During the dawn of the 2020s, the traditional boundaries of the office have expanded into the living room, the local coffee shop, and anywhere with a stable internet connection.
Remote work, once considered the exception, has quickly become the norm for many organizations. However, the shift from the hustle and bustle of office corridors to the solitude of home offices is not always smooth.
There are inherent challenges that come with remote work, but identifying these obstacles and their corresponding remedies can significantly improve the remote work experience.
The ghost of isolation and loneliness
The first challenge arises in the form of isolation and loneliness, the unwelcome guests of remote work. No more quick chats at the coffee machine or shared lunch breaks, replaced by a quiet workspace without human interaction. This lack of community camaraderie can leave remote workers feeling disconnected and disconnected.
A survey of 2,000 office workers in the United States and the United Kingdom found that more than two-thirds of workers aged 18 to 34 (67%) say that since working from home, they find it harder to make friends and maintain relationships with their colleagues.
The antidote to this struggle lies in intentionally fostering connections. Regularly scheduled virtual team meetings can bring back a semblance of togetherness, while informal virtual get-togethers can provide a space for informal chats and bonding.
Collaboration tools can be leveraged to create virtual “water cooler” spaces where team members can share ideas or discuss non-work related topics, revitalizing the essence of office camaraderie.
Communicative and collaborative puzzles
In remote work scenarios, communication and collaboration often become complex puzzles. Without the benefit of in-person interactions, miscommunications become frequent, critical updates can be missed, and collaborative tasks can become chaotic.
The remedy to these problems is in the embrace efficient communication tools and establishing clear protocols. Video conferencing tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, collaborative platforms like Slack or project management tools like Asana can streamline team interactions.
Cultivating a culture of open communication and regular updates is essential. It can be as simple as a weekly summary email or as sophisticated as a shared project dashboard.
Dilemmas of distraction
The house, while comfortable, is loaded with distractions. Whether it’s noisy neighbors, attention-seeking pets, or the ever-growing pile of laundry, these interruptions can throw a wrench in the gears of productivity and focus.
On top of all this, there are many digital distractions.
While remote workers are not expected to work 100% of the time, it seems that many workers are too distracted working at home. This distraction causes remote employees to spend work hours doing non-work related activities.
According to ExpressVPN’s survey of remote work problems, some remote employees waste 67% of their work week doing non-work tasks. These tasks include things like online shopping, online gambling, and even searching for other jobs. surprisingly, this amounts to more than 1,400 lost working hours per year per employee.
This waste of time is detrimental to entrepreneurs, contract workers and employees. As a business owner, you may be wasting valuable time. As an employee, you risk losing your job for not using your paid hours for work-related tasks.
One solution is to set physical and time boundaries. Creating a dedicated, distraction-free workspace and setting strict work schedules can help separate work from personal life.
Online, use productivity apps and extensions to block distracting sites while you work.
Reducing a routine
When we work outside the home, there are many things we need to take into account in order to be at our desks and ready to work on time. We have to be in bed at a certain time so we can wake up on time. We also have to get ready for work and possibly get the kids ready for school.
Then we have to factor in travel time, an extra 15 minutes to stop at Starbucks and leave a reservation in case something comes up that delays our plans. All of this is possible because we have daily routines that keep things in line.
However, when we work remotely, these routines seem to be thrown out the window.
The Conciliation Act: Integration of work and family life
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto: https://www.pexels.com/photo/young-ethnic-woman-trying-to-work-at-home-with-active-children-4474040/
Ironically, a major struggle of working remotely is drawing a clear line between work life and personal life. When your office is also your home, it’s easy to push boundaries, leading to overwork and ultimately burnout.
- Compartmentalize work and staff by having a separate space to work.
- Designated work hours must be respected by other people in your household.
- Personal time must be free from work-related intrusions.
- Take scheduled breaks.
- Have one laptop for personal use and one for business.
During your free time, continue with the hobbies you enjoy. Preferably, those outside the home so you can get away from the environment where you work most.
