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June 28, 2024

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Remote Work Digest: June 29, 2024

The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.

10 ways to boost productivity in the workplace | Dan Buckley, CEO, Cognexo, Smeweb.com

 High productivity means more output, and efficiency, with a long-term impact on business development. Operationally, it involves leveraging technology, optimizing workflows and fostering continuous improvement, enabling companies to stay agile, quickly adapt and outpace their competitors. But productivity can only be as successful as your employee engagement and wellbeing strategies.

Here are ten proven strategies to boost productivity levels in the workplace.

1.Foster a positive company culture

A positive company culture that values teamwork, recognizes achievements and transparency, promotes autonomy and inclusivity can significantly enhance employee morale and productivity. Celebrating successes and fostering a supportive environment encourages employees to perform their best.

2. Set clear goals and provide feedback

Setting clear, achievable goals and providing regular, constructive feedback helps employees understand expectations and stay on track. This clarity and communication foster a sense of purpose and direction.

3. Implement collaborative tools

Adopting platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Asana facilitates better communication and project management. These tools help teams stay aligned, share files effortlessly and streamline workflows, ultimately reducing time wasted on email chains and meetings.

4. Adopt flexible work schedules

Allowing employees to work flexible hours or from remote locations can lead to increased job satisfaction and reduced burnout. This flexibility enables employees to work during their most productive hours and better balance work-life commitments.

5. Creating a culture of learning

Providing opportunities for employees to learn new skills and advance their careers can increase motivation and job satisfaction. E-learning, workshops and training programmes ensure teams remain knowledgeable and engaged.

6. Promote health and wellness programmes

Creating a culture of openness around mental health is crucial. This can be achieved by encouraging transparent conversations and ensuring mental health is treated with the same seriousness as physical health. Leaders should ensure that no employee feels they have to hide their struggles or suffer in silence. Open door policies are essential in creating a safe and supportive working environment.

7. Utilize AI and automation

Embracing automation and AI is not just about replacing human tasks but enhancing human potential. By offloading repetitive and mundane tasks to machines, employees can focus on what they do best; creative problem-solving, strategic planning and building relationships. Tools like AI-driven chatbots for customer service or automated data entry systems can significantly reduce manual workload.

8. Encourage regular breaks

Promoting regular breaks helps prevent burnout and maintains high levels of focus and energy throughout the day. We have all seen the AI prediction of the ‘future worker’ – techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique encourage structured work intervals followed by short rest periods, can ensure this doesn’t come to fruition.

9. Optimise meetings

Meeting schedules can be streamlined by implementing strict agendas and time limits. Discouraging video calls and encouraging stand up meetings to keep them short and focused. Reducing unnecessary meetings frees up time for employees to focus on their core tasks and enhances creativity.

10. Encourage employee autonomy

Empower employees by giving them control over how they complete their tasks. Trusting employees to manage their workload and make decisions can increase their engagement and productivity. Autonomy fosters a sense of ownership and accountability. Focus periods are also incredibly effective in boosting productivity, as well as autonomy.

By incorporating these strategies, businesses can create a more efficient, motivated and productive workforce. Embracing both technological advancements and holistic approaches to employee engagement and wellbeing is key to sustaining long-term productivity gains.

15 Well-Paid Remote Jobs You Can Do at Night | Zobia Shazi, Maxmymoney.org

From writing to surveys, there are numerous options to choose from. Here are 15 remote careers that could be done at night to create a flexible yet rewarding career.

1.Freelance Writing

Freelance writing is a very flexible job that one can do at their earliest convenience, even at night. Freelancers are assigned projects ranging from articles to blog posts, web content, or technical writing. People interested in this opportunity should form a portfolio of writing samples, create a profile on freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, and pitch to online publications or content agencies.

2. Web Development

The average pay for this will be between $60,000 and $120,000 annually. If working on freelance terms, the person can earn an hourly wage between $30 and $150, depending on the expertise level and clients’ expectations of difficulty in relation to the project. Learn to code with Web Design languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP.

3. Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant is someone who provides administrative support to very busy business owners and entrepreneurs. One may be required to look after the emails, schedule appointments, or even run the social media accounts. Because of the nature of tasks and the level of expertise, virtual assistants’ pay is usually $15 to $50 an hour.

4. Graphic Design

Graphic designers design general visual display content for websites, advertisements, etc. then, social media. In this job, one could make an average amount from $45,000 up to $90,000 per year.

5. Online Tutoring

Tutoring can easily be done during the night, primarily if you work with students living in a different time zone. It’s possible to make anywhere between $20 an hour up to even $80, depending on the student’s knowledge and the subject or level of study.

6. Digital Marketing Specialist

Tutoring can easily be done during the night, primarily if you work with students living in a different time zone. It’s possible to make anywhere between $20 an hour up to even $80, depending on the student’s knowledge and the subject or level of study.

