How to Become an Extremely Successful Remote Worker

The internet and technology have allowed many people to do their job remotely; from a neighborhood café, to a home office, or even at the beach.

Remote work isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s probably going to become even more popular as companies realize the benefits of leveraging a remote workforce. Research shows that remote workers cost less because they don’t take up physical space in an office, and they tend to be even more productive than on-premises workers.

Given the growing popularity of remote work and the obvious benefits when it comes to work-life balance, there’s no time like the present to embrace this job possibility. If you are going to work remotely, you should know that it is a bit different than working on-location. Below are a few suggestions on how you can become a successful remote worker.

Make Sure Your Work Has Meaning

When you are working remotely, it much more essential to do something that has meaning for you. Because you don’t have the peer pressure to do your best or the camaraderie to lift you up during difficult times, purpose can provide you with vital motivation on a daily basis.

Regardless of what your job is, there are ways to derive purpose from your job. For instance, you might consider who personally benefits from the work you do. Perhaps you were able to solve a problem for a customer or provide them with a sense of joy. When you’re working remotely, it can be hard to stay motivated based on pay alone. Therefore, intrinsic motivation is a major key to success.

Understand Expectations and Keep Them Well-Defined

Another key to successful remote work is always knowing what is expected of you. Before you even start working remotely, make sure you understand the scope of your responsibilities. If you have any doubt about your duties – ask, rather than waiting for possible negative feedback.

After a meeting or important conversation, it’s a good idea to send an email summing up what conclusions were drawn and the actions that will be made moving forward. It’s always safer to be too thorough, as details can get lost or interpreted differently in a remote work situation. Consider miscommunication to be your No. 1 enemy.

Take Breaks Regularly

Since remote work is usually sedentary, you run the risk of sitting at your computer for too long. Once an hour, get time, stretch your legs and try to get some fresh air.

Also, try to include some physical activity. Because you can work from almost anywhere and you have schedule flexibility, there really is no excuse for not getting in some kind of physical activity every day.

Maintain a Regular, Flexible Routine

While flexibility is one of the great benefits of remote work, it can also be a bit of a curse. It’s useful to have a set schedule and work at designated times. That can also help it become much easier for your co-workers to work together with you.

We Can Help You Find Remote Working Opportunities

At SMCI, we help job seekers find all kinds of career opportunities. Please contact us today to find out how we can find one that works for you.