Is Remote Work Right for Me? 8 Things to Know

Be Self-Motivated

You are going to need to be productive and self-motivated. No one will look over you to evaluate if you are performing at your best.

Trust is a massive part of remote work, and you will want to perform to a high standard to prove to your employer or freelance clients that you can be trusted to complete work to deadlines and a good standard.

Think about what motivates you:

Do you need people around you to motivate you to work? Do you do your best when collaborating with people in the same room? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, remote working might not be for you.

Work Routine is Essential

Creating a morning and evening routine is essential for a perfect work-life balance. Have a dedicated time where your focus is on work, but build in exercise, sleep, and activities you enjoy.

You can forget to take breaks when working remotely, resulting in burnout and performance issues.

Think about when you are most productive during the day, and if possible, base your work schedule around this period.

Building a daily routine is difficult, especially if you are disorganized or manage your time poorly.

Remote Working Suits Introverts

Remote work can be a lonely existence sometimes, so it is vital that you like your own company and are happy to spend time alone.

You must take time out to engage with family and friends or go to a coffee shop and talk with others working there.

If you are an extrovert and like to be around people, remote work in co-working spaces might suit you better. You can engage with people or attend networking events.

Keep Focused

If you get easily distracted while working, remote working might not be for you, but if you can remove the distractions and focus on being productive, you stand a chance.

While working from home, you will have many distractions, from your TV, a gaming console, and the internet, which can consume much time.

Look at creating a working routine that will keep you focused. One such routine is the Pomodoro Technique, which is particularly popular.

Identify a piece of work, set a timer for 25 minutes, and take a one-minute break when the time is up. Once you’ve done this four times, take a 25-minute break. There are different versions of the technique.

Good Communicator

Having good communication skills is vital as a remote worker. It will help if you become comfortable with tools like Slack and video and audio communication, which come with challenges.

You must communicate with your clients or employer and inform them of milestones while working on tasks and projects.

Keen to Learn New Skills

To make yourself employable, it’s a good idea to be multi-skilled. You have a higher chance of securing remote jobs if you have skills the company can call upon when needed.

As a freelancer, you have options – if work for your primary skill dries up, then you have other skills that you can sell to potential clients.

Sign up for an online course on sites like Skillshare or Udemy. Watch tutorials on YouTube, read articles, and keep informed of changes within your niche. Take time out of your work schedule and learn a new skill.

Change and Improve

If, while reading this guide, you are thinking, remote working is not for me because of the traits required; don’t let that be an excuse for you not to become a remote worker. You can change.

Before quitting my job to work remotely, my routine was non-existent, but that has changed over time.

Start changing your life by creating a daily routine, working in coffee shops, and attending networking events.

Hopefully, this guide has helped you answer the question, is remote work right for you? Any questions? Do not hesitate to contact us.