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Remote work experts: what advice do you have for newbies?

While a lot of us are old pros at remote work and working from home, a LOT of folks are doing it for the first time right now.

Experts: What advice do you have to share? Tips and tricks for productivity, focus, and beating boredom?

Newbies: What are you struggling with? We might be able to help!

  1. 3

    For me, I spent the last 4 years working remotely for a startup. Here is my top 3 things:

    • Make a tight schedule. Wake up at exactly the same time, have lunch at exactly the same time, have that meeting at exactly the same time every day. When you wake up, you should already know what you will be doing at 7:15PM.
    • Think of things you will do outside of work, and make time for those. Otherwise, work will expand to fill the entire day. This happens easily if you love what you do.
    • When in doubt about anything else: exercise.
    1. 1

      I abide by this. Not gonna lie, you had me in 2nd point.

  2. 2

    Get a routine, it's tempting to let things loose, but do get your meals and breaks on time. We are routing animals.

    Meet people, humans need real contact, even if we are mostly unaware if it.

  3. 2

    Self-discipline is the key. Nothing more.

  4. 2

    Like others have mentioned, it definitely helps to get your mind and workspace right when starting the day: take a shower, get dressed, tidy up.

    Also, if you're easily distracted, there are apps that you can set up to block access to certain sites during certain hours.

    1. 1

      I use Block Site religiously, and it's more important right now than ever!

  5. 2

    I've got a pretty unique perspective, since I not only work remote, I went to six years of online school while I was growing up!

    I always tells folks: in spite of all the jokes about sleeping all day and never putting on pants, get dressed (even just in something comfy) every day. You'll feel more professional and less sleepy.

    Also, if you don't have too many commitments at particular times, working remote is a great chance to find out how your body naturally functions best. I know for a fact I'm slow in the mornings and very productive late at night, and working from home allows me to lean into that.

  6. 1

    What works for me is to make sure I'm in a spot, whether it's in my home or outside, that I don't go to relax in (e.g., the bedroom). This helps me to separate my work from my down time and to focus on what I have to get done!

    You should check out oVice at https://tour-en.ovice.in/ as a remote work tool!

    We provide access to virtual spaces for our users where they can customize it and make it their own! You can turn it into a virtual office, host events, study space, etc.

    Our goal is to really optimize the remote work experience by giving our users the ability to interact with their peers in real time. This helps promote productivity and collaboration and I feel it can really help you stay focused, no matter where you are in the world!

  7. 1

    I'm terrible at planning and often give myself a hard time about it, but before going to bed every night I mentally plan out my next day. Not so much the actual work I'll be doing, but more when I will be doing the work.

    This is more to do with my somewhat complicated life with multiple kids/responsibilities my husband and I need to remind each other of things that need doing and plan around that.

    It's almost like a game - where can I find around 8 hours to get work done in tomorrow's 24 hour day?

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