Finding the perfect work from home job is not as easy as you think.
With pajamas replacing business casual life, the refrigerator now within walking distance, and Netflix marathons streaming on the TV, working remotely from home can seem like a dream come true.
Stay-at-home and stay-at-home orders have changed the work culture of many offices, both large and small. For some, working remotely is the ideal option for maximum efficiency. But for most of those who make the switch to a temporary home office, you'll likely find that it's a more difficult adjustment than you expected.
You've probably read a ton of advice about working remotely. 10 tips for working from home! Remote work 101! All of these posts were likely filled with very important and important advice, but in reality, successfully transitioning from an office environment to a home office is a series of experiments to find out what works best for you…
Just as our own employees have discovered over the years.
Remote work tips from full-time remote employees of a fully remote business.
From day one, FeedBlitz has been a fully remote company with employees across the country communicating through online portals from different time zones. Many have switched to remote positions from a regular office.
While they all had time to find their remote successes through trial and error, we know that you won't necessarily have enough time to find your own job based on the quirks of the house. So, we asked some of our department heads to find out their best tips or tricks for working remotely:
James, Customer Service Manager, 3.5 years of remote experience: Take breaks! People think they need to always be super focused and super productive because they work from home. I definitely did when I first switched. But seriously, take short breaks throughout the day, just like you would in a regular office. Not only does it improve your concentration, but it is also very beneficial for productivity.
Heather, Director, 7.5 years of remote experience: Set clear expectations and boundaries with your teammates And with other people in your home (your spouse, roommates, kids, whoever) about when you need to be left alone and when you have a little more flexibility to get distracted. And, if possible, try to keep this time fairly constant. It will be hard at first, but pretty soon you will be surprised: everyone in your house or apartment will learn to independently guess where everything is. (You're not the only one who knows where they left the remote!)
Also don't forget to try get some fresh air at least once a day. There's more to life than just the workplace, and a little sunshine can be a good reminder!
Jenny, content manager, remote experience 4.5 years: When I need to really concentrate or develop first round drafts, disable all notifications and notify the team I go to my cave, it helps me stay focused. In the office, it's easy to put up a sign or sneak off to a quiet corner where you won't be disturbed, but on the internet… no one can see you, and it's weird and confusing when people disappear from chat channels without saying a word.
Phil, Founder and CEO, 15+ years of remote experience: Of course, set expectations and respect boundaries – which can be difficult if you're WFH with kids! But I also believe in arrangement of work space and it's ideal to have a door you can close (plus tax deductions from your home office might suddenly be possible). Home offices also have poor ergonomics: cramped desks, chairs not designed for the use you currently use them for, monitors that strain your eyes, poor lighting, etc.
If you plan to work a lot remotely, especially if you have (or have suddenly developed) back and neck problems, I cannot overemphasize the importance of a good quality adjustable office chair. While the Herman Miller Aeron may be out of your budget (but it's worth it if you can), buy a decent chair (and see if your employer will let you pay for it; if not, it may still be deductible from your deductible) and a good desk of the right height.
The most important tip: find what works best for you.
There are hundreds of different systems, combinations and possibilities for creating a remote work environment. What works for one person or company will not necessarily work for another. I hope these tips help you understand what may and may not work for you.
Have you discovered random and unique ways to remote? We'd love to hear about them – We are constantly experimenting with new systems and tips.
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