COVID-19 has forced many people into a new professional situation: working remotely.

Remote work sounds fun and easy. You simply roll out of bed, make a pot of coffee, fire up your computer and get to work, right? Those with experience know it’s a bit more complicated than that.

If you want to have more highly productive days than wasted days, you should have a specialized set of remote work habits and systems. Below are a few tips on how you can be a successful remote worker.

1) Make Sure Expectations are Always Crystal Clear

Because a lot of remote work involves communication over text, there’s a lot of room for misinterpretation, and even conflict, when it comes to expectations.

Ensuring expectations are crystal clear involves regular and honest communications with your supervisor and coworkers. Even after you’ve gotten initial instructions on a project, continue to look after expectations as you progress, supplying regular updates and getting clarification whenever you have any doubt. Periodically, ask for feedback to ensure you’re exceeding, or at least meeting, expectations. Focusing on clarity gets everyone on the same page and builds trust

2) Have a Dedicated Office Space

When you create an area that is explicitly for your job, it is a great deal simpler to get your work done since you don’t have a lot of distractions. Needless to say, you should be open to changing up your workspace occasionally to keep a fresh perspective.

3) Take Regular Breaks

Devoid of the normal social office rhythms, it’s easy to get locked into a groove and sit in front of your computer for hours are a time. Prioritize taking the occasional break to stretch your legs and your mind. Taking a lot of short breaks might seem counterproductive, and research has shown the average person can only maintain good focus for around 45 minutes at a time.

If you have to set alarms to remind yourself for each break time.

4) Regularly Exercise

A growing body of evidence is showing there are serious physical health impacts to sitting for long periods of time. If you’re house-bound because of coronavirus, you’re also probably dealing with a lot of mental stress.

Along with taking regular breaks, it’s also important to get in the habit of regular strenuous exercise. Even a 20-minute run several times a week can do wonders to combat the physical and mental health impacts of sitting for long periods of time.

5) Use Productivity Tools

Without a supervisor potentially lurking over your shoulder, it is easy to get sucked into distractions or work inefficiently. There are many scheduling, organizing, and productivity tools that can keep you focused and efficient.

If possible, try to find tools with automation features that you can use to multiply your productivity. Try out a number of different tools to figure out which ones get the best results for you.

We Can Help You Find a Remote Work Situation that Works for You

At ZDA, we specialize in connecting people to best-fit job opportunities. If you are currently looking for a remote work situation that suits your personal and professional interests, please contact us today.