With or without the pandemic, working remotely is here to stay. These days, it’s common for you to find companies offering you opportunities to work at home for a more flexible arrangement. While working remotely has its advantages like saving you commute money, it may be accompanied by challenges that may hinder your progress if not dealt with.

1. Being Productive

Finding the motivation for work without the company of your colleagues can be challenging. It’s easy to find yourself treating your home as a place to relax instead of your remote workplace. Taking 5-minute breaks after around 30 minutes of work can help you remain energised and boost your productivity.

If you are consistently unproductive working at home when unsupervised, you may even lose your job. You might need to search for a new job, having also lost your income source, which could lead to a financial crisis. In times like this taking up a loan from an agency like My Canada Payday can help you alleviate your financial crisis.

2. Finding a Good Work-life Balance

Many managers fear that remote employees won’t work as effectively without personal control. However, in reality, as a remote worker, you may find yourself overworking because of forgetting to take breaks or stop working when your work period is up. Sometimes you’ll find yourself being drawn back to your laptop after your working hours to read an email or do a small task only to find yourself working through the night.

Not taking time at the end of the day to rest and re-energize away from work can lead to burnout. Try setting reminders to take productive breaks, turning off work notifications after hours, and scheduling other activities like the gym, shopping, or walking around so that you have something to do when you’re not working. Having effective work-life balance tips will help you rest and boost your workday vitality.

3. Feeling Isolated Due to a Lack of Social Interaction

If you are a remote worker, you probably work at home all alone without any company. Working at home alone can help you concentrate undisturbed, however, not socializing with others can leave you anxious and depressed diminishing the quality of your work. Even remote workers need social interaction with their colleagues to foster a sense of community for a fulfilling work experience.

Sharing your work experiences with your colleagues can relieve your stress and offer you emotional support and encouragement. You could set up a virtual coffee break with a colleague to chat about work and personal topics just as you would during an office coffee break.

4. Distractions

While working from home, you can be distracted by friends and family who might assume that your remote work situation makes you more available to them. Consider setting rules for your family and friends that dictate when and how they should engage you during your workday.  Distractions like your phone, social media, and moving around to get your work equipment can sidetrack you from your work. Set up a workspace in a noise-free environment where you have your work-related materials and essentials so you don’t keep getting up more than you have to. You may opt to go to a quiet cafe if your home is not conducive to work.

Endnote

While remote work brings you many benefits it can be a challenge if you don’t maintain a work-life balance to be productive. It’s important that you prioritize your mental health and be disciplined with your schedule. Always keep yourself motivated just like you would with an office job to grow in your remote career.

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