4 Common Problems People Have When First Working Remotely

One of the best things about human beings is the fact that we are all unique. Some people for example, thrive under pressure, whereas others buckle. Some prefer to stay busy and active, whereas others are happier to relax, unwind, and enjoy their own company. One thing that is for certain, is the fact that right now, we all need to come together, do what is asked of us, and stay home in order to ‘flatten the curve’ and prevent this awful virus from spreading and causing further devastation. Many of us are therefore being asked to work remotely, I.E from home. Now, as mentioned earlier, because we are all different, whereas some people work better at home, others struggle.

If you’re struggling to adapt to remote working, you certainly aren’t alone. Here’s a look at 4 common problems people have when first working remotely.

Feeling isolated

Remember, despite some of us preferring a quieter, more secluded way of life, we human beings are social creatures through nature. Since the dawn of time there has been safety in numbers, and we have socialized and interacted with other people. Suddenly, we find ourselves isolated and being forced to stay away from people in order to prevent the pandemic from worsening and many of us are struggling. If you find yourself feeling alone and isolated and craving human interaction, make use of video calling technology and download apps which encourage human interaction.

Being distracted

Okay, when you’re at work, you’re surrounded by other people who are there to do the same thing as you, and that is, well, work. Not only that, but you also have bosses and supervisors there to oversee things, and if you slack off and waste time you run the risk of disciplinary action or losing your job. Now, at home, there are no bosses, no supervisors, no CCTV or time tracking software, and distractions are all around you. From a productivity standpoint, this is far from ideal. If you find yourself distracted, put down your phone and avoid social media, and if possible, explain to any other members of the household that you shouldn’t be disturbed.

No structure

In order to be as productive in the workplace as possible, you need to make sure that your working day has plenty of structure. Too many people during this lockdown will simply wake up in a morning and see how they feel on the day when it comes to working. At work, you likely don’t get to choose which jobs you do and don’t do, so why should things at home be any different?

Before you begin work for the day, plan your day out to give it some structure. 9am – 10am could be for answering emails, whereas 10am – 12.30pm could be to work on an important project with an impending deadline, and so on. By splitting your day into sections and giving it structure you know exactly what you’re doing from one minute to the next.

Uncomfortable working conditions

Comfort is key to working from home, and no, that doesn’t mean you should work in your pyjamas. In order to be productive, you need to be comfortable when working. This means investing in a good quality desk and office chair. You may even wish to consider a standing desk. If you find that your back and neck are stiff and painful, work will be the last thing on your mind because you’re in so much discomfort.

Create a comfortable and organized workspace and you’ll be amazed by what a difference it can make.