Joan Mutinda

Incredible Ways to Be More Productive When Working Remotely Working remotely is becoming more and more popular. But, it cannot be easy to stay productive when you don't have anyone around to keep you focused. This article will provide ways that remote workers can optimize their work environment to get the most out of their time away from traditional office settings. By working remotely, it's easy to feel disconnected from work when you're not physically there with everyone else. The tips below can help mitigate that feeling of isolation and keep you on task throughout the day, so you don't find yourself wasting time doing other things instead. Firstly, make sure you have a comfortable and ergonomic desk. A good chair will also help so that your posture won't get uncomfortable after sitting for long periods. Also, invest in a laptop stand or an external monitor if possible. This way, you can look directly at the screen while typing, which helps prevent neck strain. Other Productivity Tips When Working Remotely - Set your workspace up for optimal productivity before starting any work project (e.g., organize space, pick good lighting). - Keep a to-do list of tasks that need completing. - Work in blocks with a timer for 20 minutes and then take an eight-minute break (this is called the Pomodoro technique).  - Make sure you have all your work tools at hand, so they're always there when needed--you don't want to be wasting time looking for what you need! - Keep a schedule and try not to push yourself too hard or go on any long breaks without giving yourself some downtime first. - Have good posture, either sitting up straight while working or standing up; if it's difficult to stand one day, try another position instead of hunching over your desk. You will feel better physically as well as mentally after this.  - Turn off notifications for a while and try to work without any distractions. You'll feel less tempted to glance at your phone or computer during this time. - Keep up with what you're doing by keeping an eye on the clock, so it doesn't take as long in the end, but still don't rush through anything because that will lead to mistakes! - Remember: being productive is about quality, not quantity-this means taking care of one thing carefully rather than jumping from task to task quickly. - Take breaks when you need them; if things get overwhelming, then do something else for a little bit until you come back refreshed and ready to tackle whatever's next (it can be helpful to develop some hobbies outside of work to have something else you can do!)  - Keep a list of what needs done, divided up by the time it'll take. This way, when you're working, your mind will be on one task at a time and not jump around as much-plus, if things get really busy, then go back to that list for some help! When possible, avoid multitasking (or ensure that it's high quality) because this leads to miscommunication or unfinished tasks instead of focusing on getting everything done before starting anything new. - Get into office hours with coworkers so you are in sync about how things should be handled remotely; set expectations together and ask questions if there is any confusion about certain processes. Remember that there are many ways to be productive, so find what works for you and give you the best flow. - Got an email? Respond to it from your phone or tablet--this way, emails can't pile up on your desktop! - Keep track of whether things are being done according to plan with some tool, so that progress doesn't seem like it's not happening even if tasks take longer than expected. - Make sure everyone has their dedicated workspace; this will allow them to move around as needed while they're working remotely. It'll also keep projects more organized because each person won't have access to all files at once when they need something else to do their job. - Take care of what kind of devices people use for remote work: sometimes certain features (such as tracking customer support issues) need specific types like laptops versus smart-phones. But also, not everyone may prefer using computers all day either-whether because they don't like them, or they need to be outside, for example. - Find a good balance between work and relaxation. - Set boundaries on how much time you're going to spend in the day both with yourself (by setting personal goals) and others (by organizing meetings). In this case, everyone must work out their expectations, so there aren't any conflicts later on. - Be mindful of your posture throughout the day: take regular breaks from sitting down by stretching or taking short walks around the office. These will help reduce stress levels and keep the blood flowing freely through your body all day long. - Make sure that people have enough access points for internet connectivity and charging stations nearby; this way, people can work without fear of missing important messages or being distracted by their phone. - Create a rewards system for yourself to keep you motivated and engaged on the project at hand; this could be rewarding yourself with time off from your desk after completing an assignment or having a small treat every day when you get five things done in one sitting. - When possible, find ways to do less research to save steps and increase productivity: using Google Drive's offline mode will allow all documents that are saved locally on my computer (or any other device) to sync up once internet access is available again-this also saves battery life! - If there isn't enough natural light coming into the office space, invest in a desk lamp with an adjustable head that can be aimed at your project. - When you're feeling distracted, get up and stretch for just ten seconds to help clear the mind--a short walk around the room is also helpful if there are no other options available. - Create lists of what needs to be done in order of priority: this will make it easier when prioritizing tasks from day to day or week to week so you don't waste time on things that may not need as much attention; for example, create a list of daily chores and always start with the most important one first! - Get into a routine by going through different parts of your schedule each morning before starting work--this way, everything feels like second nature and is easy to do. - Schedule time in advance for breaks: you must take regular breaks throughout the day, but when working remotely, this can be a challenge if there isn't a set schedule--plan these times into your workday, so they don't go overlooked! - Change up where and how often you work from home or your office space; try taking some meetings at local coffee shops with coworkers or going on an adventure together instead of always meeting inside four walls. - Be mindful about what else might be happening outside of work during your hours--for example, are there any birthday parties planned for kids? If not, make sure to adjust bedtimes accordingly, so things like sleep deprivation are minimized as much as possible. Lastly, you may require a remote talent. There are several platforms with talented freelancers like Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour. You can try free and legit platforms like Hubstaff talent, or LinkedIn to directly obtain skilled freelancers worldwide without paying any fees or markups. This platform's goal is to connect people who are passionate about their work with those who need it done. Final thoughts: Remote workers are one of the fastest-growing sectors in today's workforce. But, this trend is not without its pitfalls. It can be not easy to stay focused when you don't have a colleague around to keep you on task or give feedback about your work. That said, it is possible for those who work remotely to optimize their environment to make the most out of their time away from traditional office settings and still get things done effectively by following these tips.