7. Customer Service Representative

Tutoring can easily be done during the night, primarily if you work with students living in a different time zone. It’s possible to make anywhere between $20 an hour up to even $80, depending on the student’s knowledge and the subject or level of study.

8. Transcriptionist

Transcription is taking an audio recording and putting it into words on paper. It can be done at night and requires ample listening and typing skills. Transcriptionists make anywhere between $15 and $30 per hour.

9. Software Development

Software developers design and maintain software applications. This technical job is flexible and can be done at any time of the day/night. The average developer’s salary is between $70,000 and $130,000 annually.

10. Copywriting

Software developers design and maintain software applications. This technical job is flexible and can be done at any time of the day/night. The average developer’s salary is between $70,000 and $130,000 annually.

11. Data Entry Specialist

Data entry specialists enter and organize data for companies. The particular work usually can be done flexibly, including at night. A data entry specialist could earn anywhere from $10 to $25 an hour, depending on how technical the jobs require your skill level to be.

12. Online Survey Participant

Participants get paid to provide feedback about products and services. Once more, it is one of those flexible freelance jobs that can be done even at night. A survey participant makes between $1 and $50 per completed survey.

13. Virtual Recruiter

Virtual recruiters assist companies in finding and recruiting talent. They can be done from home and mostly allow flexible hours, like night shifts. Virtual recruiters can generate between $20 and $100 per hour, even with bonuses based on successful hires.

14. Social Media Manager

Social media managers create content for and manage social media platforms. This job can comfortably be done at night because social media is an industry that never goes to sleep.

15. Translation Services

Translators are people who translate written text from one language to another. Depending on the client’s needs, this can be done remotely and at night. Translators may charge between $20 to $50 per hour, but specialized fields of medicine and law could be higher.

11 Effective Ways to Increase Employee Retention | Spacecoastdaily.com

High turnover rates in turn lead to decreased levels of productivity, increased recruitment costs, time wasted spent on training, and most importantly, lost sales. In order to avoid such issues, companies across the US are focusing on strategies to improve their employee retention rates.

Here are some of the most effective ways to increase employee retention in 2024:

Match Their Value

Employees “acting their wage” can never be a problem for a company as long as the employers ensure that compensation and benefits are aligned with what their employees are worth. By matching their value, employers can ensure that their employees feel valued and don’t seek opportunities elsewhere.

Reward Their Efforts

Recognizing and rewarding your employees can go a long way in helping them feel appreciated and valued. From public praises to bonuses and promotions, there are numerous ways to cherish your employees for all their hard work.

Foster a Positive Work Environment

Ensure transparency and open communication in the organization by communicating goals, challenges, and successes with your team. Employees should also be motivated to express their opinions and ideas freely. 

Encourage a Work-Life Balance

Employees should be allowed to balance their work responsibilities alongside their personal interests and relationships. Not only will this help reduce burnout, but also foster a positive work environment. 

Nurture Professional Growth

One of the most effective ways to increase employee retention is investing in their personal and professional growth. According to a workplace survey report, 94% of surveyed respondents stated that they would stay longer if their company helped them learn. 

Practice Empathy

Practicing empathy not only ensures employees improve their sense of belongingness and connection, but it even helps businesses retain and attract new talent. Employers should foster open communication, be approachable for employees, and demonstrate empathy in their actions at all times. 

Promote Team Building

Team building activities can help inculcate a sense of unity and mutual respect towards coworkers. When employees are provided a team environment where they have positive interactions with their team members and feel connected to them, it is more than likely that they feel engaged and valued.

Cultivate a Feedback Culture

Feedback that is both constructive and positive can help employees learn their current levels of performance, identify areas of learning and growth, as well as carve a path of development for them. Employers can also build stronger connections with their subordinates through open communication and feedback. 

Reduce Employee Burnout

Engaged, motivated, and well-rewarded employees are more likely to experience lower levels of burnout than those who aren’t. 

Offer Cool Job Perks

Almost all organizations today are offering facilities such as good healthcare and flexible work schedules. In order to be one step ahead in the employee retention game, employers can offer cool job perks on travel, food, car rentals, and more. There are many such services that organizations can make use of to offer employee discounts.

Beware of Work from Home Scams! 5 Ways to Verify the Authenticity of Work from Home Opportunities | Roshni Tamta, Mynation.com

Below are 5 ways to check the authenticity of work-from-home job offers and prevent scams:

Verify the legitimacy of the company. Research about it and check the official company website. Make sure it is professional and check reviews of the company online for a better idea.

Be cautious of unsolicited offers. Cross-check the job offer in several job portals. Be cautious as genuine companies seldom send job offers without a proper application process.

Never provide personal or financial information. Avoid sharing personal details such as location, bank information, date of birth, and others to avoid security broaches before verifying the legitimacy of the job offer.

Use secure communication channels. Make sure you are communicating through a secure and trusted communication channel. Always be informed about privacy settings in the communication platform.

