How To Remain Productive When Working Remotely

With the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus, known as COVID-19, most offices have switched to remote work, if possible. This transition into the “new normal,” for now, has left many workers who are used to a more traditional office setting scratching their heads. Responding to a pandemic and maintaining normal levels of productivity is no easy feat, especially when you’re working remotely.

With so many unanswered questions, and only a guess as to when operations may begin to return to normal, for many of us, our only option is to adapt to remote work. We asked each of our Addison Group Branch Managers, experts in productivity, for their best tips and tricks for how to remain productive when working remotely. We’ve compiled some of the best responses for you here!

Expert Productivity Tips and Tricks for Working Remotely

• Dedicate one spot for your new “office”- Whether you choose a home office, a kitchen table, the basement, your couch, whatever, make sure that this is a space dedicated to work. This will allow you to focus better and boost your productivity while working remotely.
• Mirror your workspace as best you can– For this, we suggest getting down to even the smallest details, if you can. Set your space up with your phone on the same side of your computer that it is in your office, even if it’s just your cell. Do you usually keep your water bottle to the left of your keyboard? Keep doing that. This helps you keep a dedicated workspace, helping you remain productive while remote.
• “Batch” your to-do list- By working in “bursts,” you can optimize your energy and focus, further increasing your productivity. Our team suggests batching similar items on your to-do list and tackling them all at once, and then taking a short break. Have a lot of calls to make? Make them all at once, then take a walk. When you come back, tackle something new, like your emails. While learning to adjust to your new normal, things can spiral out of control quickly. Batching your tasks will help keep yourself organized and you can easily track your progress and productivity.
• Listen to your body- If you feel like you’re getting burnt out or need a break, please, take one. It is very easy to fall into a routine of overworking while remote. You may feel the need to respond to emails or calls at all times. This does not have to be the case! If you’re a morning person, start your day a bit earlier and get as much work as you can do then, but you don’t need to feel obligated to work all day. If you’re unsure, ask your supervisor. Be sure to confirm what the acceptable business hours are now that you are remote. Being productive while working remotely doesn’t mean that you’re working nonstop.

Looking for more expertise? Contact us now and stay tuned for more tips and tricks!