We have telecommuted to our meetings for more than a decade, because we all live spread across the world. Below are some ideas we live by to help us be successful in this atypical work environment. We hope it will help you adjust and be successful at telecommuting.
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VAW Global employees have always worked from remote locations. Sometimes in a VAW Global office, sometimes at home, many times from an airport or hostel, but almost always without the “typical work environment” where you can interact with your co-workers face to face.
Routines & Exercises
Having a routine before work ensures a healthy mindset for you, a development of a high morale and a sense of higher productivity. These morning routines can be from waking up early and showering, getting dressed, doing exercise, having breakfast, etc. Even if you’re telecommuting and might not be in the same place as your colleagues physically, it’s advisable to still “get ready for the office” as you would at any other job, for your mental health and productivity at work.
It might be challenging to get 10,000 steps while working at your desk all day, but it is highly recommended you plan daily exercise or walks so you get your boost of the day. During work, ensure that you are drinking enough water, stretch your legs from time to time or vary positions while seated. Most importantly, make sure you are able to sit properly with the help of an ergonomic chair and proper office desk. It’s also advisable to take some time to rest your eyes to avoid eye strain.
Healthy meals and/or snacks
You are as productive as what you eat. Schedule your meals at a fixed time; this will not only help avoid having health issues, it will also adjust your body’s clock to know when you will be having lunch. Therefore, you will be more focused on your tasks at their time.
Make sure to have a healthy breakfast every morning to start your day. Plan your lunch ahead of time and have some snacks available at your desk during the day (we recommend fruits or seeds to keep your energy and health up). Try to avoid fat or sugary foods and drinks, as they will add unnecessary carbs to your body. Drink lots of water during the day and make sure you stay hydrated.
Socializing
Having a telecommute job can be a bit lonely; you are in front of your computer for most of the day, unlike an office job in which one tends to interact with bosses or coworkers directly which keeps up your socializing skills. That is why it is very important to set some goals to help you out with socializing, here are some tips:
- Go out, even if it’s a stroll or walking your dog at noon. It’s always good to stretch your legs away from the computer.
- Work in a coworking space or a coffee shop. This forces you to interact with people while you work.
- Plan things for outside working hours. Even if it’s going to a pottery class, going to the gym or grabbing a drink with friends.
Space
The work space must be very illuminated and it needs to have a good ventilation system.
- Having an spacious desk and good working chair makes you feel more content with your space as well as being good for your health (no back issues)
- According to studies, having a tidy space will help you be more focused on your work
- Colors are important, because they give out a sense of mood depending on the colors by which you are surrounded (ex: yellow stimulates creativity; blue helps you focus; purple stimulates problem solving)
- Music helps you focus and keep being productive. You can listen to any can of music that helps you feel like that but we recommend music without lyrics like classical music, groove or electronic music.
Work & Life: Create Boundaries
Organizing not only working schedules but daily habits, such as walking the dog during your lunch break or preparing your meals ahead of time, can help improve your mental health.
Working from a computer or especially a cell phone can give you access to different platforms all the time; that being said, answering your work text or emails while on your day off is not advisable.
Time your day so you can have a start and end time. Create a space for work that you can leave at the end of the day. Leave your laptop in your dedicated workspace. Turn the notifications “off” on your phone (if possible). Finally, a good practice is to leave the house and take a small walk when you finish working.
Sleeping hours
During this modern time, it is very common to sleep around 5 hours or less. Even if it is common, that does not mean it is a healthy habit, especially for a telecommute worker. When you telecommute, you need to create your own motivation to achieve your goals of the day. If you have not slept enough, a cup of coffee might bring you back to life, but it will not have you at your 100% and this impacts your productivity. You will get more results if you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep on the same schedule every night.
If you feel like remote working is for you, why not try to be a Recruiter for VAW Global and work at anytime and anywhere you like?
We are looking for Team Leader Recruiters to be in charge of recruiting new Outreach chapters at universities around the world. You will recruit new Team Leaders at universities. This is a part-time telecommute position that will be tracked with weekly goals that lasts. It is twice yearly position (you can participate in just one recruitment season or multiple). >> More information
