6 Ways to Survive the Remote Work Life
Working remote has a perceived glamour. Don’t get me wrong - pajamas and afternoon naps are great - but once reality sets in, working from home can be a big, lonely challenge.
With over 4 years under my belt in the remote life, I’ve tried it all different ways. While no one remote work style can suit everyone, I have found some general tried and true best practices through the years that I stand by. All in all, working remote is really all it’s cracked up to be - it’s freeing, you have more control, and it is super efficient to save on commute time. However, if you aren’t disciplined with your work, things can quickly spiral out of control and motivation can hit an all-time low. Here’s what I swear by:
Designate a space to work in. Set aside an area, whether it’s a table or a home office, to keep yourself organized and focused. I break my own rule pretty often by moving around the house with my laptop, but when I want to get something done and get in the zone, or have a quiet place to take a call, the office is where it happens. I’ve spent a lot of time making it a cozy, inviting space that inspires me. It’s a space I like being in and that I associate with working hard.
Don’t expect to get anything done at cafes. They’re great when your wifi goes out, but they’re extremely loud and highly distracting. I love bringing my laptop with me if I’m out and about in case I need to stop and take care of something, but all in all it’s not an ideal place to set up shop.
Time block yourself. The only way I’ve figured out how to get anything done while keeping it all organized. Read my time blocking tricks here.
Socialize and move your body. Stay scheduled with human interaction. In my early days, I’d set up at least one lunch per month with a friend or an old co-worker, even if it felt like I was too busy. There is simply no replacement for getting out and talking to other humans. I also teach barre3 classes which remains my favorite accountability trick for moving my body, stretching out my tight desk job muscles and is too, another great way to socialize. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have a side hustle that earns some extra fun money.
Eat lunch away from your desk. If you’re already at home, working and eating in your office can get pretty depressing after a while. Step away from your work space for lunch or for a short walk to give your eyes a rest from the area.
Break your own rules. Working remote really is sweet. Don’t be too hard on yourself! If you’re falling asleep at your desk, go take a nap and finish your work later. If you’d rather go fold your laundry, get after it. If you need a change of pace, take a solo trip to another city and work from there. At the end of the day, if you slip through the cracks of the setup and it just isn’t working, it probably wasn’t meant for you in the first place.