Technological battle
In the field of remote work, technology is both an ally and a potential adversary. While it allows us to work from virtually anywhere, technical glitches, software problems, or an unstable Internet connection can disrupt workflows and cause stress.
Ensuring a stable technology environment can reduce these disruptions. This includes investing in a reliable business laptop, ensuring a strong Internet connection, and having technical support on standby. Also, having a backup plan, such as an alternate device or a list of nearby locations with public Wi-Fi, can provide a safety net when technical issues arise.
Drought recognition and feedback Fam
In a remote environment, workers often face a lack of immediate feedback and recognition. The absence of these can lead to a decrease in motivation and a feeling of not being valued. one of the reasons for low employee participation in the workplace is the lack of adequate recognition and feedback. Leaders who make it a habit not to practice giving their employees the feedback and recognition they need can also see their company’s employee retention decrease.
To counter this, managers should aim to provide consistent and constructive feedback and recognize workers’ efforts. Celebrating small wins, recognizing individual contributions during team meetings, or even a simple thank you note can help keep remote workers motivated and engaged.
Professional development issues
Finally, remote workers may worry about missing out on opportunities due to the “out of sight, out of mind” syndrome. They may feel that their chances of advancement are smaller compared to their office counterparts.
Organizations should ensure remote workers equal opportunities for professional development. Regular one-on-one career conversations, access to online training, and equal consideration for new projects and roles can help alleviate these concerns.
conclusion
Remote work, while offering unparalleled flexibility, comes with a unique set of challenges. By understanding these struggles and applying thoughtful strategies, remote work can be just as, if not more, effective than traditional office work.
It calls for a proactive approach, focused on communication, setting clear boundaries, leveraging technology optimally, and cultivating a culture of recognition and professional growth. The winds of change are upon us and with the right navigational tools, we can smoothly navigate the tumultuous seas of remote work.
Tom is a member of the StartUp Mindset editorial team. He has over 6 years of experience writing about business, entrepreneurship and other topics. It mainly focuses on online businesses, digital publishing, marketing and e-commerce startups.
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Item tags:
Company Culture · Entrepreneurial Lifestyle · Find Your Way · Grow Your Business · Mindset · Personal Development · Productivity · Your Mindset
Article categories:
Entrepreneurial Lifestyle · Find Your Way · Grow Your Business · Productivity · Sales · Your Mindset
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As the modern workforce becomes increasingly accustomed to and comfortable with remote work, companies of all sizes are taking advantage of the flexibility and cost savings. However, remote work can present its own unique set of challenges. Ikaroa, a full-stack technology firm, has identified the biggest struggles of working remotely and provides ways to overcome them.
One of the biggest struggles of remote working is decreased communication and collaboration between colleagues. It can be difficult to maintain the same sense of team spirit or to develop human connections when no one is physically present. To ensure that team members remain connected, Ikaroa recommends using video calls more than ever. This helps to mimic the in-person meetings that would usually take place in an office environment. Additionally, tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams help to keep communication lines open and organized.
Another common challenge of remote working is difficulty in staying motivated and productive. Working from home can be disrupted by distractions such as televisions, social media, or household duties. Ikaroa advises setting a consistent work schedule and sticking to it, setting clear objectives and goals, dedicating a designated workspace or office, and scheduling frequent breaks. Breaks are especially important for mentally and emotionally recharging and staying focused.
Finally, remote workers often struggle to disconnect from work and find the necessary “me” time. But it is essential to the development of emotional and psychological wellbeing. Ikaroa encourages workers to try to create a work-life balance by delineating when working hours end. It is also important to create an intentional space for relaxation where family and even friends can still be a part of the remote working lifestyle.
From decreased communication and collaboration to trouble staying motivated, there can be plenty of challenges that come with working remotely. However, with a few simple steps, companies like Ikaroa have discovered ways to overcome them and ensure that remote working not only remains successful but also serves to further enrich their workforce.
