What do you do if you're struggling to adapt to remote work challenges?

One needs to first understand the priorities at personal front and professional front. Communicate the boundaries at both ends so you can well manage them and keep a balance between work and personal time. Try and use tools which would assist you to save time and help you to work with better results. Also at remote set-up one needs to take of his/her mental health. ensure you practice modes suitable for you to nourish your mental health.

Understanding "why" is the first step to address the struggle to adapt to remote work. In a post-COVID era most people are well adapted into remote work, many even prefer it. But I understand there are exceptions. In cases where working remotely is a challenge it is important to analyze the reason and take an action. The reality is that whatever reason it might be, it can be addressed with effort and discipline: whether is upskilling yourself, having clear boundaries, self care, etc.. Remote work can be a real good thing. However it after all of that it still doesn't work for you, it is time to find another in-person opportunity elsewhere.

When assessing the needs in a remote work-setting it can be helpful to look at three different levels. 1. Personal needs: what do I need in order to do my best work? Here we can consider everything from communication to, health, movement, etc. 2. Team needs: what does the team need in order to do it's best work together? What does the task require of us? 3. Client/user needs: what is do the needs and demands of our users and clients ask? With those three levels in mind it becomes easier to lay the puzzle of how to create a common structure based on the prevailing needs.

The first step when you're struggling to adapt to remote work is to identify your specific challenge. What are the specific aspects of remote working is bothering you? Is it your motivation, communication barriers or balancing work & personal life? When you have these specific challenges identified is when you can then shift and find a solution for your issues. In reality, working remotely can be difficult, but your challenges can disappear when you pinpoint what they are and make a continuous effort to solve them. It is worthwhile to write a list and tackle each issue seperately, so you can understand which issue is the priority.

Figure out what worked well in the office, so you can better understand exactly what you require. 1. Was it the people around you that motivated you? That office vibe helped you get into a rhythm? If it was the social aspect, then find ways to reintroduce that back whilst remote working i.e - scheduling virtual catch ups, seeing if you can work from a colleague's house or at a co-working space/coffee shop. 2. Was being in the office better at separating personal/home tasks? Again, find ways to reintroduce those boundaries into your day-to-day. Taking yourself to a dedicated office in your house. Only checking your phone during your 'lunch break'

Establecer límites claros en el trabajo remoto, como definir horarios específicos y comunicarlos a colegas, es fundamental para prevenir la extensión del trabajo a horas personales y asegurar el cumplimiento de las regulaciones laborales. Además, la creación de un espacio de trabajo dedicado ayuda a mantener un equilibrio saludable entre la vida laboral y personal, esencial para la productividad y bienestar.

Working remote means you are working. "I'm working" is a simple phrase I've found helps people understand that just because I'm at my home office or a local coffee shop doesn't mean I can drop everything to hang out. Remote work often provides flexibility on-location jobs can't, but it can be difficult in two ways: - People want 24/7 access to your time - Or work bleeds into personal time To help with this, I typically use standard working hours for work. If I'm asked to do something outside of work during working hours, my answer is usually, "I'm working, but thanks!" I try not to do paid work after 5pm or so in order to live a healthy, well-rounded life. And as one of my favorite business YouTubers says, "You've got this!"

Keep a structure to your day, such as getting up at the same time each day, walking the dog, exercise time, work time, meal time just as if you were physically going into the office. Set times for work just as if you were in the office. Maintain regular connections with work mates and strive to be as productive working remotely as in the office. You might be surprised that by focussing on being productive and not what is missing might actually make things flow better.

Setting boundaries can be easy, but keeping them is much harder. To keep myself from wavering some of the things I do is make plans for after work, put my 'Out of Office' on from 6pm and outside of my working hours, I turn off work notifications.

Une fois au travail, je suis à fond ! Mais ce n'est pas pour autant qu'il faut en oublier le reste du monde. Le rapport espace-temps est un élément essentiel pour se fixer des limites. L'espace : avoir un endroit isolé, dédié, où les autres savent que je travaille et que je ne dois pas être dérangée Le temps : autant mes heures de début de journée peuvent varier suivant les projets en cours, autant se lister ce qui doit être invariable est crucial : heure de fin de journée particulièrement, surtout lorsqu'on a une famille de 3 enfants. Je me suis engagée à finir le plus possible à 18h, et maximum à 18h30. Je tiens de mieux en mieux ;)

Identifying areas for improvement is the crucial first step. Seek guidance from mentors who possess expertise in the domains you aim to enhance. Their insights can illuminate the path forward, offering invaluable advice and direction. The digitalization has brought in many learning opportunities. Online courses, hosted on reputable platforms, like Google, IBM, MIT , Harvard Coursera, Edx etc. supports diverse career aspirations. By enrolling in courses aligned with your goals, you not only acquire new skills, but also earn certificates that distinguish you from your peers. These credentials serve as badges of proficiency, enhancing your professional profile and positioning you for future advancements.

