Flexible distance based employment strategies are currently the new normal for a good chunk of today’s working world. Indeed, May of this year has seen around 72% of workers being employed through distance based employment, with many companies making it clear that they intend to allow for remote work to slowly make its way as the default mode of employment within their respective business models. Working from allows them to literally conduct required tasks and projects as soon as they leap out of bed, save hours upon hours of time they’d otherwise spend commuting, and generally not have to deal with overbearing micromanagement processes common within overly traditional work models (this includes colleagues breathing over their shoulders constantly as well).
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Unfortunately, it’s been well learnt from experience that the reality of work from home strategies aren’t always the picture perfect situation that they have been dreaming of. While some employees take to such strategies like ducks to water, others struggle to deal with the drastic and discomfiting change in the environment it represents. And when employees struggle, their levels of productivity can suffer equally and the company’s overall processes can be ultimately affected negatively. Even in the situation where employees have been engaged in WFH strategies for several months at a time, it might still feel like they personally need to continuously adapt to their environment, even when that environment is within the relative comfort of their own home; indeed, even at home, there are always things that don’t run smoothly, especially when you have responsibilities piling up on your plate. Working from home is indeed the more flexible model in the sufficient management of one’s working life; however, there are also challenges that must be faced and overcome. The following show some of these common challenges that often arise while working from home, as well as some simple solutions in order to overcome them:
- Wake up Earlier to Motivate Yourself
When working from home, motivation and health are key aspects to a mentally and physically stable and productive WFH experience. At the very least, start motivating yourself to get out of bed at earlier hours while starting your work according to the schedule stated by your office. Try starting earlier even, for the very simple reason that you can! Take this opportunity to seize the fact that your office is right next to your pillow; this means no driving to work in a congestion of vehicular chaos: indeed, you have the ability to get to work earlier than everyone else, which also means you will probably be finishing your work earlier as well!
- Minimize Distractions of All Forms
In addition, you also need to create a space that serves to minimize the possibility of exacerbating temptations such as wanting to watch TV, order food or even doing your laundry! Indeed, even otherwise productive activities can seem like an excuse to engage in when you have all sorts of fun tasks to complete in front of your spreadsheets. Don’t make the mistake of either doing your work right next to the luxury of a flat screen TV, nor disservice yourself by saying that “well, I might as well wash the dishes instead of play video games, that way I can be productive”. Indeed, in both cases, you will be shirking your responsibilities to your job. Therefore, make your “work nest” in a place away from both negative and “positive” distractions.
Furthermore, make sure this “nest” of yours is situated away from noisy family members, if they live with you. You can choose one of the emptier rooms in your house, which will allow you to sufficiently empty your mind (then fill it up with Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint Presentations!). Don’t forget; make sure the work area is clean, comfortable, and quiet.
- Miscommunication
Miscommunication is a common problem remote workers experience, and for obvious reasons. Messages and emails are rarely conveyed with the same oomph and clarity as they are when they are explained within a face to face setting. This is especially the case when you’re trying to educate others about a certain technical or procedural topic in regards to a project. The solution: Say everything clearly and unequivocally. Avoid sentences that can be interpreted differently or commands that are not clear. It is better to get straight to the point without using ambiguous language.
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- Loneliness
If you are used to working within an office based setting and meeting most of your friends via work, then remote employment can be tough, as you might as well get used to conversing through the buzz of a zoom screen or a chat interface. However, it’s natural that this will only make you feel lonely. The solution: Keep in regular contact with your coworkers in order to discuss things other than work. Engage in fun activities, and don’t feel any compunctions to give your friends or family a call during lunch breaks.
- Create & Follow a Steady Schedule
It is important to realize that remote workers are given a great opportunity to finish their work where they started it. This means, if applied properly, remote workers can, as soon as they sit down and start work, not leave that position and finish their tasks in a direct and timely manner, not having to waste time commuting or walking to sections of the office. Everything they need is in front of them, essentially. However, in practice, the situation can be entirely different. This is due to the fact that it is easy to break a stalwart schedule when your bed, for example, is situated right in front of you. Indeed, there are a bevy of distractions you will have to deal with. The only way to confront these many potential disruptions is to sit down and draw up a detailed schedule. Know what you have to be doing at any time of the day; do not meander and make up responsibilities as you go, even if this entails doing work. Instead, condense all these scattered tasks and line them up throughout the day in order of importance: nosedive against the more pressing matters during the start of your day, then take your break and start finishing any pending tasks during the middle of the day, and finally you can start projects that are due further in the week during the end of the day: this is one among many scheduling strategies that can be used.
- Health Problems
Health problems can certainly arise if you are naturally incompatible with your new employment settings and do nothing to temper this fact. A very natural reason for this is the lack of exercise implicit with remote work strategies, as your fridge (with all the nasty stuff within it, in particular) is only a couple footsteps away from your “office”. Also, sitting within one place for extended periods of time is bad enough in the office (the actual office, not the analogous one mentioned above): with remote work strategies, you don’t even have to travel to and fro from your home and your office. Indeed, a sedentary work plan as well as (if applicable) your personal emotional problems, might lead to unfortunate health issues. The solution: Simply put, take good care of yourself. Always take the time to stay active and keep your body fit. Make an exercise routine every morning or evening, stretch at rest, and pay attention to the intake of nutritious foods that you consume. Don’t forget to drink lots of water and sunbathe in the morning (a nice addition, in my opinion).
