A Holiday Recipe for Success
Working remotely offers many advantages for those that have jobs that can be done in that manner. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection, right? Well, not so fast. Additional ingredients are required to make it an excellent experience for you and your employer. Like our favorite holiday treats, leaving out an ingredient or mis-measuring can be a recipe for disaster.
Here’s ALTA IT’s holiday recipe for working remotely:
Discipline – We have all heard about it in one form or another, and when it comes to working remotely and having a work-life balance, it’s crucial. I’m not talking about the drill sergeant type of discipline, but the kind that will offer consistency to preserve your sanity and overall well-being. Discipline can take many forms. For example, keeping the same work schedule and then blocking off your calendar for a lunch break daily is one form. Having a consistent morning routine is very helpful in getting your mind around work as well. Also, don’t be too hard on yourself. Give yourself plenty of room for mistakes because they are going to happen. Just make sure you learn from them.
Schedule – This is equally essential, and much of your schedule is entirely within your control. The obvious ones are the times you get up in the morning and when you go to bed. From there, see what else you can control, like your email; when you check it and when you respond can be a major headache and can cause a lot of stress. I am a big fan of David Allen’s suggestion from his book “Getting Things Done”, following the 2 minute rule: “If you can do an action in two minutes or less, tackle it at the moment — and don’t delay.” Be committed to logging in and logging off your computer. A manager of mine recently shared with me that he even puts his laptop away in his work bag just like he would when he leaves the office, so he’s not as tempted to hop back on and can focus on time with his family.
Communication – Just communicating well can relieve tremendous amounts of your stress. Communicate with your manager and team about the hours you are working, priorities, et. And if your job requires you to be available in case of an emergency, be clear about what constitutes an emergency. Let the team know when you will be out for appointments and when you will be late to start. One of the great things about remote work is some flexibility with time. It’s always better to over-communicate than to not communicate at all. Use all the tools available for communication, including Phone, Email, and any messenger service your organization offers.
Dedicated workspace – Having a space that is just for work is another must have ingredient. Not everyone has a dedicated home office but having a separate desk and chair you can work from is an absolute must. Most employers will send you all the computer equipment at their expense and if they offer an additional monitor, be sure to take them up on it. A space where you can set up, sit down, and focus is an ingredient you can’t miss.
Trust – This is the final, but certainly not least important ingredient to working remotely. Trust yourself, your team, and your manager. The quality of work that you perform from home will only increase the trust that your coworkers and managers have in you. You must also trust that any collaborative work is being accomplished. If you are unsure, ask questions, up your frequency of communication, and always be careful to not to rush to judgement.
Enjoy these upcoming holidays and find your perfect mix of these ingredients to enjoy them.