Ask detailed questions. Do not hesitate to ask proper questions and try to get detailed answers about the company and the job offer. Make sure they use a legitimate payment platform for salaries and provide written documentation of employment and company policies.

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Remote Work Digest: January 28, 2023

The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.

5 Arguments to Convince Your Manager to Let You Work From Home | Jack Turner, Tech.co

If you want to make the jump to working from home, here’s five solid reasons to help you make that argument to your manager.

1.You’ll be More Productive

There have been many, many studies that show productivity actually increases when employees are allowed to work from home.

A tech.co exclusive study revealed that 64% of remote businesses report high productivity levels compared to 54% of in-office businesses. Check out the full report. Another study conducted by ConnectSolutions found that productivity was up 77% among remote workers, with 30% saying they actually achieved more in less time.

2. You’ll Live Longer

The value of sleep to our health has been long established, so it makes sense that if you’re working from home, you can justify not getting up early for the commute, and spending a bit more precious time between the sheets.

A study in 2022, by Bloom, Han and Liang showed a strong correlation between remote working and getting more sleep.

This is great news for remote workers (and their bosses), as separate studies, such as this one published by PLOS Medicine, show that those aged 50+ who sleep five hours or less, had a 30% higher risk of chronic illness compared to those catching seven plus hours of shut eye a night.

3. You’ll Put in More Hours

What if you didn’t need to rush to try and beat other commuters in traffic, or worry about squeezing onto the slightly less crowded train? Studies have shown that when freed from the restraints of the typical work day, workers choose to work longer. Surely music to any bosses ears?

Here’s the data to back that up. A report published by the National Bureau of Economics found that US workers who worked remotely saved, on average, 55 minutes a day on their commute.

And how did they choose to spend this saved time? Working. Well, some of it anyway. The study found that on average users spent 42% of this time on work, with 35% spent on leisure time, and 8% caregiving.

4. The Company Will do Better

Picture the scene. You grab five minutes with your manager, and want to make the best argument possible for working from home. What better opener than ‘me working at home will help the business grow’? Well, maybe you should start with ‘hello’, but this is definitely something we feel you should kick off your pitch with.

A study by Flex Index showed that in a 12 month period, companies with between 500 and 1500 employees who offered hybrid work, grew twice as fast as those that didn’t.

5. It Could Save the Planet

Many companies in 2024 are drastically looking to lower their carbon footprint, from reducing the need to print and going all-in on digital, all the way to creating brand new office spaces that put eco needs first, and lean heavily into alternative energy sources.

If your company is one of these (and lets face it, it should be!), then there’s a very quick solution you can offer to your boss that will allow them to alleviate some of the guilt they feel about their company’s impact on the planet.

That solution is (drum roll please) working from home! I mean, of course it, after all, that’s what this whole article is about, but trust us, we can help you back it up with actual science.

A study from peer-reviewed journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) in 2023 found that “remote workers could have a 54% lower carbon footprint compared to onsite workers.”

Not only that, but hybrid workers that are working from home between two and four days per week could also cut emissions by between 11% and 29%.

It’s not too hard to see why fewer cars on the road, and less people in the office would help lower carbon emissions. We think it’s one of the strongest arguments you can make for remote working!

How to Increase Employee Engagement in 2024 |  Young Entrepreneur Council, Inc.com

While the benefits of boosting employee engagement may sound great, finding ways to do it is where the real challenges lie. The trend toward hybrid and remote work environments makes it trickier to build relationships. When connections aren’t there, organizational cultures can fall apart and commitment levels can plummet. Read on to discover three effective ways to improve employee engagement.

1.Make Career Development Personal

Designing customized career development plans with each employee’s input shows you don’t discount your people’s ambitions. Getting rid of policies that restrict lateral moves also helps. Someone may get hired for a specific role but soon discover that it’s not a good fit. Tenure requirements may prompt them to look elsewhere when they’d rather stay. Encourage open conversations instead, and be an advocate for your employees so you can achieve mutual goals.

2. Centralize Collaboration

Making up for the lack of in-person contact with centralized communication hubs is enormously helpful. You can use these hubs to supplement other collaboration tools, such as instant messaging, videoconferencing, and project management apps. Hubs give staff members one place to connect with potential mentors and ask questions of people outside their departments.

With centralized hubs, workers get a chance to discover career opportunities and learn what’s happening in the organization. They can also become members of employee resource groups supporting various interests, such as those advocating for a higher percentage of women and minorities in leadership. A centralized communication hub can pave the way for employees to build relationships and get assistance in virtual environments so they don’t feel as isolated.

3. Think Beyond Basic Benefits

Conventional benefits like health insurance and time off are necessary, but they may not be sufficient. More than likely, many companies in your industry meet these baseline worker expectations. As an employer, you can go beyond the basics and determine what perks your staff will appreciate. Examples of not-so-conventional benefits include the ability to bring pets and children to the office.

