In January 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced companies all over the globe to make a quick switch to remote work. Now, in July 2021, many companies have announced  that they will continue following a remote or hybrid work schedule for the remainder of the year to ensure the health and safety of their employees. 

In this article, a global staffing agency will share some tips on how to set yourself up for success while working remotely. 

Create a stellar morning routine
Switch up your routine! Set an alarm and use the extra time to cook a healthy breakfast, drink a warm cup of coffee while you scroll through your LinkedIn feed, or even sneak in a quick early morning workout. Having a strong and consistent morning routine is paramount when it comes to setting yourself up for a successful day ahead.

Dress the part
Although wearing comfortable clothes, like sweats, may seem like a major perk of working from home, a number of studies have shown that, when you dress professionally, you feel more confident and make stronger business decisions.

You can still dress comfortably while looking and feeling your best!  

For client meetings and presentations, it’s always best to dress professionally. Opting for more comfortable business attire when you are not in meetings also works too. 

Set some household ground rules
Ensure that your family members or roommates respect your work schedule and understand when you have important meetings or tight project deadlines. Discussing your work schedule with the people you live with the night before could help lower noise levels in the house and could prevent major disruptions during important team meetings. 

Create an ergonomic work space
Try working in an area of your home that is quiet and has warm or natural lighting. If you’re going to be following a remote or hybrid schedule for a long period of time, invest in a desk and a comfy office chair. You could even shop around for a standing desk if you prefer not to sit all day. Stores like Amazon, Target, and Staples provide affordable options to upgrade your home office.

Some companies even offer work-from-home office arrangements, which is another perk for the new workforce. 

Now that you have your own personal workspace, you can customize it in a way that makes you more comfortable and productive each day. 

Communicate with your team daily
Whether you’re working remotely or in an office setting, communicate with your team daily! Provide project updates, check-in on your colleagues to see if they need any help, ask questions, and, of course, continue to be innovative and pitch new ideas that will help your company flourish. 

You may not be able to walk over to your colleague’s desk everyday, but applications such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Hangouts have made communication in this new world of remote work easier than ever.

Stick to your normal work hours
If possible, try to stick to the hours you worked pre-covid times. If this has been a struggle for you, you’re not alone! Knowing when to “sign off for the day” has actually been one of the greatest challenges faced in this new world of remote work. Falling into this trap too often could cause a major burnout down the road… which could significantly lower your energy levels, creativity, and productivity.  

      Here are a few recommendations:  

• Make a to-do list each day and stick to it
• Turn off your email notifications or sign out of work-related apps after hours 

Stay aligned with your company culture
You may not be working next to your colleagues everyday and attending company events, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about your company culture. Participate in team meetings, attend virtual lunches and happy hours, join an office committee, and communicate with your colleagues daily. It may also help to make your company’s core values your computer screensaver, as a constant reminder.