own us!

As with any change, the big thing to look for are the parallels, rather than the differences; and making sure your home office is set up similarly as your work office. To be successful working from home, you need self-motivation, accountability, productivity, goals and focus. But overall, there are a few hints to be truly successful working from home.

·        Set expectations at home with your partner, kids, flatmates etc of your working hours, minimising noise and times when you can’t be interrupted.

·        Wake up at your normal office day time. If you usually wake up at 6am and do exercise, do the same on your “work from home day” Follow your same routine even though you’re not going to physical office

·        Get dressed and ready as you normally would. Yes seriously, get out of your PJ’s and active wear and put on your “work face”

·        Make sure your household and family routine are complete by 8am. This may include making kids lunches, getting them off to school, unpack/pack dishwasher, do a load of washing, tidy the house etc. Get rid of any potential distractions before you start work.

·        Have a to-do list and goals ready to attack (best if written the evening before) and create structure for your day.

·        If you need support, guidance or wish to be a part of your normal daily meetings, WIP’s or Scrum’s, dial in and contribute. Don’t cut yourself off from your team/manager/colleagues. It’s not about isolation, it’s working differently.

·        Don’t get into your car for any reason (coffee, breakfast etc) as ultimately this will lead you to being distracted by other “chores” that don’t correspond with work.

·        Don’t let household duties creep into your working hours.

·        Never turn on the TV

·        Give yourself an allocated lunch break, no more than 30 mins

·        Set yourself an end of day time, otherwise this may lead you doing to extended hours and creeping into your family/relaxation time, which ultimately isn’t conducive to a work/life balance

·        Make sure you padlock the fridge and pantry so you don’t constantly get up and snack ?? Discipline!

Working from home or remote working should really be no different from working in the office. You know how your working day is structured, you have clear goals, targets and expectations that need to be met, and it’s about how you can effectively manage your time in the most productive way, to reach the desired outcomes. Working from home may not suit everyone, as you really need to have self-motivation, focus, resilience and determination, however this is temporary, and during times like this, you really need to make it work!

Good luck to all working remotely. Hey, you may even find you’re a lot more productive!