Daycare costs and pets with separation anxiety can be top drivers behind the need for flexible work arrangements. Consider on-site pet and child care or monthly stipends for those who need them. Other less conventional benefits might include financial and legal guidance, such as access to a financial adviser. Stress management programs and access to therapists are additional perks that are often appreciated. Talk to employees to find out what they want and need.

Increasing Employee Engagement in the New Year

Increasing employee engagement is eminently doable, but there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. What motivates each of your staff members is going to be as unique as they are. At the same time, there are common threads, such as the need for career development plans, social connections, and holistic benefits.

Incorporating and personalizing these approaches will demonstrate your commitment to your employees’ success. The basics of reciprocity apply here. If you want employees to be engaged and motivated, you have to be, too.

Fostering work-life balance when working from home | Cathy Hobbs, Telegraphherald.com

Here are some recommendations for creating an ideal blend of work and relaxation under the same roof.

  • Create a separate area for work. Ideally this should be a separate room, but if you can’t, creating a work “zone” that is separate and distinct will help.
  • Take frequent breaks during the day. Once in the morning, around lunch and before the end of the day is ideal.
  • Spend some time outdoors. Taking time for a breath of fresh air will help instill a sense of calm.
  • Infuse soothing colors to create a sense of calm. Pure white, neutrals and soothing blues can help.
  • Incorporate greenery. Trees and plants can go a long way in helping a space feel modern, fresh and calm.
  • Try to incorporate nature and natural elements.
  • When possible, utilize natural sunlight or infuse as much light as possible into a space. Sunlight can help to calm the mind.
  • Consider incorporating scent or fragrance. A calming effect can come from “soothing the senses.”
  • Experiment with mirrors. Mirrors help to reflect light and can act like windows in a space.
  • Use wood and wood-like elements. This can help to “ground” a space and help to make it feel cozy.

6 tested and tried morning habits for better health and productivity | TOI Lifestyle Desk, TimesofIndia.com

Wake up and win: Unlock your best self with these morning habits!

The decisions you make in the wee hours of the morning can mean the difference between a lazy day and one where you take on obstacles head-on. These 6 morning routines will help you wake up feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Hydrate your way to vitality

Pour yourself a full glass of water to start your day. This is a potent health drink, not just an ordinary routine. Drinking water after a night of sleep gives your body the hydration it needs, speeds up your metabolism, and removes toxins.

Rise and thrive

Give up the snooze button and commit to a regular wake-up time. By doing this, you control your circadian rhythm, which enhances the quality of your sleep and gets rid of that grogginess in the morning. 

Move it or lose it

Exercise increases metabolism, improves mood, and sharpens cognitive function. It can be as simple as stretching, yoga, running, or a quick workout. Choose the exercise that works best for you and get your heart rate up for a vigorous start.

Zen out with meditation

Take a mindful pause in your morning for 10 minutes of meditation. Whether it’s focused breathing, guided meditation, or simply finding a quiet moment, mindfulness helps calm your mind, reduce stress, and elevate your focus. 

Master your day with planning

Making a plan in advance aids in time management by averting distractions and putting off tasks. To ensure a focused and intentional day, write down your priorities in a journal or with a planning app.

In a nutshell

Maintaining fitness and health involves a balanced approach. Regular exercise, such as brisk walks, jogging, or yoga, promotes physical well-being. A nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains is vital. Prioritize hydration and get adequate sleep for overall well-being. Minimize stress through relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing. Avoid excessive consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and sedentary behaviors. Regular health check-ups are essential for early detection of potential issues. Strive for a healthy work-life balance, and cultivate positive relationships. Consistency in these habits fosters long-term well-being and a vibrant, healthy lifestyle.

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February 24, 2023

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Remote Work Digest: February 24, 2023

The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.

10 Tips For Achieving A Better Work-Life Balance | YEC Council Post, Forbes.com

Work-life balance refers to the ratio between the time an individual spends on their job and the time and energy they spend on other aspects of their life, such as their family, friends and hobbies. It is the concept of balancing work demands with the needs and wants of one’s personal life to achieve a sense of well-being and satisfaction. Many people see it as essential to their overall well-being and happiness.

Here are some thoughts on how to find a better balance in your life:

  1. Setting clear boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time and all aspects of your life. Yes, this can help prevent work from dominating your life and encroaching on personal time.
  2. Prioritizing: Prioritizing important tasks and activities can help you ensure that the most important things are taken care of first, which leaves for other activities.
  3. Mastering tie management: Effective time management can help you ensure that you complete your work and personal tasks promptly, which can leave you more time for other activities.
  4. Staying flexible: A flexible work arrangement, such as telecommuting or a flexible work schedule, can help you balance work and personal responsibilities.
  5. Delegating: Delegation is an undervalued skill. It is a learned skill, and when you understand it, it can make a massive difference in your performance and life. Delegating tasks to others can reduce your workload and save time for other activities.
  6. Taking breaks: Regular breaks throughout the day can help refresh you.
  7. Setting realistic goals: Goals should be stretches for you, but if you are setting unrealistic goals, it can be demotivating and eat into other aspects of your life.
  8. Staying organized: Staying organized can help you ensure that you complete your work and personal tasks efficiently, which leaves more time for other activities.
  9. Engaging in activities you enjoy: Doing things you enjoy that bring you joy can help you balance the stress of work and life.
  10. Practicing self-care: When writing down their priorities in life, people should remember to add themselves to the list. I find that regularly practicing self-care activities such as exercise, meditation or reading can help me reduce stress and improve my overall well-being.

