5 Smart Strategies for the Remote Worker

Working at home is just one of the most important freedoms we have been enjoying from technology. But is it really as simple as media portrays it to be? 

Working at home is definitely more convenient than working outside, but it does need commitment and some smart techniques to work. See more here about the techniques that will help you work from home effectively.

Keep to a consistent schedule.

This is the first thing you need to learn as a home-based professional. You need to set clear rules as to when you should be at your desk working and when you can be somewhere else. Swing shifts aren’t good for anyone, including remote workers. That said, working at home may mean stretching your day or starting it early, depending on timezones involved. 

Set up an area exclusive for work.

In an ideal HearMeFolks remote worker scenario, there won’t only be a dedicated space for work, but also two computers - one official, one personal. It works best for both you and your employer, privacy and security-wise. But of course, we know this isn’t at all realistic. Instead, you can simply have a desk and some peripherals strictly for work. For instance, when your laptop is hooked to your external keyboard and monitor, you should work. If it’s on your lap, then it’s personal time. 

Set rules for family members. 

This is particularly important if you have kids, especially if they are usually home with you or will be home from school while you’re still working. In any case, you have to tell them what they may or may not do. You don’t want your eight-year-old accidentally deleting some files or your teenager closing an unsaved document you were working on while you took a break.

Take fixed breaks.

 Full-time workers often have two 15-minute breaks and a one-hour lunch break every work day. You’ll be needing those breaks too - and in full, not shortened, especially at lunchtime. There are apps that you can use to lock yourself out of your computer for a specific period of time. Or any simple clock or timer will do. If you finished lunch 20 minutes early, do something you enjoy for 20 minutes before going back to work. 

Have a life outside home.

You don’t have to eat out every single day, but you do have to go out every now and then. You have to move your body, inhale some fresh air and get some natural light. Visit your aunt, pick up some fresh veggies, take a jog - anything you have fun doing. This is crucial to your physical and emotional health. To learn more about working from home, click here: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-working-from-home-is_b_12891796.