Whether working remotely is new to you or not, we can all agree it requires a high level of self-discipline and accountability. Without the traditional office environment, including in-person interaction and direct supervision from your boss, it's important to establish effective strategies to stay on track, meet your goals and ultimately thrive in a remote setting. In this blog post, we highlight the ways in which we have personally found success in working remotely, plus a spotlight on the latest remote work trend called "Body Doubling".
Set Goals and Deadlines: Establish clear, measurable goals for your work and break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. Set deadlines for each task to create a sense of urgency and maintain a structured workflow.
Create a Routine: Establishing a daily routine can help you maintain consistency and structure in your remote work. This includes scheduling regular breaks for yourself (lunch, daily exercise, self-care, etc.) Don't be afraid to block it off your calendar so you are truly held accountable.
Design a Dedicated Workspace: Create a designated workspace within your home where you can focus solely on work. This helps separate your professional and personal life, signaling to your brain that it's time to be productive. It's important to make sure your workspace is comfortable, organized, and inspiring! Check out OOO-Marketing "Desktop" blog posts where our team shares inspo for your workspace that maximizes your productivity without sacrificing your style.
Find an Accountability Partner: Turn to a colleague to share your goals, deadlines, and progress with. Regularly check in to hold each other accountable. Not only does this help keep you on track, but is helpful in boosting motivation.
If are unable to tap into a colleague as your accountability partner, consider "Body Doubling" - the new technique trending among remote workers to help people improve their focus and productivity. According to this recent Work/Life article, Body Doubling is the "means of doing a task in the presence of another person". Remote workers are applying the technique virtually via live streams where they prop their phones up and record themselves working from home. Instead of engaging with the audience, they work normally as if their phone wasn’t there. The idea of having company helps act as an accountability partner.
Working remotely demands a proactive approach to accountability. Remember, it's ultimately about finding what strategies work best for you and adapting them to your unique needs.