Remote Working: VFasts top tips for maintaining your Work-Life Balance
Since the pandemic, working remotely (working from home, WFH) has become increasingly common in the UK, with businesses realising the benefits of offering employees flexibility and the opportunity to work from the comfort of their home either full-time or on a hybrid basis.
However, this new way of working also presents challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining productivity and a healthy work-life balance.
In this blog, we'll explore tips on how to flourish in a remote working environment, how to switch off at home, and why having a reliable internet connection is crucial when working from home.
USEFUL STATISTICS – (ref: www.forbes.com)
Creating a Comfortable and Productive Workspace
One of the first steps to thriving in a remote working environment is to establish a dedicated workspace. Whether it’s a spare room, a corner of your living room, or a specific seat at your dining table, having a set area where you work helps ensure you are in ‘work mode’ by creating a boundary between your professional and personal life.
Ensure you keep your dedicated workspace clear and well organised, so you feel like you are within an office environment. Keep your desk area tidy, minimise distractions (e.g. turn your TV off, cater for pets before your workday starts), and ensure you have all the tools you need at hand.
Investing in ergonomic furniture can also make a significant difference in your comfort and efficiency and reducing work related health issues.
Establishing a Routine
Having a consistent schedule is essential to maintaining productivity while working remotely. Set regular working hours and stick to them as much as possible. This helps to create a rhythm to your day and ensures you have clear boundaries between work time and personal time. If your working hours are 9am – 5pm, try and stick to these exact hours, so you are working as you normally would if you were in the office. If you are used to taking lunch from 12.30 - 1.30pm, keep this routine at home.
Try and start your day with a routine like when you are commuting to the office. This might include getting dressed (yes, out of your pyjamas!), having breakfast, and setting goals for the day. A morning routine can mentally prepare you for the workday ahead.
Managing your Work-Life Balance
It's easy to get caught up in work when you're at home esp. when you do not have anyone physically monitoring you, but regular breaks are vital for maintaining focus and preventing mistakes in your work. You can use techniques similar to the Pomodoro method, which is 25 minutes of highly focused work followed by a 5-minute break, which will help you to structure your time effectively.
One of the biggest challenges of remote work is knowing when to switch off, as the temptation to log back on is right in front of you. If your laptop is in the office and you have forgotten to send an email or update a document, you must wait until you return to your desk the next day. At home, you can feel obligated to log back on to complete tasks. Try and set a clear end time for your workday, and once it’s over, disconnect from work-related activities. Turn off notifications, close your work laptop, and relax and unwind.
To help maintain a healthy work-life balance, it’s important to create a separation between your work and your personal life. After your workday ends, try to engage in activities showing the separation, such as watching a movie or your favourites shows, going for a walk, exercising, or spending time with family.
Staying Connected with Colleagues
Maintaining regular contact with fellow staff members is important when working remotely, so you feel that you are part of the team, which is vital for morale and a sense of belonging. Attend regular meetings, schedule weekly catch ups with your colleagues and keep yourself updated on projects to stay connected and in the loop on all business activities. Video calls are particularly effective for this, as they add a personal touch that emails, and instant messages lack. Skype, Zoom or Teams are excellent options for video calling.
DID YOU KNOW - Zoom is the leading video conferencing software with a market share of around 55%.
Regularly seek feedback from your manager or colleagues, as feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and keep you aligned with your team’s goals.
Ask to attend online courses, webinars, sharing industry-related material, as continuous learning can help you stay competitive and motivated and again, part of the team, even if you are not physically in the office.
The Importance of a Reliable Internet Connection
A stable and fast internet connection is 100% essential to enable remote working. From video conferencing to accessing cloud-based tools, nearly every aspect of remote work relies on the internet. Poor connectivity can lead to dropped calls, slow downloads, and a general decline in productivity, which can be frustrating and disruptive, resulting in work not being completed to schedule.
To enable you to work efficiently from home, invest in a high-quality internet service provider. Consider upgrading your broadband plan if needed (a business internet plan may be more appropriate than a home service), and if you have multiple people working or studying from home, make sure your internet package can handle the demand.
Fun Fact - Milton Keynes has the slowest broadband speed in the UK on average, having recorded download speeds of 73.16 Mbps as of 2024
Discuss with your internet provider what connection will work best for your situation. You can also contact the VFast team to discuss your current connection and what options are available to you.
The Vfast team can be contacted on 01227 668901/sales@vfast.co.uk
Having a backup internet solution, like a mobile hotspot, can be a lifesaver if your primary connection fails. This ensures you can continue working without interruption if for any reason your connection drops or goes down.
By creating a productive workspace, establishing a routine, maintaining work-life balance, and ensuring you have a reliable internet connection, you can enjoy the flexibility of remote work while staying connected and productive.