These are just ideas and tools to help you find balance. Remember that balance is going to look very different for every person. Honestly, balance will look different to you at different times in your life. What is important is to regularly assess your priorities and goals and make sure you are finding time for everything that is important to you.

8 Tips to Avoid Remote Work from Home Scams | Jack Turner, Tech.co

Remote work scams are big business for scammers. They prey on vulnerable victims who get suckered in with promises of their dream job and sky-high salaries, only to be left jobless and potentially losing huge sums of cash too. Follow our advice to dodge the fakers and stay safe.

  1. Avoid jobs with ‘fees’

It’s a common scam technique to try and squeeze some money out of the victim by claiming that there are some costs involved before they are allowed to start their new role.

  1. Insist on speaking with the employer

A lot of scams thrive on email/text only communication. It’s a lot easier to convince someone of a scam if you’ve got time to think your answers through. It’s a lot harder to pull this off on a phone or video call.

  1. Research the employer

Google makes it very easy to find information about a company, so see what you can find out online about the firm. Ask your contact for a physical company office address, and double check this too.

  1. Look out for unnecessary pressure

It’s a textbook scammer’s trick to try and get the victim to respond as quickly as possible. When we’re flustered, our decision making suffers, and we don’t take the time to fully evaluate the situation.

  1. Be suspicious of large salaries

Let’s be honest, we’d all love a big fat pay check at the end of the month, but if a job is offering a lot more than you’d usually expect, don’t let the cash cloud your judgement. Scammers will always make fake job offers look as tempting as possible, including promising you big bucks.

  1. Don’t give personal details too soon

While scammers love to get hold of cold, hard cash, personal information can be just as valuable. With this, fraudsters are able to steal your identity, access bank accounts, and more.

  1. Be wary of unsolicited job offers

While it may be flattering to be contacted out of the blue with a job offer, take a step back and ask if the offer looks legitimate. Scammers will often approach victims blind and offer an incredible sounding job with a sweet salary to boot, but realistically, no company makes contact with a job offer straight away.

  1. Carefully check any written communication

If you’re in email contact with a potential employer, there are several easy steps you can take to weed out the fakers. Firstly, check the spelling and grammar. It’s an age old tell for scams, but usually they’ll give themselves away with poor English. Also, check the domain in the email address. If Bill Gates is offering you a job at Microsoft, but his email address is [email protected], that’s a red flag.

How to Find a Legitimate Work from Home Job

There are more remote jobs than ever before right now, and even though some large companies, such as Amazon and Twitter are grabbing headlines for clamping down on remote work, there are still many, many companies with generous work from home policies. Some may allow you to work from home full time, while others may ask you to come into the office a certain number of days a week.

Research companies with solid WFH policies

Companies are very open about whether or not they’ll allow staff to work from home. The last thing any company wants is to go through the recruitment process, only for the candidate to baulk at the idea of coming into the office and reject a job offer. You can make a start by checking our guide to companies that let you work remotely.

Make sure your field is open to remote work

There are many jobs today that lend themselves to working from home, but some common ones are customer support, programming, copywriter, graphic designer, bookkeeper and more. As you can see, there’s a huge array of the sort of roles that people can do at home these days. If your chosen career isn’t remote-work friendly, and you’re dead set on ditching the commute, it may be time to retrain.

Ask your current employer if you can work from home

Many companies are more open than ever to having staff work remotely, and no firm is going to chance losing a valuable team member over such a request. It may be a slow process, and you’re likely to have to start slowly with a trial at first, to see if it works for both you and your employer, but you could keep the job you have, without the travel.

Is Remote Work Safe?

Scammers are opportunists by nature, and will latch onto any emerging trend in an attempt to try and immorally extract money or information from victims, but despite this, remote work is a legitimate area of employment that is only going to grow and grow. In some fields, it has even become more common to work from home rather than head to the office, with the tech industry leading the way.

As long as you’re vigilant when applying for remote jobs, and watch out the for the warnings signs we’ve covered here, you can land yourself a legitimate remote working role, and hang up your commuting coat.

7 Tips to Reduce Smartphone Use in Bed and Improve Sleep Hygiene | Lando Loic, Makeuseof.com

Getting quality sleep is vital to your overall well-being, but, chances are, you find it hard to resist the urge to indulge in one last scroll or check in with your notifications before bedtime. This often leads to long late-night browsing sessions, sleep deprivation, and tiredness throughout the day.

