Remote work can be demanding and can even feel repetitive. I mean, who doesn’t get tired of constant video calls?
Despite its convenience and flexibility, there are days when we all want a change of scenery from the WFH lifestyle. Heck, some of us might actually miss the adrenaline rush from commuting, urgent meetings, and networking events. Especially now that they’re not an option.
Some of us might even feel a little…stuck. If you crave professional and career growth you may have to exert a little more effort, but it’s not impossible.
Here are just a handful of things you can do to achieve such even as you work from home:
Advocate for yourself and your team.
Look, I get it. Being vocal about your accomplishments or progress can feel awkward, embarrassing, or even a little self-serving. But there’s a lot more to it than pride or vanity.
Working remotely can feel isolating. Chances are, your team feels the same way. This is why celebrating wins big and small can help break the monotony and boost team morale to boot.
Acknowledge the contributions of every worker who made it possible and encourage them to keep it up. In doing so, you’re exercising leadership and also encouraging those around you to keep growing.
Keep your network active.
The pandemic has made it impossible to go for coffee or engage in face to face chats with clients, employees, and colleagues. Right now, we have to settle for virtual meet-ups and online gatherings.
Although this new set-up is less than ideal, it still pays to keep tabs on your connections. After all, a lot of us didn’t exactly stop working. Hence, occasionally check in on the people in your network, even if it’s just through a short email or a quick message via social media.
Also, you want your prospects to feel that you’re open to collaboration anytime. Open and regular communication can open up various opportunities for growth too, professionally and otherwise.
Always invest in learning.
One of the undeniable benefits of remote work is extra time. It removes the need for commuting, after all. While it can be tempting to use this for more sleep, you can put it towards something more productive.
For example, you can enroll in an online course about social media management, SEO writing, or digital marketing. You can also subscribe to a podcast or read articles about business strategies in the new normal.
Invest your time wisely and never stop learning. The global pandemic may have turned the world upside down, but there are new opportunities out there for anyone who’s willing to unlearn and relearn.
Improve your time management skills.
Successful leaders rely on excellent time management to bring their organisations to greater heights. Time is the only currency that we cannot regain, thus we should use it wisely.
If you’re a manager or business owner, efficient time management is even more important. Allocating your own hours wisely is the only way for you to monitor, guide, and assist your team properly, should the need arise.
To start, always identify your pending tasks and prioritise them according to their urgency and importance. Delegate as needed do whatever you can to minimise the distractions around you. Wherever you end up, knowing how to use your time wisely will always serve you well, and help you achieve better work-life balance in the process.
Seize every opportunity.
Running a business is a lot more demanding at this time. However, despite all the uncertainty in the foreseeable future, there is reason to be optimistic and open to every opportunity.
Many companies have managed to bounce back and achieve their sales quotas thanks to digital platforms. They have also realised the value and advantages of hiring and working with a remote, distributed team. If your business model is suited to either or both approaches, why not give it a try? You could very well stumble upon a game-changing moment for your company.
Learning is a lifelong effort and with a little creativity and effort, this pandemic doesn’t have to stop you from achieving your goals. While it can be tough to balance employee management and professional development, it is both possible and fulfilling to do both.
Remote Staff has been helping AU SMEs and entrepreneurs like you find, hire, and retain remote workers from the Philippines for more than a decade and counting. Aside from that, we also provide in-house tools that can make managing them easier so you’ll have more time to work on your personal goals.
Call us today or schedule a call back so we can get started.
Serena has been working remotely and writing content for the better part of the last decade. To date, she's written for Pepper.ph and Mabuhay Magazine, among others, and has churned out more than a thousand articles on everything from The Basics of Stock Market Investing to How to Make Milk Tea-Flavored Taho at home. Hermits, aspiring hermits, and non-hermits with interesting project propositions may email her at serena.estrella10@gmail.com.
