Remote working can be a great way to have more flexibility in the work schedule. However, it can be challenging to stay productive if you're not used to it.

Some people thrive in collaborative environments and like the structure of a 9-to-5 desk job, while others prefer flexibility and find that working from home allows them to be more productive.

For some people, it is hard to stay productive when they're away from their coworkers and organized office space.

Employees can learn certain traits and skills to remain productive and engaged in remote work. Here are five tips that can help employees become a successful remote worker:

1. Set-Up a Workplace That Suits You

It can be easy to let things get out of hand when you have the freedom to work from anywhere in your home. There is no real "office" beyond wherever you happen to set up your laptop that can be problematic when it comes to staying productive.

Setting up a space in your home for work ensures that you treat your workday as a distinct portion of the day and not just another task you squeeze in between Netflix sessions.

Select a location in the house with limited access to other people. Make sure it's somewhere that's conducive for getting things done but is also separate from non-work activities. Personalize it to your likings. Have the right equipment, including a computer, high-speed Internet, and other supplies that one would need for remote working.

2. Maintain Regular Work Hours

Digital nomadism is often confused with remote work. Remote work, unlike digital nomadism, entails working on a set schedule.

According to TalentLMS's data, 60% of remote workers work set hours, which implies they must log in and be online at specific times.

Having clear boundaries for when to work and when to call it a day can help remote employees maintain a work-life balance.

Remote workers can use automatic time monitoring tools to ensure that they are on track with their schedules. Remote workers can use these tools to determine when they're most productive and slow. They can take advantage of this information by organizing their work around their most productive hours.

3. Schedule Breaks

Working from home can be challenging since it is too easy to lose sight of time. Taking breaks is even more essential now, given the current scenario. Being glued to screens all day can be tiresome. According to a study conducted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, small breaks can help employees concentrate and focus better. On the other hand, a lack of downtimes might impede productivity.

Effective time management allows employees to recapture time in their schedules—and sanity in their workdays. Make a conscious effort to incorporate breaks into your work plan. If required, add them to the calendar to block out the time.

Make sure your break is unrelated to your work; checking your phone or doing housework are not considered breaks. They are dubbed as distractions by studies since they do not add anything to productivity or energy.

Taking a stroll in nature, talking with a friend, or simply playing with a pet can all help to lift your spirits and give you more energy.

When you are on a deadline, and it is hard to leave your desk, take meaningful breaks to keep your spirits up. Hermis has fun activities that are collaborative, interesting, adrenaline-pumping. There is a wide range of activities on Hermis that doesn’t demand much time and can act as a valuable-instant break from work.

4. Communicate & Socialize

In remote work, loneliness, disconnect, and isolation are too frequent. The sense of camaraderie that prevails in on-site employment is difficult to replicate in remote work. Some companies have virtual team messaging and conferencing apps to keep their employees connected.

Remote workers need to figure out how much interaction they need to feel connected and engaged. Set up regular catch-up calls with coworkers, and use instant chat and social platforms to engage with their team members.

When you're not in the same office as your boss or coworkers, you'll need to step up your communication game. For this, you need to get a grasp of communication apps. Use email, phone conversations, video conferences, online chat, and any other methods you have available to ensure that you and your team members are successfully communicating and that your manager is aware of your priorities.

Remote workers can use the fun activities on Hermis to add a fun element to their team interactions, to make it meaningful and engaging.

5. Set Work-Life Boundaries

Working from home makes it harder to unplug because your office is at arm's length and communication lines are always open. Remote workers are often tempted to check their work emails, client messages, work updates at odd hours, compromising their work-life balance.

To avoid this, remote workers need to have a fixed work routine. They need to build a habit of saying "no" to work beyond work hours to preserve their work-life balance. Turning off the laptop after work, disabling work notifications, and establishing work hours can help remote workers to disconnect from the work.

When one realizes that working outside of their regular working hours is impossible, they will naturally resist the impulse to do it in the first place.

Conclusion

While the transition from office worker to remote worker may seem daunting, it is doable with a bit of planning and self-discipline. By following these five tips for successful remote work, you can set yourself up for a productive remote work experience.

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