Survival Guide for Working Remotely
I’ve written before about the fact that I work remotely, from my home. A lot of times I get comments ranging from “that must be perfect!” to “so, how much do you actually work,” from friends and family members. I’ve gotten used to them and have my standard responses.
Lately, however, the conversations have begun to shift. As more and more employers are realizing the benefits of working with the right people, rather than those that happen to be in their direct vicinity, the opportunities for remote work have increased dramatically.
Before I go forward, I want to be sure I’m clear in recognizing that not every industry or career path may have available remote opportunities. Certain times, face to face, in-person interactions can simply not be avoided. Sometimes though, a balance of at-home and in the office, or fully at home, is doable, maybe even preferable!
Onto my second preface — I titled this article “survival guide.” For those just jumping into the land of working remotely, or those who watch from the outside wistfully, this might sound a little dramatic. But, just like working in an office environment, working from home does present its own set of challenges. Whether that’s self-pacing, communicating with team members, managing children or something else, it isn’t a prescription for multi-tasking between home-life and work-life. Finding a way to be efficient and useful, while contributing to your team is more important than ever when you’re not face to face.
Having said that, let’s move on. Check out the following tips for surviving — and succeeding — in a remote working environment.
1. Get Serious
Working from home and “get rich quick” schemes should be as far apart on the spectrum as possible. While many in the office might wonder what really does go on in a remote worker’s home or office space, that doesn’t mean it’s a ticket to do whatever you want. If anything, working remotely — successfully — requires some serious commitment. It’s not worth jumping in if you’re not willing to go there.
2. Designate a Space
I’ll admit, I do usually work from my kitchen, but, at the end of the day, my gear goes back to my office. Over time, my kitchen island has become a part of my routine, but, it was more out of necessity than because it was ideal. Why? Because separating things that need done at the home — like dishes — couldn’t take priority over work needs. Also, because when it was time to unwind, it’s easier to think about work in the space you work.
If possible, find a spot that you do work in, where you’re able to focus and where you’re able to be productive. If you’re surrounded by distractions, whether willingly or not, you’re going to spend more time thinking — or working — on them then if you can put them out of your head.
Wherever you do work, make sure your computer, notebooks, pens, etc., go away when you’re done, completely out of sight. Maybe that means shutting a door, maybe that means packing up your laptop bag each night, it’s different for everyone. But, being able to separate work from home is a significant difficulty associated with working from home that takes effort to overcome.
3. Understand Expectations
Regardless of whether you’re starting a new position for the first time, or, moving from a current in-office set-up to somewhere remote, expectations, on both sides of the equation are critical. If you need to take lunch at 1 pm every day, make sure your team understands. If your employer expects you to be available at specific time frames, make sure you understand it. Expectations — meeting and understanding them — are critical for success.
4. Remember that Working and Babysitting are Separate
I hear this a lot from other moms — and I’m not criticizing, I have four littles of my own! — but, it’s easy to think that working from home is a great way to save on babysitting costs, after all, you’ll be there.
Maybe you have tasks that you can do with kids in tow, but, coming from a personal level, it’s a challenge. When I need to write something, I need to focus 100%. I can’t do that when someone needs a snack, the television is on or a fight over a toy is taking place. I need help around the house — in the form of a sitter — to make working from home doable. Yes, I have more flexibility to duck out as needed, but, if I were to expect to focus equally on job-related tasks and my kids, I’d be doing both a great disservice. Consider options before assuming working remotely is a chance to have it all.
5. Make a Calendar
Make a Google calendar and share it with your team. If you’re going to be working on the road make it clear. If you’re on mobile, share that too!
Most importantly though, make a schedule for yourself. Maybe your hours will look different (I’m more of a 5:30 am — noon, then 8pm-11pm, sort of person). Maybe they’ll be a standard 9–5. This probably depends on what you’re responsible for and when you need to communicate with team members. But, sticking to a schedule will help you focus, find a routine and find success.
6. Schedule Time in the Office
Getting to know your team is SO important. This is true for overall job satisfaction, but also so that you’re more than an email address or Slack username. Finding ways to bond, having conversations in person and understanding the office environment matters!
If distance is a major hindrance, schedule face to face time online. There are so many tools that simplify this and serve almost as useful a purpose as meeting in person!
7. BE TRANSPARENT
This might piggy-back a bit on the setting a schedule that’s clear for everyone, but transparency can mean many other things as well.
Working remotely means your value might not be assumed — and that’s okay! Set up public folders to share projects you’re working on. Ask questions when you have them instead of making assumptions. Share your Trello board or to-do lists with others. Give project updates as certain milestones are met. Let team members know if you’re falling behind.
Transparency can mean many things, but each of them is important. To me, transparency and trust go hand in hand, and working remotely cannot be a long-term opportunity if one of them is missing.
8. Follow Through
This is a given in or out of the office, but, when you say you’ll do something, do it. Don’t wait until the last minute when the chance of something going wrong could be greater. Stick to what you say — from the hours you’ll be available to when projects will be completed — and you’ll be off to the best possible start.
Remember, it’s a process. I have far from mastered the steps above, and I’ve been working remotely for 6 years. Set expectations, acknowledge limitations and commit to doing the best that you can possibly do, and you’ll be off to the right start.
Any other remote working veterans out there? Sound off. What have you found works for you?
