HACKS TO DEFEAT REMOTE WORKPLACE BURNOUT

HOW TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE WHILE MAINTAINING HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

HACKS TO DEFEAT REMOTE WORKPLACE BURNOUT

This morning on my bike ride I was thinking about challenges facing leaders of today that are working from home. I’ve worked remotely since 1995 and know intimately the many challenges facing remote workers. Technology has changed dramatically since the days of thermal fax machines and analog phone lines, but many challenges remain the same.
 
Things like …
 
Effective time management, communication with team members, leveraging the latest technology so it doesn’t prevent productivity, remaining visible to the team members and associates, impromptu workplace gab sessions, and knowing when to turn off the office lights, all remain at the top in 2021.
 
I admit, at times, I still struggle with closing my office door at the end of the day. After twenty-six years, I have to remain mindful of my priorities and what’s most important, so I don’t pull all-nighter’s seven days a week.

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Do you also have a hard time identifying when to stop working?
 
With no commute or way to leave the office, it can be hard to separate your work and personal life. After all, we can check work emails, chat with co-workers on Slack, or do work anytime and anywhere. It’s easy to keep working into the night, well past the time you committed to finishing up. Unplugging at the end of the day is important. If you don’t, you’ll feel like you’re on call 24/7.

THREE HACKS TO DEFEAT REMOTE WORKPLACE BURNOUT

1. Schedule electronic interruptions.
Instant notifications that alert us to incoming texts and emails can help us be more productive, but they can also have the opposite effect on performance. Research shows that it takes twenty minutes to refocus and reengage on a task after being interrupted.
 
If your position doesn’t require immediate attention when an email or text comes in, schedule, “do not disturb” times. One of our coaching clients implemented batching emails for distribution morning, mid-day, and before the close of business, and productivity increased over twenty-five percent. 
Read more about how distractions are costing you >>>
 
2. Workday accountability buddy.
Ask your partner, friend, or co-worker to keep you accountable. Have them ping you at the time you should be off work. And … don’t be like me and continue to work on that one last thing before closing your laptop.
 
3. Schedule time to relax every day.
​Just 2 generations ago, the world moved at a much slower pace. Facebook meant something entirely different and people took the time to relax with those that were closest to them. There was much more time for reflection and meditation and overall life satisfaction was much higher. There are many nuances to our health that are important. You can maximize your health and vitality and increase your overall happiness and fulfillment by; relaxing, getting more restful sleep and getting off the couch, and exercising. READ MORE >>>
 
No matter what the challenges, take heart: Research shows that remote workers are happier and more productive than their in-office counterparts. They report lower stress levels and their carbon footprint is smaller with no commute. Plus, you can work without shoes on.

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