The COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot of things and this includes how we work. People went from going to work from nine to five to working remotely from the comfort of their homes. However, the remote work industry has changed a lot over the years. When it was first implemented, there were no smartphones, tablets, or computers with high-speed internet to distract people while they are trying to get stuff done. People would stay at their desks all day and only leave when something is finished.
These days, many companies do not require employees to be in the office. People can work from home or even out of coffee shops, and staying productive has become a lot harder because of the internet.
Here are some tips on how to stay productive while working as a remote worker:
Avoid distractions, but If you can’t, play a game of cat and mouse with them.
One of the main problems with working remotely is all the distractions that you can find on the internet. For example, if someone has to look up something quickly and without leaving their current page they could search for it directly in Google and then instantly get distracted by a YouTube video that popped up in the sidebar.
There are sites like Rescue Time that can block digital distractions, but they do not always work. In the end, the best way to stay productive when you really have to look up something quickly is to play a game of cat and mouse with your browser by blocking it so it cannot access certain things. For example, you can use the Chrome plugin Noisli which lets you create background sounds that block distracting audios. It is not perfect, but a little effort here counts in the long run.
Get off the internet when you need to be productive
It seems like a paradox, but sometimes working from the internet is not the best way to work. When someone needs to really buckle down and get things done, they should always disconnect themselves from anything even remotely related to the internet so far the type of work allows this. This could be as easy as turning off their wireless router or putting a cover over their smartphone’s display so it cannot notify them of any notifications. Another way could be to just leave out of the coffee shop and go to a library or somewhere with fewer distractions.
Do not use company computers to check personal emails or social media accounts
When someone works for themselves, there is no one looking over their shoulder; this means they can do whatever they want to do on their computer. However, when someone works for a company they are not allowed to check their personal emails or social media accounts because it wastes company time. People should, therefore, keep any devices that are related to work separate from all other devices so they do not get distracted while trying to get things done.
Do not rush things
For anyone who had ever taken a test in school, they know that when they rush through the test and do not read all of the questions carefully, they will miss out on important information. This is similar to working online. Sometimes people need to slow down and take things one step at a time, especially for jobs like data entry or even programming where small errors can cause big problems.
Take frequent breaks
Working all day without taking breaks is horrible for anyone’s health. Before starting to work, people should always set a timer on their computer for every forty-five minutes so they can take time out of their day to relax and keep themselves from getting exhausted. Sometimes taking quick naps during the day are also a good way to recharge and help people be more productive.
Learn to say no
Working from a distance can be a lot of fun, but sometimes people end up taking on too much work without even realizing it. If someone does not know how or when to turn down tasks, they might find themselves working six days a week for months on end without enjoying life. If someone wants to work remotely and still have a life, they should accept only tasks they truly enjoy and not just take every task that comes their way.
Do what you do best and outsource the rest
When people work online, they need to always be looking for ways to save themselves time so they can focus on other aspects of their business. This means outsourcing as many things as possible to freelancers or other companies. One of the best things to outsource is probably administrative tasks so people can focus on what they do best and not waste their time on menial tasks.
When working online, “time is money”
While it may be true that you get paid the same amount for forty hours of work as you would twenty, working forty hours is not the same as working twenty in many ways. Those who enjoy their work might be able to do it faster than twenty hours, but they will likely have a higher level of stress and tiredness when they are finished. People should always try to save themselves time so they can get the job done with the least amount of effort.
Be accountable for your actions
People who work online always need to be ready to answer for their mistakes, especially if they are working with other people. When someone lets others down by not delivering on time or letting other tasks wait too long, the first person they should apologize to is themselves because it will keep them more determined in the future.
Read and re-read important emails
When someone sends an email, it is possible that they will not get a response for days or even weeks. This is why people should always take their time to make sure everything in the email is correct and give themselves enough time to actually respond. Sometimes this means taking more time than people would like, which is why they should start this process the moment someone sends them an email.
Do not overwork yourself
A healthy body is one of the most important things for people who are working online, especially if they are doing work that requires a lot of energy. People who do not get enough sleep or spend their days focusing on things other than their own health are likely to burn out before their work is finished. No matter how much people enjoy their work, they need to take care of themselves first in order to stay productive.
Staying productive while using the internet as a remote worker can be difficult, but it is not impossible. If someone sets their mind to get things done no one can stop them from completing their goals.