Building on my experience ( spent 15 months working fully remote ), it is important to devote time to 1:1 engagements with key colleagues you will be investing most of your time working together. Use those spaces to build rapport and empathy by sharing more about the context that surrounds you, your background, your motives and aspirations, and - of course - how to go about your common tasks and endeavors.

Regular communication is key. If something is not working it is important to make it known. Be careful and take care with written communication to avoid misunderstandings. If you strive to keep the lines of communication open with work mates, it will only be for the benefit of all. If it is possible to have regular face to face meetings with food if possible, once in awhile that will help keep the connections fresh.

Remote work often removes the haphazard nature of office relationships. As you can's simply run into someone or hope to see them at lunch. This means a key aspect of effective communication is intention. You have to consider which relationships matter to you for work (or personally) and intentionally invest in them. Another key parameter is regularity. You can do this by setting up meetings and creating habits around reaching out. The rhythm of this will depend on the nature of your preferences, work and desires.

I am an individual who loves connection, and I have found that without it it can really affect my mood, productivity and mental health. As a result of this, I have a short calls automatically scheduled with a few individuals throughout the week and a few more every 3 weeks. This means I know I'll get the opportunity to connect with my colleague and I can plan my time around it.

Communiquer et rester connecté: Communiquez régulièrement avec votre manager et vos collègues. Utilisez des outils de communication tels que la messagerie instantanée, les visioconférences et les e-mails pour rester en contact. Participez aux réunions virtuelles et aux événements d'équipe. Cela vous aidera à vous sentir connecté à votre équipe et à votre entreprise. Tissez des relations avec vos collègues. Faites des efforts pour apprendre à connaître vos collègues, même si vous ne les rencontrez pas en personne. N'hésitez pas à demander de l'aide si vous en avez besoin. Votre manager et vos collègues sont là pour vous soutenir.

When working remotely, try keeping a daily check-in journal to track your wellbeing and identify gaps in consistency, progress, joy, connection, etc. Try choosing and making note in your journal of: a word of the day, a self-care act, bodily movement, nutrition goal, 3 tasks, 3 things you’re grateful for, 3 dreams you’re working towards, 3 thoughts or anxieties you’re holding, and 3 people you will intentionally build rapport or relationship with while remote. The routine we begin our days with set the tone and checking in can provide accountability to create positive habits that increase wellbeing while working remotely.

Consider a coach or other partner to help you create new routines within your days. There is an opportunity to define what you need, in all the buckets of your priorities, and what wellbeing means for you. Structure helps us feel comfortable and manage competing factors, sometimes we need assistance to work through how to build this, especially in times of change.

Maintaining wellbeing is crucial as we adapt to remote work, a landscape where natural office breaks are scarce. Gill Hasson and Donna Butler emphasize that extended sitting without breaks can erode both physical and mental health. Therefore, integrating regular movement and ergonomic practices at your workstation is vital to reduce physical strain. Additionally, mental health should not be overlooked. Engage in mindfulness and connect through virtual social activities to foster a positive mindset, crucial for navigating the remote work environment effectively.

Try not to book 'back to back to back' virtual calls. Either structurally block time to disconnect and/or catch up with other matters, or plan to have meetings shortened so you can have mini breaks in-between.

Never underestimate the importance of a good routine. By working from home, you cut out many parts of your day, but in cutting things out, you can loose key habits that make you feel like you've accomplished something. Try to make new habits such as a daily walk, cooking at lunchtimes and (importantly) taking breaks.

Working remotely can be issue, as you can feel quite lonely. It is important to remember that you are not alone and others most likely feel the same. Seek support from colleagues to combat your feeling. Maintain productivity, as working remote can be met with a lot of distractions. Working remotely can blue the boundaries between work and personal life and can lead to stress and burnout. Seek support from colleagues to provide emotional support and encouragement, so your mental health is prioritized. It is worthwhile to seek human interaction when you have time. For example, always see a friend in the weekend and be productive, so you feel connected. Seeking support when working remote is essential to stay connected and feel supported.

Du point de vue managérial, le travail à distance nécessite une grande écoute. De temps en temps, je peux alerter sur le fait que je ne vois pas assez mes collègues. Or, en télétravail, l'enjeu n'est pas simplement de voir du monde de temps en temps, mais aussi de côtoyer ses collègues, de vivre des choses ensemble, pour mieux se connaître et donc mieux collaborer. En visio ça se fait, mais les temps informels sont très courts. Trop courts parfois. Aujourd'hui, avec ma manager, on a un rituel qui s'appelle le Morning Meeting. Cela peut durer 5mn comme 50mn suivant les sujets à traiter. Et c'est l'occasion pour moi d'exprimer mon humeur du jour et elle d'en tenir compte. C'est très précieux.

Remember that habits take time to form, so if you don't feel settled right away, that's okay. A little bit of progress to feeling more comfortable everyday will make a difference after a few weeks. Focus on your goals, what you're building and the lifestyle you want.

An effective way to engage is doing service projects to aid the local community. This provides an opportunity to become better acquainted with team members in a more relaxed environment. If people are too geographically dispersed discussion forums/ hobby share groups can be used to create networking opportunities.