Amidst dozens of tricks for efficient and productive remote work, which ones are the most satisfying from a worker’s point of view?
3 Tips for satisfying remote work
There’s an obsession with productivity going around. From multinational corporations to small business owners, interest in the effects of remote working on efficiency is up. The data on the relationship between productivity and working from home is mixed, but one thing’s for certain: there’s little focus on how to make remote work satisfying.
Let’s try and change that. Here’s some tips to capture that feeling of contentment after a day of hard work.
Set the boundaries you can afford between work and yourself
There are two types of boundaries you can set.
- Physical boundaries: creating a dedicated work space in your home where work gets done and — more importantly — it’s the only space work gets done.
- Time boundaries: carving out time in a day when work gets done, i.e. a schedule.
Both of these boundaries have been shown to help workers “switch off” and lower stress and exhaustion¹. Creating these boundaries also develops a sense of urgency and focus that helps you do the best you can. Unfortunately, you may not be able to afford creating all the boundaries you want.
An ideal workspace is free from distractions. An ideal work schedule depends on complete autonomy to dictate your terms. Neither is guaranteed. So what you can do is set the boundaries you can afford.
Your workspace can be as simple as the coffee table you prop up your laptop on. If you ever want a break, all you have to do is walk away from the coffee table and — poof! — you’re no longer in work mode.
A schedule can follow your team or leader’s expectations after you’ve communicated your preferences clearly. Start the conversation on what works for you and hear what they have to say.
You can also use tools to help create boundaries.
- Pomodoro Timer: A very popular technique of working with full focus for 25 minutes, and then taking a break. Here’s an online timer that I use.
- Freedom: An app that blocks off distractions to help create a space where you only do work.
Know how you work and shape your schedule to it
The best words you can read about knowing how you work are found in Managing Yourself² by the legendary management theorist Peter F. Drucker. Drucker takes the reader on a journey of discovering how they work, learn, and navigate life with their values.
He notes that people are either readers (absorb information better when read) or listeners (understands better when spoken to) when it comes to performance. He warns,
“Do not try to change yourself — you are unlikely to succeed. Work to improve the way you perform”
And this relates strongly with remote work. If you were used to learning information by listening to people in the room, make it clear that written reports are not the best alternative. Maybe short synchronous meetings or sending voice messages work better for you. The key is to communicate this preference and have your schedule changed to fit you, rather than the other way around.
Getting to work in the way that you feel most comfortable leads to a more satisfying day. Companies are still experimenting with various communication styles³, so getting your voice heard will help create a varied experience for work.
Keep the big picture in mind and in sight
What matters to you the most? Is it your family? friends? a certain career goal, or something entirely else? Take some time to learn the answer to this question and have a reminder of it at your workspace. It could be a photograph or a letter you wrote to yourself. The key is to have something to glance back at whenever you need to remember why you’re working. Knowing that would help start and end your working day with the overarching goal always in focus.
Sources
[2] http://www.halftimesa.co.za/pdfs/Peter%20Drucker%20-%20Managing%20Oneself.pdf
[3] https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2020/04/10/communication-tips-for-remote-work-during-covid-19/
