Were you successful in applying for a remote job? Or are you thinking of applying for one? There are many websites out there where you can apply for remote jobs.
There’s nothing like starting a new job from the comfort of your home. Not having to wake up early every day, not having to worry about the stress of commuting or driving to work, being able to tune out from work whenever, while also having the ability to take a break whenever you like!
It is certainly a different environment than your regular office job, that’s for sure. But you must also remember, it is still a trade-off. There are some things that become easier, while others become more difficult.
For instance, while things might be easier on your own side, now that everything you need is within arms’ reach, connecting with your colleagues and co-workers is much more difficult, since you have little to no means of being able to actually meet up with them face-to-face.
Depending on where you are working as well, your co-workers may end up being from different time zones all across the world, complicating things on your own (and their) schedule.
Remote working isn’t just about plopping down at home and doing work (at least at first), first you will need to adjust to actually working in such an environment, which can be more difficult than it seems.
But not to worry, we’re here to help, and give you tips to set up for success in your new remote job.
Set up a working space.
When you have a job set up inside your own house, set up proper borders for where you will work and where you will not.
This may seem unnecessary at first glance, but initially, when you don’t have a proper grip of your life while working remotely as you slowly adjust, you want to do a lot of things other than work as well.
What an office or another work-related environment does for you is tell your mind to “focus on work” and to only do work. Since your current environment is that of people working, naturally, your mind will be more focused on working as well.
This does not work as effectively back at home, as the borders between leisure time and work are nowhere to be seen.
As a result, this can lead you to distractions when you should really be working, such as watching YouTube or chatting online with friends when you have work to do.
That is why creating borders of where you go to work and where you will go for leisure in your own house is important, as it keeps the environment proper and, at the very least, brings a bit of that “work-only” atmosphere that helps you focus. Set up a workspace, clear any unrelated clutter, and enter this border only if you are going work.
But don’t worry – you can “leave” this border any time to do leisure. It is better that you separate your own work time and leisure time, as so the two don’t overlap and end up distracting you.
Create your own schedule.
On the topic of setting boundaries, proper scheduling is important when working remotely. It is like setting borders for when you should work, and when you shouldn’t. Only, instead of it being a physical space, it is related to time.
Create a schedule of when it is time to work, and when it is time to get off. This way, you can set boundaries on when your mind should be focusing on your job and when you should not worry about things happening in it.
Just because you are working remotely does not mean that you should be available 24/7, and the worst thing that can happen for someone with no
fixed schedule is to constantly check their workspace every minute or hour of the week. It can lead to constant stress as you continuously think about work.
Make that the schedule can be adjusted accordingly, and to leave yourself with enough time for sleep as well as leisure time to do things that you want as well.
Understand that you will be sitting down a lot.
If you thought you sat down for a long time when going to work physically, you will be learning how to be one with your chair now.
While sitting down at an office all day is the norm, they are interrupted occasionally by breaks, socialization, and meetings. Maybe you have something to ask your supervisor who is just in the next room, or maybe it’s lunch break and eating on a proper table is better than at your computer desk.
When the entire office space is gone, the only thing that can make you stand up is… yourself.
You can set reminders for yourself to get up and stretch every hour, as well as take walks every so often. Don’t turn into your own chair.
Connect with your co-workers.
One of the most challenging things to do when doing a remote job is connecting with your fellow co-workers, especially if they are people you
have never met before. When you are behind a screen, like at home, it is much easier to just ignore them until you need them for something.
That attitude is enough to get the job done, but you will not be making any connections with anyone that way. It is difficult enough when you don’t have face-to-face interactions.
One way to solve this is by using the communication tools that your company uses with your co-workers. For instance, Slack is a very common chat tool. You can set up one group chat exclusively for work, and one chat exclusively for “unwinding” and getting to know each other by sharing.
Even if it is not at the same level as face-to-face interaction, you can at least learn a little more about your own co-workers and think a little different of them rather than just people you do your job with.
Some people might think that they don’t need the company of their co-workers, which is valid. But having a good relationship with them, at the very least, will help ensure that you don’t feel isolated from them in the long run.
Teach yourself how to use the tools that your company uses.
Your company will likely be using tools that you may not have used before, in which case, it would do you good to study and research on these things that can help you in your job.
This is especially helpful as you won’t be able to tap on your co-workers’ back to teach you the ropes, as teaching someone online is more difficult than face-to-face. You are also going to be hoping that they will be online as well to assist you.
Wrapping Up
Remote jobs are quite different from your regular office jobs, but they can also be a lifesaver in many ways. You simply need to adjust your lifestyle for one that includes work in your house and to get used to working at home as well. In the end, it will definitely be well worth it, especially since you will have more time for yourself, rather than stressing out over a commute.
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