The most cited reason individuals fail to adapt to operating remotely is they fail to realise the need for superior organisation and sustainable self discipline.
I have been operating remotely for over seven years since I first uncovered Quickbooks online an ‘on demand’ small business accounting software online system and was struck by the fact that if you can do accounting online then why shouldn’t it be practical to perform other key types of of work at a distance?
Whilst working remotely has numerous upsides there are numerous traps that people easily fall into which turn into problems that cause reduced work output and reduced morale. The key reason for low work output from remote workers is disruption and it is a verified and well known fact that it can take a person up to 0.33 hours to return to their original output level after experiencing a disruption.
Deeper insights reveal that members of both sexes who are continuously affected by disruptions are more likely to suffer from lower memory capacity and are prone to developing mental health problems in later life. We exist in an over communicated society and it is critical that you are aware of the problems this causes before you decide to work remotely. Whilst working remotely you must do everything feasible to remove the jeopardy of being disrupted.
Here are my most important tips:
1, Get a consistent schedule, tell everyone about it and rigidly adhere to it!
Good examples are a specific time of day when you review or write and send mail and make or be available for phone conversatiions. Before I began working remotely I used to receive as many as 200 e-mails every 24 hours. Now I think I am unfortunate if I get greater than 5. To start over with my electronic mail experience I changed my e-mail address and obsessively took steps to look after the details being passed on to anyone. I then ‘trained’ every person who I gave my e-mail address to, to use it wisely and sparingly. I also configured an automatic response that swiftly told anyone sending me mail my routine for reading mail and if an e-mail should have my immediate awareness to mark it as ‘Urgent’.
2. Get rid of alerts.
Turn off every feature that can send you a visual or audible alert. This includes mobile and
conventional telephones and forms of alerts from e-mail such as visual alerts, audible warnings, screen changes to your inbox folder and of course facing a window. Get a door on your office and put up a ‘do not disturb’ sign on it.
In ‘Remote Working Part 3 – Basic Toolkit’ I will reveal my favourite tools and software.