Professionals around the globe have been forced to rethink the way they do business. Some businesses are opening back up but in smaller, safer numbers, while others are continuing to work from home.
Making the transition from the familiar comforts of working on-site to the relatively new realm of working off-site can be challenging. That’s why we’ve gathered some of the best remote working practices to help you adapt seamlessly to your new work environment.
Get Organized
Now that you are no longer working from the office, it’s important to keep yourself organized. Whether that means color-coding folders on your computer or finding a proper storage space for all of your equipment, being mindful of how you store necessities is vital to your success.
Creating a designated workspace in your home or remote location will help you separate your work environment from your personal space. Even if you don’t have to deal with mountains of paperwork, having a designated desk area will help you keep track of your daily tasks and prepare you for upcoming workloads.
Mobilize Your Operation
Sometimes you need to be more versatile with your operations. Make sure you pack the right gear for the job. A travel-friendly backpack could be all you need for your next work adventure and can make it easier to be on-the-go. Choosing the right tools for the job will help determine just how mobile you can be.
Depending on the work you do, you’ll need to pick which tools are necessary and which ones are small and light enough to travel with you. To maintain social distancing best practices, it may be wise to use what you already have: from your phone to your tablet when on the go and laptop or desktop when you can sit and relax. Don’t be afraid to rethink the ways you do your job. Your clientele will admire your ingenuity and creativity.
Go Digital
Keeping social distancing practices in mind, try moving all of your business assets to a digital platform. With everything conveniently accessible from your phone, tablet, or laptop, all of
your important projects never leave your side. There are plenty of organization apps for these devices to keep you on task.
Online tools can help you with everything from document storage and time management to small business banking and payroll. By considering the benefits of the digital frontier, you can maintain your high level of productivity and the safety of maintaining your social distance.
Maintain Discipline
When you work on your own in the comfort of your home, it can be easy to become complacent. The last thing you want to do is become too relaxed while trying to do your job. Make sure you set a daily routine, preferably one similar to your on-site schedule. Treating your at-home workday as you did your on-site workday will help you be more productive.
Remember that designated space we mentioned to keep you organized? This space can also help you stay focused on your duties. Home distractions such as family members, pets, or the TV can be nearly eliminated by utilizing your nook to its fullest potential. If you’re on the go, consider setting alarms or reminders on your devices or to limit digital distractions like social media. Noise-canceling headphones can also help to keep you on task.
Stay Professional
Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you can “let yourself go.” When you went to your on-site job you probably ensured that you dressed appropriately and took care of your body. These factors are just as important out of the office. By keeping your image professional and clean you’ll make a good impression with colleagues and clients. No one wants to look bad on the next Zoom call.
When you’re working from home it’s probably okay if you aren’t dressed to the nines; however, once you start traveling for work again, you may need to look more professional. Of course, this is all dependent on the nature of your work, but whether you travel or not, it never hurts to update your look while you work remotely.
Keep in Touch
Social distancing doesn’t mean you need to cut yourself off from people entirely. In fact, you may find yourself craving human interaction now more than ever before. That’s why it’s important to follow-up with your customers. Having a regular dialogue with them could be the difference between acquiring a new client or losing out on an opportunity.
The same goes for your co-workers. Maybe you had a few friends at work or you miss
being able to approach someone’s desk for advice. With 90 percent of employees stating that flexible work arrangements improve their morale, get together for a virtual happy hour. You might be surprised by just how much you needed the interaction!
Plan for the Future
While the future of the traditional workplace may be riddled with unknowns, it is still important for you to start thinking about your next steps. Setting attainable goals during uncertain times will help ease some of your internal stress and keep you focused on your desired path.
It’s okay to be flexible when trying to achieve your goals, too. Just remember the core values of your personal mission and where your career endgame lies. By creating a visualization of your career path you’ll be able to track and adapt no matter what unexpected factors come your way.
By utilizing these best practices, your remote work operations will remain organized, active, and positive. Don’t be afraid to adapt these to your own needs as every work situation is different. Stay light on your feet, laser-focused on your goals, and adaptable to the ever-changing world, and you will find yourself successful no matter what comes your way.