Taking Care of Business by Working Remotely

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the routines of people globally. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends social distancing to decrease the spread of the virus. Minimizing contact with other people, distancing ourselves by at least six feet, and avoiding large crowds are essential. Working from home has become the safest option for many.

If your daily grind involves a traditional office space, it can be a big adjustment to start working from home. Issues with productivity and communication are common obstacles to overcome while acclimating to remote work. Create the perfect work from home environment with a solid foundation and relevant digital resources.

Following the beat of a morning routine will guide you to your desk. Ditch your pajamas and start your day with something refreshing. Take a morning shower, brew a cup of coffee, or go out for a jog. Find a routine that works for you and stick with it, to get in the right mindset daily.

Structure your day for a healthy work-life balance. Make a schedule with regular hours. Set boundaries for yourself by designating a workspace. If you have a separate laptop for work, set it up in your dedicated office space. Follow your company’s break time policy, and take your breaks to their entirety to recharge. Step away from your workspace when it’s time for a break.

In many situations, communication is key and working from home is no exception to this rule. If you’re working in a shared space, set some ground rules. It’s essential to create an environment where you can be productive. Talk to roommates, family members, and spouses ahead of time so everyone is on the same page. If you’re not the only one working remotely, strategize together so everyone can succeed from the start.

The way you feel working in an office full of people 40 hours a week, may feel very different than working remotely alone. Working remotely may be different than what you’re used to, but it doesn’t have to bring feelings of isolation and loneliness. Especially while social distancing is essential, stay in touch with your colleagues. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your team and see how they’re doing.

Once you’ve got your workspace arranged, there are countless digital resources to enhance your work from home experience- including user friendly communication and file management solutions.

Connect with your team via popular communication apps like Slack, Google Hangouts and Zoom. Slack features a real-time chat, keeping communication streamlined while minimizing excessive email. Google Hangouts is a great option for audio and video meetings. Bonus: Google Hangouts integrates with Slack to simplify your work life. Zoom can accommodate large audio and video conferencing groups, with the option to record your broadcast for future use.

Another essential component of remote work is file management. Whether someone has to view a file, or if they’re going to be collaborating with you on editing or creating content, data must be stored in an accessible way. Google Drive is the classic cloud storage that makes it easy to store, share and collaborate on projects like documents and spreadsheets. A secure alternative to save and share important files is Box. Box can even connect with Office, Slack, and/or Google Apps like Docs and Sheets.

Getting acclimated to your new work life will present challenges but it will also be rewarding. Making changes to adapt your routine will keep you on your toes and you may even pick up a new skill along the way.

This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local sponsor. The views expressed in this post are the author's own.

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