Working from home can pose unique challenges for professionals in every industry. As many companies have learned this year, some fully-remote team members may find it more difficult to stay engaged when they’re surrounded by the distractions of home. Others tend to overwork and lose touch with their teammates without the typical office interactions they’re accustomed to having.
Remote work requires self-discipline, but you can do it successfully while staying highly engaged with your team if you use the right strategies. If you’re struggling to stay focused and productive in your home office, check out these 12 suggestions from the members of Forbes Coaches Council.
Members offer their best advice on staying engaged when working remotely.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. Move Your Body
Oftentimes, working remotely forces you to sit at a desk or computer for hours at a time. However, your body needs mobility to function optimally, and your brain also needs a break. Taking a brisk walk or simply doing jumping jacks at your desk will help to get your endorphins moving in the right direction. The movement will help you to be fully present when you reengage. - Lori A. Manns, Quality Media Consultant Group LLC
2. Revisit Your ‘Why’ For Meaning And Purpose
Revisit your “why” and look at what gives you meaning and purpose. Ask yourself what is so exciting about your mission and vision that it pulls you out of bed in the morning with focused attention, ready to go. Years ago, I experienced a chronic illness that made me so horribly fatigued, I could barely function. Feeling passionate about serving my clients was the elixir that fueled me. - Roberta Moore, The EQ-i Coach
3. Create A Structure For Yourself And Stick To It
Be sure to include regular breaks and time for exercise and leisure activities as well. While tempting for some people, an ongoing diet of free-form scheduling can lead to reduced productivity. Giving yourself too much freedom can backfire. Apparently, we’re in this for the long haul, which makes structure and predictability increasingly important. - Kathy Bernhard, KFB Leadership Solutions
4. Stay Connected Through Frequent Virtual Interactions
As human beings, we are built for connection, and that connection can happen virtually in so many ways. Do a virtual walking meeting with a colleague where you catch up on each other’s life and work. Connections thrive on frequent interactions. A simple five- to 10-minute check-in can make a big difference. Share humor virtually with a colleague. Laughter builds connections. - Evan Roth, Roth Consultancy International, LLC.
Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
5. Proactively Get To Know Your Colleagues
When working remotely, you have to work harder to create a social community. Be proactive in getting to know your colleagues. Engagement comes from working with a meaningful purpose and having a sense of belonging to a group you trust. Whether you are leading a group or part of the team, don’t be afraid to step up and form appropriate connections and relationships. - Charles Dormer, APEX STP, LLC
6. Start Each Day With An Action List Of Priorities
Structure each day, starting with an action list in priority order that you keep visible. Include what time you’ll end your workday and when you’ll take breaks (or when you will set alarms to do so). If possible, schedule email breaks every few hours so that email doesn’t become your new to-do list. Notice when you are tempted to do noncritical tasks. And reward yourself for sticking with it! - Bonnie Davis, HuWork - Inspiring Humans at Work
7. Strive For Excellence And Continuous Self-Development
Striving for excellence is what we should do to keep ourselves engaged, regardless of the physical distance or lack of thereof. By focusing on continuous self-development and professional growth, we find passion, which will bring us many career benefits down the road, regardless of the setup of our work. - Agata Dulnik, Ph.D., Global Leadership Experts
8. Don’t Disappear
The temptation for many individuals working remotely is to dive into their day-to-day work because they don’t have daily interactions with co-workers on a physical basis. Out of sight is out of mind. Stay in touch, pick up the phone and interact with your teams. Make them remember that you’re a contributing, productive member of the organization. - Scott Singer, Insider Career Strategies
9. Focus On Visibility And Receptivity
If you are a manager or director tasked with leading a remote team, there are two traits you need to focus on to keep those teams productive. The first is visibility. Are you visible and present as a boss? The second is receptivity. Are you listening to your employees’ concerns and suggestions? Being visible and receptive as a leader is paramount when managing remote workers. - G. Riley Mills, Pinnacle Performance Company
10. Work To Understand Your Preferred Operating Model
One size does not fit all; understand your natural rhythm. Too often we fall into the trap of feeling like we need to be always at our desk. Recognize that breaks are good; they can make you more productive. Find your “productive time” and rhythm. Look at yourself critically and be your own advisor for “operational efficiency.” - Faith Fuqua-Purvis, Synergetic Solutions LLC
11. Schedule Social Time Throughout The Day
If you're like most people, working remotely means sitting at your desk for long periods of time, completely engrossed in work. The distractions of the office aren’t there, and you can go hours without stepping away. When this happens, a “mental fog” can set in, making it hard to stay engaged. Instead, schedule social time throughout the day with your co-workers. Recreate those “coffee pot” moments. - Cheryl Czach, Cheryl Czach Coaching and Consulting, LLC
12. Be Intentional About Building Relationships
When working remotely, you want to be more intentional about building relationships with your colleagues, teams and customers. Make that spontaneous phone call just to catch up and see how people are doing. Maintaining meaningful connections is critical for everyone during this time of virtual engagement. - Tonya Echols, Vigere
