There are many advantages to working remotely, and in 2020 this manner of working has been essential for many organizations and their employees to continue to operate successfully. But spending Monday to Friday, 9 – 5pm at home can come with its struggles, which is why we’ve come up with the top remote-work mistakes professionals should strive to avoid.

Poor Internet Connection

Working from home gives you a lot of freedom and possibilities, plus there’s no commute to the office. But, you won’t be working from home or somewhere remotely for long if you have a poor internet connection.

In some areas this can be hard to avoid, but it’s important to have a good setup in order to make working from home work for you and your employer. Whether you use the internet for simple email exchanges or you manage back-ends of a huge website, you will need good Wi-Fi and a reliable laptop or computer. A bad connection means you’ll struggle to keep in contact with the rest of your team or daily tasks will take you much longer than they should to complete.

Not Being in the Right Mindset

What’s on the to-do list this morning? Are you prepared for a new working day? Be sure to take notes if you need to remember anything important for the next day, and get into a positive mindset before you log-on.

Waking up at a sensible time – preferably one that you can stick to most mornings – and eating a healthy balanced breakfast will set you up for a more productive day and get you in a good headspace for work. Late nights and starts, skipping breakfast, or opting to eat junk food will contribute to a negative mindset. Along with having bad posture and, as simple it sounds, not changing out of your pajamas. All these things could lead to a slower start and not being as positively ready for the next day.

Not Communicating Effectively

Unlike in a conventional office environment, you won’t be in constant contact with your colleagues in a traditional sense. You’ll be relying on email, and mobile and video calls. The former sounds simple enough but it’s so vital that you’re able to clearly and concisely convey yourself without anything being lost in translation or read the wrong way.

As for video calls – make sure you’re sitting in front of a plain background if you have it, as this will be less distracting for the person on-screen. Also, be certain that your surroundings are quiet enough so that you and your colleague(s) can hear each other.

Not Setting Boundaries

Your work-life balance can be seriously affected when working remotely. For example, if you’re working from home all day and stay put on the couch with your laptop on your lap and no real break, when do you finally switch off?

When your personal space is also your office space, sometimes it can be a really struggle to separate the two. A designated area such as an office in your home can help. But overall, it’s important to set boundaries so as not to burn out. When work is done for the day, don’t be tempted to do more until the next day. Remember to switch off and enjoy your own time with family and friends.

Do you work remotely? What are your personal tips to stay productive while working remotely?