In a study by Buffer, 99% of people would like to work from home at least part of the time. Working from home has become the new normal for many businesses around the globe. Flexibility and work-life balance are important to the majority of workers. The coronavirus pandemic has also increased the number of people working from home. With the shift to remote work, there will be a learning curve and adjustment.
How to Overcome Remote Work Challenges
When you’re working from home, it could be beneficial to schedule weekly meetings with your team and clients. Coworking spaces are on the rise as more businesses embrace the work-from-home culture.
[bctt tweet=”Everyone learns and operates differently so it’s difficult to pinpoint the biggest challenges in an at-home workplace. Here are some common long term difficulties. #WFH” username=””]
- Loneliness
- Office Space
- Distractions & Procrastination
1) Isolation & Loneliness
One of the greatest challenges that remote workers face in their workdays is feeling isolated. As more companies embrace remote work, it’s not uncommon to feel disconnected from your team. COVID-19 is most-likely contributing to this feeling because you can’t make plans as usual after work hours.
Pro Tip: Try to have face to face interactions with your remote team at least once a week to combat remote work loneliness.
2) Office Space
Another difficulty of working from home is finding a designated home office space. If you live with multiple people, all of the rooms and space could be occupied. Consider moving some furniture around to make a corner for work-related tasks. If you live in a smaller space, you can use a desk designed for compact homes. When you work in an office, it can help remote workers focus and separate home from work life.
3) Distractions & Procrastination
Most people are no stranger to distractions, even in an office environment. In fact, you may even feel more distracted in a shared office space when coworkers, bosses, and clients are interrupting your workflow. At home, you have more than just coworkers distracting you.
Staying productive while you work from home can be challenging. Many remote workers have pets, kids, and chores distracting them. Try setting a timer for forty-five minutes and working for the entire time without any interruptions. After the timer goes off, take a break, have a snack, take your dog outside, or do a quick workout. Moving in between work will give your brain and body a much-needed boost.
Overcoming Remote Work Difficulties
Working at home can make the boundary between your personal life and work-life blurry. Although difficult to stay focused, the flexibility makes it all worth the challenges for many online employees. If you want more remote work tips, connect with our social media team.
