3 Tips for Balanced and Productive Remote Work

Written By

Corporate Ink

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, most communications and marketing professionals are able to work from the comfort and safety of their own homes. And although remote work has peaked during the time of coronavirus, it is actually a fairly widespread practice in the industry. In fact, roughly 70 percent of people across the globe work remotely at least one day a week on average.

Those who are already accustomed to working at home may have adapted to the shift to remote-only work easily than those with less experience. No matter your experience level with working outside of an office environment, however, there are always challenges in finding the right balance of structure and productivity.

Corporate Ink offers a few tips to create an ideal remote work experience:

3 Tips to Successful Remote Work

• Designate a Work Space

Working at a space like your kitchen table or living room couch can easily result in distractions. And continuously packing and moving your work materials from different spaces in your home can be cumbersome and break your focus. Instead, designate a specific space as your at-home work setting. This will help you eliminate distractions and set your mindset to work-mode.

• Collaborate Regularly Through Technology

Studies show that loneliness can actually impact productivity, and during times of social distancing, this effect can be even more pronounced. When working remotely, casual conversations with co-workers happen less frequently but that doesn’t mean that they have to be eliminated entirely.

Turn to technology like Slack or other instant messaging tools for those light and quick conversations. For meetings or collaborative sessions, tap into video conferencing tools like Zoom to add more of the personal, human touch to the interaction. Using these technologies consistently can help your team stay connected and engaged. 

• Schedule Breaks

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is particularly difficult when working remotely because there is not a physical separation from your work and home. When working in an office setting, it is easy to take cues from others to take a break and recharge during lunch or coffee breaks. At home, however, many feel obligated to work longer hours and be available the entire day.

Scheduling designated breaks through the day can actually help your mind refresh and stay focused. Make an effort to block off time on your calendar for lunch, coffee, or exercise.

Read all of Corporate Ink’s tips for making the most of remote work.

Corporate Ink is an integrated B2B, PR and content marketing agency located in Boston. Their team of professionals works with clients to build brands, generate demand and accelerate growth. With clients in industries including supply chain management, industrial and manufacturing, healthcare, marketing and travel technology, Corporate Ink has over 30 years of trusted expertise.