The pandemic situation has revolutionized Work. Now more than ever, you can work anytime and anywhere, provided that you have the right tools and skillset.
There are so many benefits when working remotely, and having a more flexible schedule while being safe is at the top of the list. However, working remotely can also blur our boundaries and can be a huge source of distress.
If you’re having a hard time adjusting to remote work, do not be hard on yourself. It is a huge and difficult transition, and while it might be daunting if you’re a beginner, there are so many benefits once you learn to adjust. The question is: how can we stay motivated, disciplined, productive, and creative during this time, when we’re all so disconnected from each other?
To be successful in working remotely, here are some secrets and tips that worked for us:
1 ) Consistently Communicate and Connect. Communication is necessary in all aspects of life, but it is especially important in remote work. This is because it is hard to feel a sense of connection with the people you work with in an online setting. Here at Ripple, we make sure to have daily sharing of experiences, difficulties and wins, weekly mentorship sessions, work meetings every few weeks, and company-wide quarterly meetings. This way, we all still feel deeply connected and understood despite the distance (most of us haven’t even seen each other yet).
2 ) Have the Necessary Technology and Applications. Invest in your remote work needs such as: a stable WiFi connection, noise-cancelling headphones, Adobe for photo and video editing, and the like. These will make your remote work experience smoother and enjoyable. However, if you still don’t have everything you need while you’re just starting out, don’t be discouraged! There are so many people who are willing to lend you these things temporarily and help you with downloading the necessary applications for you to get your work done.
3 ) Determine the Workspace that Works for You. Most people are comfortable working from home, and if this is the case, you have to communicate your boundaries clearly with the people you share your home with. Talk to them about your working hours, and establish rules that work best for all members of your household so that everyone’s time and space is respected. However, if you are not comfortable working inside your home, find a place that brings out your productivity juices-- it can be in a coffee shop near your apartment, at a coworking space downtown, at the park inside your subdivision, or in your mother’s garden. Working outside your home is also a better way to establish work-home boundaries, but do not forget to be mindful about health and safety protocols.
4 ) Take Scheduled Screen Breaks. Try using the Alarms and Timer application on your phone or laptop, so that you can rest your eyes and stretch for a bit. One good practice to integrate scheduled screen breaks in your work routine is the Pomodoro Method, where you work for 25 minutes straight and take a break for 5 minutes. You can modify this depending on your preference. These breaks are important for both your mental and physical health. Some things you can do while on break are: chores, calling a friend, drinking water, walking around your house, playing with your pets, eating snacks, gardening, or exercising.
5 ) More than Self-Care, You Need Community Care. Self-care is important, of course, that is a given. Most self-care practices we all might have heard of are warm baths, meditation, journaling, making art, jogging, bingeing movies on Netflix, and lighting up scented candles. However, taking care of yourself is difficult and unsustainable if you do not have a strong support system from your community-- your workmates, your family, and your friends.
