How to Work Remotely and Not be Forgotten by Those in the Office

Working remotely can be a great opportunity for you if you want to ditch your commute and budget your own time. It can give you the flexibility to work from anywhere you desire and while this can be intimidating it can also be rewarding.

But maybe you’re on the fence and afraid of branching out on your own and you don’t have a clue about remote work and the process. Maybe you’re afraid that the people in the main headquarters and office will forget you exist. Hopefully the following tips will help you get you on your way to the lifestyle and career that lets you work, literally, anywhere you want.

Tip #1: Have the Proper Equipment

To even begin your remote career, there are essentials that you will need. For starters, you will need to have a computer. A laptop is preferred because it can go anywhere you go.

You will also need a good Wi-Fi connection. Plus, you can work at any place that has free Wi-Fi.

Make sure you know how to use certain Office programs for writing and collaborating with teammates regardless of your location such as Microsoft Office or Google Docs. Get familiar with these types of programs because these will be your bread and butter. Also, have a printer to print out documents if needed.

Tip #2: Manage Your Time and Place for Projects

Time management is something you will have to come to grips with. Because you’re not in a traditional office setting, you won’t have a boss hanging over your head checking on your work. You will have to do that on your own as you meet deadlines for your projects.

When you obtain a project, make sure you set a certain time in the day to work on it. Are you an early bird or are you a night owl? Even if you don’t have your own personal office to work in, you will want to have a designated place that you can do your best work without distractions. Do you like to work at home at your kitchen table or on your favorite sofa with your feet up or at a favorite coffee shop with your morning brew in hand?

Test out when and where you can work. See what works for you. Everyone has their unique way of working. Also make sure you meet your deadlines for when a project is due and be sure to hit these deadlines, if you don’t—say goodbye to working remotely.

Tip #3 Communicate with the Main Office

This is probably the most important on this list. You want to make sure that you have constant dialogue with your employer and your team. Often, your boss will send emails over to you for updates on upcoming events or projects so make sure you check and respond to your email in a timely fashion.

This is also a good opportunity to ask questions about certain projects with the team and network with other staff. All of this attributes to good working relationships within the company even if you are working from home. Always be polite and respectful when communicating with the same attitude that you would have if you were in a traditional office setting.

Remote work can be a challenge but it can be really enjoyable as well. Having the right gear and mindset will help you be successful.