Try these tips to help you break this habit and improve your sleep hygiene.

  1. Implement a “No Phone in Bed” Rule

There are two main reasons why you should avoid using your phone before sleeping. Firstly, your smartphone and other electronic devices emit blue light that can affect your productivity and sleep cycle by suppressing melatonin production, which is responsible for helping you fall asleep. Secondly, your smartphone contains an endless stream of content, which can lead to overstimulation and distraction that keeps you up at night instead of helping you fall asleep.

  1. Set Up a Sleep Focus or Bedtime Mode

One of the best ways to improve your sleep hygiene is to ensure you stick to a consistent sleep schedule. This means going to bed and aiming to wake up at the same time every day, including on weekends. This allows your body to adjust naturally to a specific sleep routine, making it easier for you to fall asleep at a set time and enjoy enough quality sleep throughout the night.

  1. Use Night Shift or Blue Light Filter and Dark mode

As mentioned above, one of the main reasons you should avoid using your smartphone or other light-emitting devices close to or during your bedtime is because the blue light emitted from their screens negatively impacts your sleep cycle.

  1. Use Sleep Apps

There’s a range of third-party sleep apps you can choose from to improve your sleep hygiene. You can download a free app called Insight Timer to listen to relaxing music that can help you wind down before bedtime. Do you prefer bedtime tales? There’s a wide selection of sleep stories available to help you sleep faster.

  1. Avoid Checking Emails During Your Bedtime

While this sounds like a productive habit—after all, it’s generally acceptable to prepare for the next day before sleeping—it can quickly turn into long late-night work sessions. Besides, checking emails during bedtime can be mentally stimulating and keep you awake instead of helping you sleep, leading to grogginess and lack of energy during the following day.

  1. Try Relaxing Bedtime Activities That Don’t Involve Screens

Considering that blue-light-free environments can help you fall asleep faster and sleep better, it’s a good idea to limit your screen time and try activities that don’t involve screens, such as reading a book, writing in a physical journal, or meditating. These activities can help you drift off to sleep quickly and wake up feeling energized.

  1. Use an Analog Alarm Clock

Using an alarm clock will help you avoid the temptation of indulging in late-night activities on your phone so that you can wake up feeling refreshed and alert.

In addition, if you tend to wake up in the middle of the night and check your smartphone, an analog alarm clock will help you avoid this habit. Lastly, you won’t be tempted to start your morning by browsing endless Twitter rants or mindlessly scrolling through Instagram. This allows you to start your day more proactively and get the most out of it.

Get Enough Quality Sleep by Reducing Your Smartphone Usage During Bedtime

Although smartphones and other blue-light-emitting devices have become integral to many parts of life, they can keep you from getting a good night’s rest. This is why it is essential to limit your smartphone usage during bedtime (or choose your bedtime apps wisely) to improve your sleep hygiene and productivity throughout the day.

Watch Out for These 4 Remote Work Mistakes in 2023 | Ashley Maready, Nasdaq.com

Despite increasing desperation from some employers who are determined to get staff back into fluorescent-lit cubicles and neckties, many Americans like remote work. It’s a time-saver and can make achieving work-life balance easier.

If you’re ready to find a remote job, it’s important to realize that it’s not all pet snuggles and getting to use your own bathroom during the work day. You could also fall prey to the following mistakes in the course of working from home, even as you pad your checking account.

  1. Not communicating effectively

It’s important to keep on top of any digital communications coming in and respond to them promptly. If you tend to submerge yourself in work, try setting aside a few minutes once per hour to check and reply to messages.

  1. Getting distracted easily

We’ve all had one of those days where you just can’t focus on the task at hand, and working from home has the ability to magnify this feeling. You might hear the siren song of that basket of laundry that needs folding, or a pet who absolutely cannot be deterred from climbing in your lap. But if you’re expected to be actively engaged in your work during certain hours of the day, do your best to stay focused.

  1. Working too much

If you have workaholic tendencies, being able to do your job from anywhere at any time can definitely exacerbate them. While on its face, this may not seem like a bad thing (especially if your role pays hourly or per task rather than a set salary), if you overwork, you could find yourself facing burnout.

  1. Relying on old technology

While it may be tempting to work on the same old laptop you’ve used for years to save money, consider upgrading your technology to find more success with remote work. A newer machine with a faster processor and better webcam will make it easier to work and stay in touch with your colleagues via video calls. Try buying a refurbished computer to get the most bang for your buck. And remember, you can write off work expenses on your freelance or small business taxes.

If you’re ready to embrace that remote work lifestyle, take care to ensure that you can maintain communication with your colleagues, avoid distractions and overworking, and source equipment that will help you do your job better. If you can overcome these challenges, you may just find that working remotely is great for your mental health, career, and personal finances.

