Avoid These 3 Mistakes When Going Remote

The rise of remote work has caused a significant impact on the workplace in South Africa, with more employees seeking work-from-home opportunities. As companies increasingly shift towards remote work, the idea of working from home, coffee shops, or a remote office space has become more appealing to many. However, before jumping into the remote work trend, there are a few things to consider. Let’s take a closer look at three mistakes to avoid when going remote.

Not Establishing a Routine

One of the biggest mistakes people make when transitioning to remote work is not establishing a routine. In an office setting, a built-in routine comes with commuting, office hours, and social interactions with colleagues. Without this routine, it’s easy to become unproductive and fall behind on tasks. To avoid this, it’s crucial to establish a routine that works for you. This may include setting regular working hours, taking breaks at the same time every day, and scheduling time for exercise, hobbies, and personal errands. A routine can help you stay focused and productive while providing structure to your day.

A remote office space provides a structured environment with dedicated office hours, eliminating the need to create your own routine from scratch. Additionally, the physical separation of work from home can help create a clear boundary and improve focus during work hours.

Not Connecting with People

Remote work can be isolating, and it’s important to make an effort to stay connected with colleagues and friends. When working remotely, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the company culture, miss out on important information, or struggle to collaborate with team members. To overcome this, ensure that you stay connected with your colleagues through regular communication. This may include participating in virtual meetings, using collaboration tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams, and scheduling virtual coffee breaks or happy hours. Staying connected can help you maintain strong relationships with your colleagues and feel more engaged with your work.

Shared office spaces offer opportunities to network and socialise with other professionals, creating a sense of community and fostering social connections. These spaces often provide virtual communication tools, such as video conferencing software and collaborative workspaces, to make it easier to stay connected with remote colleagues.

Failing to create a productive workspace

When working remotely, it’s important to create a productive workspace that is conducive to getting work done without distractions. Create a dedicated workspace that is separate from the rest of your home. This may include setting up a home office or renting a desk at a shared office. Make sure your workspace is well-lit, comfortable, and free from distractions. A productive workspace can help you stay focused and productive while working remotely. Without a dedicated workspace, it’s easy to get distracted by household chores, family members, social media, TV, or a variety of other distractions. Therefore, it’s crucial to be intentional about carving out a dedicated workspace.

A remote office space provides a professional, distraction-free environment with all the necessary amenities, including high-speed internet, office furniture, and office equipment. This can help create a dedicated workspace, increasing productivity and reducing distractions that can arise from working from home.

Remote office spaces

Remote work can be a great option for many people, but it’s important to consider all the factors before making the leap. Avoiding the three mistakes we discussed – not establishing a routine, not connecting with people, and not creating a productive workspace – can help you make the most of your remote work experience, whether you choose to work from home or a shared office.

If you’re a freelancer, independent professional, entrepreneur or a remote worker, finding a space like Venture Workspace in Fourways is ideal to provide you with an environment that will foster productivity and a comfortable workplace away from home or the office. Contact us today to book your spot!