Working remotely can be liberating – allowing you to travel the world, operate during your own preferred office hours, and spend more time with family and friends.
However, the flip side of this is that it can be difficult to manage your time effectively. When no one is around to hold you to account, set targets for you, or provide you with a strict schedule, then it is easy to become demotivated, fall into bad habits or simply fail to get enough work done every day.
It is easy to beat yourself up for this lack of discipline, but the simple truth is that this is a challenge that affects every remote worker at one time or another. When you are solely responsible for your own productivity, then you must act as your own boss. This means setting ambitious targets and then exhibiting enough self-control to sit down and follow it through with work.
To overcome this hurdle, it is best to learn a series of simple tips that can help keep you on the right track. This is how to build a productive routine as a remote worker:
Find a coworking space near you
One of the most compelling benefits of remote working is also the greatest threat to your productivity – the ability to choose where you work.
Having the opportunity to work from your bed or from a beach on the other side of the world is incredibly exciting, but it also creates an almost overwhelming number of distractions.
After all, who wants to focus on work when they can be people-watching in a cafe or admiring the view in a foreign land?
To circumnavigate this problem, you could join a coworking space. This gives you a great balance between freelance flexibility and the structure that office space provides.
It is well known that your environment greatly influences your focus and motivation, which is why so many people struggle to work at home. By renting coworking space at The Brew, you can enjoy a dedicated work environment that fits in with your schedule.
Get up at the same time every day
Another great way to ensure you create a productive routine is to wake up at the same time every morning. This is because the way you start the day sets the tone for the rest of it, so ensuring you are up and out of bed at the same time gives you the impetus to stick to a schedule.
Anyone who has slept in too late and rushed to get their daily tasks done understands how an uneven sleeping routine can ruin your productivity, so set an alarm for a realistic time and make sure you stick to it.
Reward yourself with a healthy work/life balance
Being productive is not about working until you drop. This might work for a few days, but you will soon burn out.
Instead, you should aim to live a balanced lifestyle.
Schedule time to see friends and family, as well as to enjoy your favorite hobbies because this will help you recharge for your next working session.
