5 years ago, the thought of being able to work remotely full-time, may have seemed like something of a fantasy. After all, there was a common misconception in place that implied that in order to work effectively, you had to work from a traditional office environment, surrounded by your colleagues.
However, when remote working was initiated as a safety measure during the COVID-19 pandemic, this was proven to be untrue. In fact, “individuals working from home due to the pandemic reported lower stress, higher efficiency and better quality in their work,” with employers noticing similar benefits.
As such, working from home is now considered to be routine, at least part of the time. While this can work wonders for those looking to travel more often or to improve their work-life balance, working effectively and efficiently remains crucial. This means that you need to ensure you’re able to work productively – from wherever you may be in the world!
Photo by Cathryn Lavery on Unsplash
With that in mind, here are some productivity-boosting tips for remote working that you may find useful moving forward.
Use a VPN
What can you do with a vpn? Setting up a VPN (Virtual Private Network), is a great way to ensure that you can access all of the relevant company resources from wherever you may be in the world – without compromising business security and safety while doing so. As such, it means you are able to work productively with the full range of company resources at your fingertips, meaning that you’ll be able to complete tasks on-time and to a high standard.
Use time-management software
Whether you are looking to reduce your workweek, or find it hard to stay on top of deadlines, using time-management software can ensure you are as productive as possible each time you sit behind your desk. For example, you can use these tools to put together a daily schedule, set reminders for upcoming deadlines, or even track how long it takes you to complete a certain task. This way, you will be able to make meaningful changes moving forward.
Start your day with your hardest task
When looking at all of the work you have to do within a given day, many people will opt to leave the hardest or most difficult tasks until last. This is because they mistakenly believe it will improve your focus, as they’ll be settled into their working routine when the time to complete the task rolls around.
However, various studies have found that we are often the most focused in the morning, meaning that the AM is the perfect time to tackle difficult, time-consuming tasks with confidence and ease.
Keep a consistent work schedule
Many of those working remotely are able to do so from anywhere in the world. As such, if you’re currently traveling while working, you aren’t alone – as this is a great way to satisfy your craving for adventure, without having to take your foot off the career ladder. However, when doing so, you should ensure that you follow a consistent work schedule. That is, you should start and finish work at the same time each day, just as you would if you were heading into the office. This helps you to stay on top of your tasks.
Take breaks when you need them
We cannot be productive without taking regular breaks. However, if you are prone to overworking or like to see tasks through to completion without taking a break, the idea of taking several breaks throughout the day may seem inconceivable. Thankfully, as little as five minutes here and there can make a difference. This is because taking a step away from your desk can help you to relax, lowering your stress levels quite considerably. This way, when you sit behind your desk again, you do so with a calm mind. You’ll be able to think rationally, and will work more productively as a result.
According to the experts, you should aim to take a 5-10 minute break every two hours. Remember, you could still use this time productively, even if you aren’t working on a set task. For example, you could prepare a healthy snack, or chat with colleagues, strengthening your relationship with them.
Write out a to-do list
While some people find to-do lists restrictive, preferring to work through their tasks intuitively, many studies have found that they’re actually great productivity-boosters. This is because they provide you with a step-by-step guide to follow throughout the day, making it easier than ever to stay on track and hold yourself accountable.
This is a guest blog. Now and again we decide to share interesting content, not immediately written by us, yet relevant to you.
Yvonne has a vast coaching experience from executives to teams to ambitious business owners.
Through her personal and business coaching programs she has helped dozens grow their businesses while drastically reducing their working hours.
And when Yvonne is not coaching, you can find her indulging in beach walks, and a sparkly glass of champagne.
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