For many, working from home sounds ideal. Flexibility, freedom, and the opportunity to tailor your environment to just how you want it. No office politics to navigate, no water cooler small talk and never again having to sit in traffic, with the rest of the rat-race, wishing you were back home in bed on those cold, dark, dreary mornings. Heck, some days I even get to work in my PJ's...bliss. right?
Well, occasionally, yes!
But... (and like the song, it's a big but...) working from home isn't always ideal. And It's definitely not ideal for everyone.
Working from home is a skill that requires mastery for success. It needs preparation and practice for this work style to be ideal for you.
It presents numerous challenges, with one in particular that most remote workers encounter being especially tough to handle:
Good old loneliness.
Working from home can be a lonely way to spend your days.
Spending extended periods alone, without the lively atmosphere of an office or the presence of colleagues, can feel isolating and impact focus, productivity, and overall well-being. Without others to help you stay on track and maintain accountability, distractions can easily take over. It can be difficult to stay motivated. When working alone at home, you miss the opportunity to quickly consult colleagues, seek opinions, verify information, and get additional help.
You also become more accessible to family; children may not understand why you can't leave the computer for them at a moment's notice, and on sunny days when the grass is green and birds are singing, the urge to be outside enjoying summer can be almost irresistible.
So, how do you stay motivated and maintain balance while working solo? Here are some tried-and-true strategies:
1. Staying Focused and Motivated
To work from home successfully, you have to be self-disciplined. Here are some tips to help you stay on track:
Establish Daily Objectives: Begin each day by identifying your top three priorities and your goal for each day. Clear goals will provide structure to your workday and help you maintain focus. I personally use a To-Do list; I love the satisfaction of crossing off my completed tasks, although I am old-school. There are lots of tools available to track daily, weekly, and monthly goals that will help you manage your workload and maintaining discipline; choose the one that suits you best.
Establish a Specific Work Area: Allocate a specific area in your home for work activities. Keeping this space clean and organised reduces distractions and cues your brain to concentrate. Similarly, dressing for work each morning serves as a mental cue, indicating that you are in work mode, even though staying in pyjamas on chilly winter mornings might be tempting.
Manage Your Time: Break your day into sections for concentrated tasks and plan them in advance. Use tools like Google Calendar or apps like Todoist to organise your schedule. Personally, I use my Alexa to set alarms and reminders that signal when to take breaks, alert me of upcoming deadlines and meetings, and to save and share crucial information for future reference.
Incorporate Rewards: Motivate yourself with small rewards. For example, complete a task and treat yourself to a cup of your favourite coffee or a 10-minute stroll.
Maintain Discipline: Understand your goals and remain committed to them. It sounds simple, doesn't it? However, it's not always easy, but it's essential for successful remote work.
Rediscover Your “Why”: Frequently remind yourself of the reasons behind your career choice. By reflecting on your objectives, such as achieving work-life balance, attaining financial independence, or pursuing personal growth, you can rekindle your enthusiasm and maintain your commitment, motivation, and discipline.
2. Monitor Your Workload
Managing your workload is critical to ensuring you don’t overcommit or fall behind. Here’s how to stay in control:
Track Your Tasks: Use task management software like Asana, Trello, or ClickUp to keep tabs on deadlines and deliverables.
Evaluate Your Productivity: At the week's end, take time to reflect. Did you accomplish your scheduled tasks? Were there any obstacles? What challenges did you face and overcome? Consistently evaluating your working practices can enhance your workflow, keeping you efficient and in control.
Communicate Boundaries: If you’re juggling multiple clients, be upfront about your capacity. Politely decline additional tasks if you’re at full capacity. Remember, communication is key.
Batch Similar Tasks: Organise similar tasks into groups (such as emails, research, scheduling) to optimise your workflow and prevent mental exhaustion from frequent task-switching. Don't check your emails each time a new one appears, as this can disrupt your concentration on the current task and lead to wasted time.
3. Taking Regular Breaks and Avoiding Burnout
It’s tempting to power through your to-do list without pausing, but that’s a fast track to burnout. Here’s how to stay refreshed:
Schedule Breaks: The Pomodoro Technique involves 25 minutes of concentrated work followed by a 5-minute rest. This method is widely used to incorporate breaks. You can use apps such as Focus Keeper to maintain your schedule, or, like I do, ask Alexa to set alarms to remind you to pause.
Step Away from the Screen: Use your breaks to stretch, hydrate, or step outside for fresh air. A change of scenery can do wonders for your mental clarity.
Practice Self-Care: Assess your workspace to ensure it is safe and healthy. Ensure your back is well-supported, your desk is at the correct height, and your screen is at eye level. Stay tuned for my upcoming blog article on how to keep your workstation from harming your health.
Set a Hard Stop: Define a clear end to your workday. This creates a boundary between your professional and personal life, reducing the risk of overworking.
4. Combatting Isolation
Even the most independent person working from home can feel the sting of loneliness. Counter this by staying connected:
Join Online Communities: Engage with fellow virtual assistants on platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, or Facebook groups. Sharing tips and challenges can foster camaraderie.
Schedule Virtual Coffee Chats: Reach out to colleagues, clients, or industry peers for informal chats. A little social interaction can go a long way.
Mix Up Your Environment: Occasionally work from a coffee shop or co-working space to break the monotony.
5. Be Honest about whether it is Right for You
Working from home can be beneficial, but as I previously mentioned, it isn't suitable for everyone.
Be comfortable being alone: It's important to be honest with yourself about whether this work style fits you. You need to be comfortable being on your own, possess self-discipline, self-motivation, and self-drive.
Know your Capabilities: Be confident in your skills and realistic about your capabilities.
Self-Management: Effectively managing your time and workload is essential. Strong communication skills are crucial, as context can frequently be misunderstood in text, email, or instant messaging. Utilize the phone frequently to maintain open communication and strengthen connections with colleagues, management, and clients.
Communicate: Address challenges before they turn into problems. Working alone does not mean you are on your own; you have colleagues and management to consult, rely on for support, seek assistance from, and discuss challenges with. Use all available resources, including your professional network.
Final Thoughts
Working alone from home is a skill — one that requires balance, self-awareness, and intentional effort. By implementing these strategies, you can stay productive, motivated, and most importantly, happy in your role when working from home. Remember, solitude doesn’t have to mean loneliness. With the right mindset and tools, it can be an empowering and enriching experience.
What are your favourite ways to stay focused and connected while working solo? Share your tips in the comments!
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