Few know what to expect as millions of workers worldwide begin telecommuting for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They only see the image propagated by the “Work from home!” ads that litter the Internet.
I’ve been working from home for over a decade, first as an employee, then as a freelancer and virtual business owner. As a digital nomad and ex-pat, I’ve lived on three continents during that time. And, as much as I enjoy my lifestyle, it comes with a slew of hidden challenges that sexy advertisements fail to mention.
Managers and executives do not implement “tiresome” workplace policies, dress codes and standard working hours.
On the other hand, these policies help employees work more efficiently and keep businesses profitable. And that work-from-home rhetoric breeds misconceptions about what telecommuting is like, contributing to the high rate of business failure among business owners and lack of performance among several telecommuting employees.
If you’re new to telecommuting or considering it, be aware of the risks and challenges listed below. The better you identify them, the easier it will be to facilitate them and prosper as a remote employee or small-business owner.
Teamwork challenges when working remotely
First, we’ll look at some of the most common remote work challenges for teams. These are the difficulties remote teams frequently face when collaborating effectively from multiple places and the challenges that team managers face when attempting to get the most out of everyone.
Project management
The most challenging aspect of remote working is managing projects when your team is dispersed across multiple locations. Managers are responsible for meeting deadlines and targets, whether they have a mix of in-house and remote employees or an entire group of remote workers.
Communication is much more difficult without a physical presence, and maintaining track of individual tasks is challenging, particularly for complex projects and large groups.
How to Solve This Issue
Fortunately, there are tools for almost every problem that a remote team manager might face. Above all, you’ll require project management software to assign tasks and track progress.
Work Prioritization
Even though we don’t have others constantly watching over our work or managing our time, remote workers must be self-motivated time management experts. While it can be difficult for any worker to stick to a schedule and manage their to-do list, it is especially difficult for remote employees who have much more flexible, free-form days and supervisors in different parts of the world.
Controlling your work is difficult enough. And then there is the constant distraction to watch one episode of your favourite show all through your break at work, clean up in the kitchen once you’re procrastinating on a venture, or take your dog out for a walk because they’re pleading. It’s suddenly evening, and you’ve accomplished nothing for the day.
What is the best way to approach this issue?
Frogs should be eaten. Eat that frog first thing in the morning when you get to work. Mark Twain said once that the first thing you do every day is to eat a live frog, you could go through the day with the comfort of knowing that that is possibly the worst thing that will occur to you all day lengthy, Your ‘frog’ is your most important objective, the one you should be most likely to get distracted on if you do nothing.
Limit the variety of tasks you intend to complete each day. Can use Eisenhower sequence to avoid time-wasting tasks and determine which tasks to complete next. Or follow the 1-3-5 rule and do one big thing, three medium things, and five small things per day.
Install distraction-reducing software. To help you stay centred at work, try one of these tools.
Manage your energy rather than your time. You improve by pushing your practice, not yourself during low power; Your energy levels fluctuate throughout the day, so prioritize tasks based on how much of your channel capacity they will consume and how much you will be able to stay focused at various points throughout the day.
Distracting factors
Perhaps if you have a regular plan and a dedicated workspace, staying fruitful during your work time can be difficult if you work from home.
It’s difficult to concentrate when surrounded by personal possessions and reminders of chores. Distractions such as television, books, and laundry begin to beckon you.
Despite having planned to work until 12:30 before taking a break for lunch, you find an excuse to leave early. If your family members are also present, they will not hesitate to interrupt you at every opportunity.
One of the numerous reasons I avert working from home is to avoid distractions and maintain a clear separation between my work and personal lives.
How to Avoid Being Distracted
Understanding what props, states, and when to use each will be critical. These are the
It can help to separate oneself into a different home office physically. However, make sure that your work area is free of distractions. You succumb to the less easily when there is no TV or books around.
Noise-cancelling headphones can assist you in avoiding auditory distractions such as your children playing or your partner watching your favourite show.
Set ground rules with your family to not bother you while you’re working remotely. Instruct them to act as if they were at work.
Then, research other ways to avoid distraction while working from home, as it poses a far more significant challenge than most office workers believe.
Physical Irritation in the Home Office
Many employers put ergonomics first when purchasing chairs and desks. As a result, you may limit issues related to physical discomfort, which can lead to decreased productivity and increased absenteeism. On the other hand, remote workers may not have access to adequate equipment, resulting in physical discomfort in the long run.
How to Solve This Issue
Employers may have to suck it up and invest in desks, seats, and other hardware for their staff members to use when working abroad in many cases. It can be beneficial to take the need to teach your workforce about physical discomfort issues – such as how to sit, place their screen, and the significance of light. Read our guide to establishing a productive home workspace to thoroughly analyze all of these variables.
Problems with Teamwork and Collaboration
Your workforce’s physical distance and reliance on distributed employees can cause collaboration issues. On the other hand, employees miss out on chance encounters that frequently spark new ideas. These different challenges may then affect your group’s innovation and creativity.
How to Solve This Issue
While digital teamwork is rapidly evolving, it is also critical that employees have the necessary hardware. Displays optimized for video conferences will help remote team members collaborate more effectively online. Again, Microsoft Project and comparable software products play an essential role in remote collaboration, but management must pay close attention to discussions designed to motivate widespread participation.
Final Word
Telecommuting has numerous advantages, ranging from eliminating the daily commute to having a more flexible schedule to living and working anywhere else in the world. But don’t be fooled by the hype; it still takes effort, and with every positive and significant task.
This is especially true for workers in industries that haven’t broadly accepted virtual business strategies but were forced to do so during the COVID-19 outbreak. For instance, many of my mates are educators, and they are all struggling with telecommuting because their schools have no or limited online teaching resources.
You must create your framework and procedures in the absence of the repeated occasions by a traditional workplace. If you want the flexibility to work from everywhere, be prepared to take on additional responsibilities.
