How do you overcome the challenges and drawbacks of remote work?

Instead of setting a boundary for your life, set one for your work. Plan your non-work time into your calendar before you plan anything else. Because of Parkinson’s Law, there will always be more work you could be doing. “If you plan a life, you’ll live a life” #ThatIsAll

Define your work day whether working remotely or in the office. Have a clock within view or set an alarm to let you know when to take a break or end your day. It’s easy to blur the lines and work over time. Once in a while to meet a deadline is not a big deal but if you do this regularly you will burn out. Remember to get enough sleep, take a break and get a short walk. Most people do better with a regular schedule.

This has been my biggest challenge with having a hybrid schedule. I chose to set up my workspace “out of the way” where I can’t see the other things going on in my house which allows me better focus. I make sure to grab multiple drinks to keep in my workspace so that I am not getting up and noticing other things that need to be done around the house. Then I make sure I am not turning on my work phone or laptop until start of day and that I force myself to shut it completely off at the end of the day. My staff also know that I’m off hours I don’t answer calls or respond to texts unless they are working odd hours and have made me aware because I want to help them set boundaries around their work hours as well.

Keep it simple. Write down the SINGLE thing that you are working on right now (5 words or less) and keep it in front of you until done. It's like having a best friend there reminding you to do that thing until you complete it. It helps you feel accomplished and launch to the next thing.

Most people invite waste into their day by misusing their calendar; to store only meetings, leaving all other space blank. This leads to procrastination or succumbing to unnecessary interruptions. If you plan other things into your calendar too (like your job), you’re far more likely to stay focussed. Look at the 10-habits of the Diary Detox® method for a simple approach to this.

Naps are trendy. Just a few minutes of downtime or a quick walk around the neighborhood can change your energy and emotion in the day.

This comes back to the point I made above, plan you personal time #BlueBehaviour before anything else to avoid neglecting yourself.

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I experienced quite the opposite. Since I work remotely, I am able to tailor my celebrations to suit my own unique personality. I actually have more fun when I'm able to enjoy quiet time alone. When I want to celebrate, I enjoy making art to acknowledge whatever it is I am celebrating. I wouldn't be able to do that in a traditional office setting.

This is a negative perspective on remote work, is it full of challenges and drawbacks or are the challenges of office-based work greater? Office-based... - interruptions, cause loss of focus so tasks take longer! - the commute: cost, time, disruptions (strikes, protests, accidents) + social interaction, ability to see body language rather than it being hidden behind a camera, phone etc. numerous mutual benefits for both. Should the discussion be Time Management, the benefits of hybrid working?

Meetings don't have to be boring... With remote working making catching up by the coffee machine, nipping off for a natter at the storecupboard or gossiping by the water cooler things of the past. It can be so easy to let relationships with colleagues slide and perhaps a sensation of isolation takes over. I find it important to set aside some time each week to have a virtual meeting just to chat with team members and colleagues about anything that is not work-related. Catching up, and keeping in touch on a purely social level helps people to feel included and valued.