How to Thrive While Working Remotely

It’s a new but common misconception that working remotely gives you fewer opportunities to shine. We worry that, because we’re not actively turning up to an office five days a week, we’re not seen to be working as hard, or given as much credit for what we do. In reality, remote work allows us to be just as productive (if not more so) than we would be in an office, but it requires us to reevaluate how we work and - most importantly - how we make others aware of our value, talent and charisma. 

For anyone wanting to thrive in their careers while continuing to practice remote or hybrid work, here are our top tips to shine while keeping your freedom to work anywhere. 

Make yourself visible   

Being ‘visible’ at work goes much further than showing your face in the office now and again. Being visible can also mean: 

• Engaging in virtual brainstorming with your colleagues
• Setting up calls to check in with people
• Offering up your expertise
• Giving regular updates about your projects and tasks
• Generally letting people know you’re someone that’s open and approachable.   

Communicate, communicate, communicate 

Similarly, in order to thrive at remote work in the same way that you would in an office, you need to be going the extra mile to communicate with your colleagues and leaders. It sometimes feels easier to have difficult discussions with people in person, and therefore we might just avoid them while working remotely. But fostering a culture of open communication will make it easier to virtually ask for that raise, speak about your mental health and discuss any issues you might be having at work. So get putting in those regular catch-ups where you can discuss what’s on your mind. 

Set rules to work by – and stick to them! 

Remote work is hugely popular because it puts a lot of power and freedom back in the hands of workers. But, on the flip side, it does then become your responsibility to make sure you’re doing your best work and creating a routine that allows you to thrive. Some great remote work rules might be:

• Figuring out what time of day is your most productive and doing the hard tasks then
• Not working from your bed or bedroom 
• Not working in your PJs!
• Putting your camera on where possible to increase your attention 
• Monitor your hours and try not to work over or under your agreed amount 

Adapt your home for remote work 

We’ve all heard the phrase tidy room, tidy mind. Well, in the world of remote work, this takes on a whole new level of importance. You simply won’t be in the right headspace to do your best work if you’re surrounded by last night’s dinner plates or this morning’s laundry load. But, further than that, it helps to treat the room you work in like an office. Invest in a comfortable chair that supports your back as well as a proper desk to sit at. Consider – if you can – working in a room that you don’t sleep or relax in so that you can separate work from rest.  

At Remotify, we specialise in helping both employees and company leaders make the most out of remote work—whether that’s providing you with the tools to seamlessly transition to remote work, or generally keeping your employees in great spirits. Want to find out how we do it? Book a call with a member of our friendly team today!