With no soul-crushing commute to endure, or managers hanging over your shoulder, remote working is seen as a luxury by many workers. If you’ve been told to work from home, while there are tons of benefits, there are many challenges that you will face along the way. To help you stay productive with your work, here are some of the biggest remote work traps and the strategies you can take to avoid them.
Overworking
If you haven’t established a routine from the start, you may be more likely to work without breaks at home. When your work life and personal life are under the same roof, it can be harder to switch off. No matter what is on the agenda, it’s important that you give yourself regular breaks, and stop working at a reasonable time. While you may think you’re being more productive working straight through, it’s likely that you will lose steam quicker. Getting yourself into a routine and factoring in breaks throughout the working day can give you something to look forward to and help add structure.
Giving In to Distractions
When working remotely, there are tons of distractions around the home that can take your eye off your work. Unlike working in the office where you are confined to your desk, distractions such as the television, online shopping, speaking to your loved ones, or exercise can all play their part in decreasing productivity. While it may be tempting to do other things, it’s important that you remove distractions before they turn into a serious problem. There are several things that you can do, such as hiding electronics out of sight, as well as finding a quiet area in the home that you can use for work.
Ignoring a Sleep Schedule
When working from home, you won’t have to worry about getting to the office at 9am. When your alarm clock goes off, rather than ignoring it to get an extra hour’s sleep, it’s important that you get up and prepare for the day ahead. Creating a sleep schedule will keep your body clock in check and ensure you’re in the right frame of mind to start working. If you struggle with getting enough sleep, your mattress could be to blame. As detailed in EachNight’s post, Memorial Day is a great time to purchase a mattress on a discount.
Working in Your PJs
Unlike when working in an office environment, where you’re expected to dress formally, there are no dress code rules to adhere to at home. If you’re the type of person who loves to lounge around in their pajamas, it’s likely that you won’t be as productive with your time. Instead of staying in your nightwear, putting on a fresh pair of clothes can boost motivation and keep you in control of your workload.
Not Exercising
If you’re working remotely, it’s important that you make regular daily exercise a priority. Being stuck at your desk for hour after hour will do you more harm than good in the long run, so getting up, stretching your legs, and boosting your energy levels is essential. Whether it’s by going for a jog around your area, or working out in your front room, there are tons of health benefits that you can gain from regular exercise. Many remote workers find yoga to be beneficial as it helps to reduce stress levels and keep you calm and collected.
While it can be great to work in an environment that you know inside out, working from home doesn’t come without its obstacles. Your health and wellbeing should be your top concern, so to boost productivity and keep a healthy mindset, make sure to avoid all the traps listed above.