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November 29, 2020

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Remote Work Digest: November 29, 2020

The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.

How to be more productive working from home: 9 rules for the “now normal” | Jonathan Thompson, Atlassian.com

A major new global study into remote working, conducted by Paper Giant for Atlassian, found that 40% of respondents felt that working from home translated to significantly longer hours.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. As we move away from traditional office spaces, there are a number of hacks and tricks you can deploy to boost your own productivity. The goal? To hit all of your targets without impinging on your wellness or work-life balance whatsoever. Read on for our nine science-backed, expert-approved principles of self-productivity.

1. Master desk-scaping

First, try “zoning” your home office, by creating separate spaces for reference materials, supplies, and long-term projects, before assigning discard dates to as many as possible. Then clear your desk itself and only replace items that are essential for daily use.

Finally, add pops of color wherever you can – from a picture on the wall, to a screensaver or even your choice of mug. Color can have a major impact on mood, with greens and blues particularly proven to increase productivity, so reach for that ocean vista or add a leafy plant to the proceedings. 

2. Embrace mono-tasking

The brutal truth is that very, very few of us can efficiently multi-task. In fact, it’s roughly 2% of the population, according to Professor David Strayer of the University of Utah, an expert in cognitive distraction. The problem is that when we bounce from task to task, we aren’t actually getting more done. Instead, we’re forcing our brains to constantly switch speeds, steering through tasks more erratically and burning out our internal gearboxes. The answer is to slay the multi-tasking monster, and embrace mono-tasking.

3. Plan tomorrow, tonight

The Paper Giant study discovered that 44% of workers believe it’s now more important to know how to motivate themselves apart from the parameters of office life. One of the best ways to do that is with a to-do list – and the best time to make that list is the night before.  

4. Make a not-to-do list

You’ve made your to-do list now, but if you want to be truly productive, you’ll need the opposite, too. A not-to-do list should be a permanent addition to your workspace, featuring all of the time-wasters that are obstructing your daily goals – from checking social media, to clicking on cat videos, to wandering into the kitchen to wash the dishes.

5. Block out your flow times

Your “flow” time is when you’re most efficient: a period of hyper-focus when you work most smoothly. For some people it’s early in the morning, for others it’s the afternoons or evenings. Once you’ve identified yours, block out 90 minutes in that window each day for pure, deep work on your biggest tasks. 

6. Prioritise Pareto and Pomodoros

Named after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, the Pareto Principle (also known as the 80-20 Rule) states that 80% of your results come from 20% of your actions, and vice versa. In other words, to become more productive, you must identify the 20% of your work that is having that 80% impact, and always prioritise it. 

Next, you should maximise your minutes spent working on this crucial 20% via the Pomodoro Technique – a series of 25 minute focused “sprints” on a task, followed by a complete five minute break each time.

7. Learn to nap like a pro

The secret is to harness your body’s natural circadian rhythm and employ a 20 minute power nap (sometimes called a Stage 2 Nap) in the mid-afternoon, to boost your memory, cognitive skills, and creativity.

By restricting yourself to just 20 minutes, you reap the aforementioned benefits without falling into deeper REM sleep, which will leave you feeling groggy and disoriented. To maximize your energy, drink a cup of coffee immediately before your power nap. Researchers have found that caffeine takes about 20 minutes to show its physiological effect, so it will kick in just as you’re waking.

8. Dress for success

When you’re working from home, it doesn’t really matter how you dress – or even if you dress at all below the waist. But not making a sartorial effort is a major mistake when it comes to your productivity levels. The act of preparing for the day ahead, including the selection of slightly smarter clothes, sends a message to your brain that it’s game time – and that sparks more mental energy.

9. Set up a “force quit” to your work day

“Overworking can lead to stress and burnout, harming not only your productivity but also your overall mental health and wellbeing,” says Graham. “Instead, set a firm time to bring your work day to a close and stick to it at all costs.” If you struggle with this, find an accountability partner – a colleague, friend or manager – and set up a call to officially end the day. A hard finish not only means a softer start to the following morning after a good rest, it also means you’ll work faster and more efficiently each day, knowing that your finish time is non-negotiable.

Put these tips to work right now

Want to get the most out of the advice in this article? Pick two tips and implement them right now.
And then, if it happens to be the end of the day where you are, call it a night and start fresh in the morning. Tip #9 makes good sense, right?

Five things to consider when organizing a remote work Christmas party | Kate Palmer, Globalbankingandfinance.com

Things will have to be a little different this year due to the ongoing disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic. While the easiest, and cheapest, option for employers is to not go ahead with their annual festive plans, in the spirit of keeping Christmas alive some may choose to organize a remote party.

Some important things that employers should be aware of.

