Making Working Remotely a Positive Move is not onerous when you look at the positives and the possibilities. Many people will find that their net earnings escalate due to savings accrued from traveling, lunch bought at work etc. You may find that working remotely becomes permanent. While it was a pleasant novelty at first the challenges of getting work done with the kids around, and maybe even remote schooling, have, for many, outweighed that novelty. Not to mention keeping a steady Internet connection going and getting your points across effectively in a Zoom meeting (and not making dumb mistakes like this one.)
Working remotely presents other challenges as well: a feeling of loneliness, difficulty staying on task, tech troubles with no IT person around to help. What sounded wonderful at the start of the pandemic – I can work in pajamas – just isn’t that great anymore.
However, it does not have to be that way. There are ways to make working remotely a positive experience, and even one you’ll look back on fondly – and maybe even miss – when you do go back to the office. Here are some tips to get that positive experience on track.
Making Working Remotely a Positive Move
Ensure You Have a Real Home Office
Last year we thought working remotely was going to be a very temporary thing. Now we know that is not the case. While working on an old desk in the corner of the kitchen, or on a laptop from the couch is OK in a pinch, it’s not a long-term solution.
A real home office, ideally, would be a dedicated room, in the basement or loft perhaps. And if you do have the convertible space, such a project is worth considering. Even if and when you return to the office the space will still have use, and a dedicated home office is a draw for buyers right now, so should you ever decide to sell your home it will offer a good return on your investment.
If you do not have a dedicated room available, you can still create a dedicated office space. Converting a cupboard, using the space under the stairs and screening off a section of the lounge are all possibilities.
Creating a real office is about more than simply having more room for your stuff. Switching from work to home mode when working remotely is hard but having your own workspace will help a lot.
Making Working Remotely a Positive Move
Stick to a Set Schedule
When working remotely research has shown that people tend to overwork, rather than work less, when making the switch from the office to home. It’s not hard to see why. With no commute, and no boss watching, or coworkers to help set a schedule, it is far too easy to start working as soon as you have grabbed that first cup of coffee and continue doing so until bedtime, just because the work is there (as is your computer)
Don’t do this. It is bad for your mental health, and, to put it in more practical terms, probably giving your employer more than they are paying for. Try, as far as possible, to stick to the same schedule as you have back at the office. This will mean that you still have a life outside your home office and the adjustment period when you do return to work will be easier.
Making Working Remotely a Positive Move
Dress for Success and Watch What You Eat
It is easy to decide to spend your days working in night clothes and without so much as brushing your hair (unless you have a Zoom meeting, but there are filters you can use…) But as those who have worked from home successfully can tell you there is a point to dressing up a little and making yourself presentable.
Since your normal routine is interrupted when you work from home, it can help you feel more at ease to wear something a bit closer to what you’d normally wear at the office.
Keeping a routine helps us maintain a sense of control and degree of normality in times when we are feeling a lack of control, which leads to stress and even anxiety. But what matters more than the actual garments we wear is that they help us feel good. So, while a three-piece business suit might be overkill ‘nice clothes’ rather than the same old sweatsuit, can help a lot.
Speaking of disrupted routines, your ‘head out of the office for lunch’ routine has been disrupted too, and the fridge is awfully close to your office. Overeating – especially if you are also feeling stressed – is easy, but we all know that it’s a bad idea. Stick to the mealtimes you had pre remote days and if you must snack choose healthy options like veggie sticks rather than sweets, cake or crisps.
Making Working Remotely a Positive Move
Look on the Bright Side
There are advantages to working remotely you can enjoy. The lack of commute likely means you are saving money on petrol/commuting fares, and that’s cash you can save for retirement or a rainy day. Cutting out the commute means that you can spend more time with loved ones or on an activity or hobby you enjoy (not on more work though, as we’ve already discussed)
You may also have more flexibility in terms of working hours, so if 9 to 5 never really did suit you, now’s your chance to set working hours that are more in line with your personal preferences. Not everyone is ‘wired’ for a 9 to 5 existence. Research shows that some people do their best work early in the mornings, while some are more creative and productive at night. This is your chance to discover who you are and make the most of the chance to do your very best work. Maybe to relocating to another part of the country, there is no reason to spend exorbitant rents for the sake of being near the office. The opportunities provided by this change are endless, enjoy the experience.
2021: Controlling Your Finances in the Year Ahead.