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Although many people report wanting to work remotely from home, the situation is not always rosy. Working from home can present social and life-balance challenges. It makes it harder to separate work hours from off hours. It can even make you miss the office, even if you’ve been dreaming of remote work.
If you're new to working from home, it may take time to adjust. In the beginning, you may find yourself feeling stressed and not getting much work done. But once you learn how to work from home successfully, it can be a rewarding experience.
Why can remote work be so challenging?
Working from home is a big adjustment, and not everyone loves it. The routines and outer pressures of the office are gone. But you may find the pressures of office life weren’t all bad. Without them, you may lose definition in your hours and work patterns.
To succeed in remote work, it helps to be aware of its possible downsides. Here are seven challenges of working from home to be mindful of:
1. Motivation changes
Coworker interactions might sometimes be distracting or complicated, but they’re also motivating. Finding the best way to set team goals remotely can help beat a lack of motivation.
Outside the office, you may struggle to see the impact your work makes. Working from home may also lack collaboration opportunities that push your work and personal life forward.
Remember that good remote work habits involve structure. Keep in contact with coworkers and your supervisor, knowing that consistent interactions can help boost your motivation and productivity.
2. Getting distracted
While breaks in the work week can be good, distractions at home can be a challenge. Working from home comes with a host of attention diversions. The pile of dirty dishes, necessary appointments, or kids playing on a snow day can distract you.
When you work from home, the lines between your job and personal life blur. Because of this, working from home requires intentional time management.
If you have kids, work on setting boundaries for working from home and carving out enough hours for work and family. Focusing your energy on one area at a time gives you a better chance of meeting the needs of both. Parent coaching is a great resource for navigating working life with kids at home.
If chores get in your way, try setting a time to wash the dishes or change laundry. You can use that time as a regular break from your desk.
When possible, you should also choose a specific day of the week for non-work appointments. Drawing clear lines between work hours and home time can help reduce distractions.
Strategies to minimize distractions can also reduce multitasking and help you control your time. This often leads to more headspace, increased productivity, and a greater sense of accomplishment.
3. Being available all the time
For many, improving communication takes more effort when you can’t stop by someone’s desk. But strong communication doesn’t mean being on call 24/7. Instead of being available all the time, commit to a consistent work schedule.
A pandemic-era study on remote work showed that 42% of workers feel stressed about being “always on” and available at any hour. With such strong evidence that remote workers struggle to step away from work, it’s important to draw clear boundaries to help prevent burnout.
When you’re away, be sure to be truly “off the clock.” Close your computer, log out of Slack, and ignore email once you finish your work hours.
4. Lack of training on tools
The study mentioned above says workers spend an average of 45 minutes a day searching for necessary information. Part of the issue is that many workers don’t get the training necessary to use digital channels.
Remote work can exacerbate this problem. Where traditional offices have someone you can turn to, in remote jobs, training requires forethought. Certain resources might not be available online, or you may need to request (and wait for) access.
Practice self-advocacy to get training on any tools you need to do your job. If you have questions or need help finding a document, ask a coworker for assistance.
5. Unproductive work habits
It seems as if people are constantly talking about productivity these days. But sometimes, working from home can feel anything but productive. If you have unproductive habits, they might contribute to a feeling of unfocused attention.
Keep an eye on your daily habits. If you need help maintaining focus, try keeping up with the routines of in-person workdays. Things like getting dressed and working in a quiet environment can help.
Remember, developing set routines might make you more productive and engaged. Good habits can grow into routines that support your life and healthy remote work.
Thriving from home: 3 ways remote workers can be comfortable and productive
Need some work-from-home tips to help you strike a balance? Here are some ways to be sure your work hours are productive and peaceful.
1. Set up an efficient workspace
Your work setting is important to your work mindset. While it’s tempting to crash on the couch to type out your work emails, this is not always the best option for productivity.
Create a work-from-home setup for use during set hours. If you don’t have an entire home office, carve out a corner or a separate space as your work environment. Set up your area with everything you need to get work done without distractions.
Invest in the right resources to remain productive and present in your work mindset. This may include comfortable noise-canceling headphones for calls. It may also involve a standing desk or even a desk treadmill. These can help you get the movement you might miss outside a traditional office setting.
Your company may be able to help you build the right environment. Ask about work perks like a home office stipend. Find out what remote software tools are available to help you stay productive. With the right mix of environment and resources, staying on track while at home is much easier.
2. Stay connected to colleagues
There are ways to stay socially connected with people at home, work, and outside your network. But if you work from home, you may still seek more consistent company.
This is because company culture plays a part in social connection. To connect with your coworkers, find ways to engage personally (instead of only when you have a work question). Set up coworker coffee calls, or ask your manager about creating social team video calls.
Though building company culture is difficult in remote settings, it’s a valuable and important way to stay connected.
3. Outline your work hours and boundaries
It’s OK to set an internal work-from-home policy. When building an effective routine, take time to consider and then declare your needs. Be clear and communicate expectations with your family and coworkers about the things that help you focus.
Here are a few ways to set clear and respectful boundaries:
- Spell out your work hours by making them part of your team messaging profile. You may also want to include them in the footer of emails and add them to your team calendar. Stick to your schedule as much as possible to avoid the “always on” feeling.