  1. Even with something that can be considered a ‘treat’ for employees, people who are working carers, have been struggling with work-related stresses, may not want to partake in a Christmas party this year, however well-intentioned it may be on the employer’s part. It is therefore advisable that remote parties should be optional and not constrained to a certain timeframe in which staff must be in attendance.
  2. Employers should ensure that those in attendance do not feel excluded from any activities during the party. For example, if an employee does not drink alcohol and a virtual wine tasting activity makes up the bulk of the event, such a person would not be able to contribute to the fun and may therefore feel left out.
  3. When attendees and potential attendees, have been established and the activities have been finalized, it is in the best interest of the company to send out emails to them. It should detail what is expected of them at the event and highlight that the same conduct is expected of them at a remote party as it would be at an in-person event.
  4. Similarly, employees should be made aware that the same grievance produce applies – to ensure that if company rules are broken by an employee or a grievance with the company itself, the affected employee will be able to raise this with the company.
  5. Finally, while employees can use their social media accounts in their own personal time, including at work social gatherings, employers must ensure that the use of social media should be done in a manner that does not adversely affect the company’s reputation.

Remote parties are the perfect way to ensure that social distancing rules are adhered to and that employees are rewarded for their efforts, there should be a mutual sense of responsibility on the part of the company and its employees.

Remote work and self-care: The place you work and live | Sima Baldisserri, Iamexpat.nl

How can you manage to work remotely while creating the healthiest environment for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being? Here are a few self-care tips that may help to create your flexible workspace:

Your office at home

Create a space that is as separate from the rest of the house as possible.

No matter how small your living space is, do not work everywhere, because this will make you work beyond work hours. Instead, you want to maintain a distinct mental separation of your home and associate each room or corner of your living place with its own function.

Brighten your day

Choose a corner in a well-lit room and if you could place your desk near a window that would be perfect!

Having a well-illuminated office/desk by natural light produces several positive effects on your well-being: better quality and duration of sleep, greater predisposition to physical activity, prevent eyestrain and, in general, increased quality of life.

Life is in the air

Increase ventilation by opening doors and windows at least three times a day for 10-15 minutes. This is also the best practice to protect from viruses and bacteria. Living in a healthier and more comfortable environment improves mood and quality of life and reduces the risk of complaints, such as headaches, eyestrain, and feeling of tiredness or drop in concentration.

Declutter your workspace as often as possible

It is much better to manage the little space you have effectively as a home and office than to completely turn your whole living space into an office, a clean and clear workspace can reduce your stress, help you focus, and also keep work from interfering with your home/personal life.

Sense of smell

When working remotely, some of the most common complaints are decreased attention and performance, as well as mood swings, which often have an effect on the quality of sleep. The ability to smell comes from the olfactory sensory neurons, these cells connect directly to the brain. This is a reason why essential oils can be a very valid help: it is sufficient to have a diffuser where you add from 5 to 7 drops of chosen essence.

A better work-life balance

These self-care tips for remote working can apply to anyone looking for better ways to manage their lives, time and have a better work-life balance. Your home and workspace is an extension of your energy field, by taking care of it, you are a step further away from physical and mental complaints, and a step closer to your well-being, and when you feel good, your relationships and work benefit from it.

6 Best Employee Appreciation Ideas your Staff will Love | Sofia Peterson, Thehackpost.com

If a company wants to grow, it must ensure that its employees are working efficiently as well as effectively.

But how can you manage the work of your employees? How can you know if they are dedicated or not? These questions can be answered by providing employee motivation or employee awards. These are some ways in which you can show your staff that you care –

1.The employee of the month.

If you start selecting an employee of the month based on employees to work performance and give them any hike in salary or prize for this, the employees will work harder due to increased competition and desire to win.

2. Certificates of appreciation

If you provide every employee with certificates whenever they perform a task marvelously, their pride will increase, and they will feel motivated to perform more such tasks as everyone wants pride, self-esteem, and respect.

3. Company journals or magazines

Whenever any employee performs an exceptional task, you can mention his name in the company’s journals or magazines. This will make him feel attached to the work, and their pride will be enhanced. Nothing is the biggest motivator than self-esteem.

4. Small get together or celebrations

Many times employees have to make lots of efforts for a particular task which makes them feel that the work is tedious and their efficiency reduces. To avoid such situation, you can organize small get-togethers or small celebrations after every radius task. It will ignite the fire of motivation in employees.

5. Monetary incentives.

Suppose an employee has become the reason for earning unrealistic profits, you can give him a share in profits. Similarly, if employees are working on festivals or doing night shifts for meeting the deadline, you can provide them with a bonus.

6. Performance-based pay.

Suppose there are workers in a manufacturing unit, you can give them pay according to their performance. For example, if a worker makes eight units, he will get 50 rupees per day, but if a worker makes 12 units per day, he will get 70 rupees per day. It will motivate workers to work more so that they can earn more.

Financial incentives can be bonuses, free transport, gifts, etc., while non-monetary ones include more respect, pride, and recognition in the company. Once employees start to feel themselves to be a part of the company, they will work in a much better way. Just motivate your employees and make your company touch the sky.