How to be a successful remote professional

Remote work has become the norm for many professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic, shaping a new type of office environment for organizations worldwide. As a result, business leaders must spend more time ensuring that engagement and activity meet or surpass pre-pandemic levels to achieve their companies’ productivity goals.

Consider implementing these work-from-home tips into your daily routine and that of your team:

Find a workspace free of distractions: Whether it’s an entire room or simply a corner of one, having a designated area is critical to success. This enables you to start your day off free from clutter – and it saves time because you can avoid the morning clean-off of your space prior to starting each workday.

Have a sense of structure: You should emulate many or all of the same routines you successfully integrated in the office. Did you have a morning routine? Replicate it as best you can! This can be a certain time you exercise, setting aside 15 minutes to check emails, or sitting down for your first cup of coffee. No matter what it looks like for you, the most successful remote workers give themselves structure.

Separate yourself from distraction: Doing so will enable you to excel in your remote work environment by ensuring you remain focused. Think to yourself: “Do I really need alerts going off for every single email and text I get?” If the answer is no, set your cellphone on silent. Other common distractions: your children, spouse or a television in the background. Don’t be afraid to kindly remind your family members that just because you are home doesn’t mean you’re always available to talk or socialize.

Communicate, communicate, communicate: The best remote pros understand the importance of communicating clearly with their teams. You can’t just swing by a colleague’s desk to ask a question or pass along a request the way you physically could in the past, so be sure to include all relevant details and context in any communications you send. Above all, ensure you’re intentional and specific with all of your communications.

For a full look at our remote work resources, visit our COVID-19 Insights page.