Until 2020, the idea of working from home was a distant dream for most employees. But because of the pandemic, millions of people have been thrust into remote working. And suddenly, everyone realises it’s not all comfy clothes and lie-ins. Work from home jobs come with their own challenges. 

So if you’re feeling the strain of remote working, don’t worry! Today we’re sharing our top tips to transform your work from home experience.

6 ways to transform your remote working experience

Create a dedicated workspace

Nobody feels motivated looking at a dark, cluttered room. Working from home is a great excuse to create an uplifting work space; one that you look forward to going to. And it’s important you don’t just work from the sofa, but have a dedicated space that separates work and home life. Here are some simple ways you can revamp your office space:

  • Invest in a filing cabinet
  • Put up family pictures
  • Buy some flowers
  • Hang a whiteboard
  • Use good lighting
  • Keep it tidy
  • Use a partition (if you don’t have a separate office)

Get dressed

Getting dressed is one of the simplest ways to transform your working day. We know it can be tempting to lounge about in your pyjamas all day. But how much is this really helping your motivation levels? We’re not saying you need to put on your finest office wear… but dressing as though you’re going to leave the house is a great way to shift your mindset.

Develop a routine

When you’re working from home, it’s so important to develop a routine to help you stay on track. Normally you’d have your manager keeping you accountable, but it’s not the same when you’re a remote worker. If you don’t develop a routine, distractions will step in (the fridge being one of those distractions). 

Interact with your team

Home based jobs can get a little lonely from time to time. It’s easy to roll out of bed, switch your computer on and get to work. But before you know it, a whole day has passed and you haven’t interacted with anyone. To avoid feeling isolated, be sure to check in on your colleagues. Make sure you attend team meetings, and also talk to your manager if you feel you need more interaction.

Take breaks

When you’re working from home, it can be easy to work through your breaks, especially if you work for a startup. But avoid getting into the habit of eating your lunch at your desk. Force yourself to get away from the computer and take your full breaks. If you don’t do this, it won’t be long before you experience burnout and your motivation levels drop to an all time low.

Set boundaries

If you don’t live alone, it’s important to cut out as many distractions as possible. You may need to tell your children not to disturb you between certain times. Or you may need to shut the office door to make sure your pets don’t come and disturb you. Setting boundaries is particularly important if you have deadlines to meet.

Flourish from home

Working from home can be a fantastic addition to your life, but only when managed in the right way. It certainly has its drawbacks. But it’s all about learning how to manage these downsides rather than letting them pile up on you. As long as you make a conscious effort to use these steps, you can continue to enjoy your job!

Want to work from home? Browse the ‘work from home’ section on the SonicJobs app to find a remote job near you!