- Talk with home companions and children about the importance of working hours. Reinforce the need for quiet and cooperation while you’re on calls or taking care of work tasks. Navigating a work-life balance can be difficult when you’re always home. Keep communicating expectations fairly and firmly when working from home with kids.
- Don’t succumb to bad habits like eating lunch at your desk or sneaking in off-hours work to stay ahead. Stick to the plan, and enjoy your break times during the day. Do your best to maintain a normal working schedule, just as you would with a commuter job.
How to work from home and maintain mental health
1. Interact with others on a personal level
Achieving human connection through video and messaging can help you feel like part of the team. Fortunately, there are apps and software platforms for building virtual connections among remote employees. Slack, Skype, and Zoom make setting up a quick video chat or carrying a conversation about shared interests easier.
That said, constant digital stimulation can make it easy to feel overwhelmed. Do your best to disconnect at the end of the day, and consider a digital detox to minimize device dependence.
2. Connect with people inside and outside your home
Scheduling lunch or a quick visit with friends, family, or a nearby work buddy can help you stay connected if you work from home. Spending time with someone you already know and who lives with you can also help you recharge.
If you want to get out of the house, try working in a Wi-Fi-enabled local coffee shop or co-working space. It can boost your human interaction and lift your mood. Research shows that connecting with others, even strangers, builds resilience and mental health. Don’t be afraid to get out there and strike up a conversation.
3. Take calls outside
On busy call days, the idea of getting a sandwich can be daunting, never mind seeing the sunshine. Still, BetterUp Senior SEO Manager Sara Sugar-Anyanwu recommends stepping away from your desk.
“Take calls while walking if you don’t need to be on camera or by your own computer screen. Walk around the block, walk your dog, or head to the park.” — Sara Sugar-Anyanwu, BetterUp Senior SEO Manager
When possible, go outside while you’re in virtual meetings. You can still engage while stretching your legs and enjoying the fresh air.
4. Maintain a routine
Routines can help you feel more secure and productive while working from home. Block off time on your calendar so you know what to expect at each point of the day. Try scheduling regular breaks to stay productive. This can help you fight burnout.
You should also build time for yourself into your daily routine. Setting aside moments to focus on yourself and do Inner Work® has many benefits. It supports both your physical well-being and mental fitness. You could even try a virtual workout during a break to increase your energy.
BetterUp SEO Manager Dawn Macri suggests committing to exercise before or after work.
“Making time for a workout before or after work can be really helpful to kickstart the day or decompress.” — Dawn Macri, BetterUp SEO Manager
5. Limit your social media use
It can be hard to concentrate when social media notifications pull you in all directions. Try blocking distracting apps or changing your settings to silence notifications. You could also schedule “social breaks” to check your messages during specific times.
Or, if you want to avoid social media during the workday, try using your breaks in another way. Schedule different activities such as a short walk, listening to a mental health podcast, or reading. These activities can serve as a type of rest from endless scrolling.
Best industries to look for a great work-from-home role
If your current job is in an office, it may seem daunting to find remote work. But finding a work-from- home job doesn’t have to be tough. The best work-from-home jobs often involve different types of interpersonal communication without certain physical tasks that require a specific location.
There are many opportunities to find a job you love that you can do from home. Here are seven of the most popular career paths to get a remote job:
1. Financial services
People in financial services help others work toward financial wellness. But CPAs, financial advisors, and accountants don’t always need face-to-face time. With a job in this field, you may be able to perform your role working remotely via video calls and emails.
2. Customer service representative
Post-pandemic, many customer service roles are work-from-home jobs. With remote call management software, you can take customer calls without being in a physical center. Online resources give you everything you need to answer questions so you can help customers by phone or chat.
3. Recruiter
Finding the right talent as part of the hiring process can be done from home or the office. It’s possible to screen candidates, research leads, and schedule interviews remotely. You can hold check-ins, discuss options, and negotiate for your client over video calls rather than in person.
4. Project manager
Project managers often handle teams in different locations. With SaaS project management tools, you can connect with teammates easily. Software makes it possible to keep a project on track and budget from the comfort of home.
5. Sales representative
Phone calls are a great way to build relationships with potential clients. But there’s no reason you need to be in an office to make them.
Sales teams often work remotely these days. However, in-person meeting dates are still an option if live collaboration makes more sense. Team-building meetings can also be online or in person, depending on needs.
6. Writer
Many writers work from home. It’s a flexible job for those with experience in an industry and the ability to write persuasively.
Freelance writing can free you from regular working hours, though staff writers may still work 9 to 5. If you can get a job with flexible hours, it may be easier to balance life and home demands.
7. Web developer
Those with jobs in the computer science field, such as web developers and designers, may be able to work completely remotely. The nature of the work and the availability of centralized platforms make it easy to do in a home setting. Coders can write, edit, share, and deploy code from wherever they sit. Development is a great option for digital nomads and decentralized teams.
Ready to start working from home?
Remote work has become available to many professionals. But the cultural shift to working from home is only beginning.
Now is the perfect time to develop a new career working remotely. When you learn how to work from home successfully, the benefits of remote work only grow.
Having the right mindset is crucial when learning how to work from home. BetterUp can help you transition into a career you love from the comfort of your own home. Sign up today and start working toward your dreams.
