Making Virtual Work for You

The world of virtual work is growing. More companies are looking for training solutions for a dispersed and virtual workforce, and more employees are looking for opportunities to work virtually, even if it's only a few days a week. I don’t blame them: after seven years of working virtually myself, there’s no way I’d want to go back to commuting and cubicles.

Here are my top three tips for making virtual work successful and productive.

1.      Establish a designated work space

Whether it’s a full home office or a desk in a corner, make sure you have a specific space where you can focus on work—and then leave work when “office hours” are over. I’ve found it helpful to make sure my desk faces away from the rest of my house. If I can’t see the dirty dishes and my kids’ toys strewn about the floor, then they can’t drive me crazy and I’m not tempted to clean house instead of work.

 

2.       Stick to your office hours

There will be times when you put in longer days, but as much as possible, establish your working hours and stick to them. Rituals can help mark the beginning and end of your day in the same way a commute would. I start my day with a cup of coffee and end by closing my laptop and turning off my monitors.

 

3.      Allow yourself some breaks

Since there aren’t any coworkers to pop into your office and ask you to grab coffee or lunch, you have to assume the initiative to take a break from work. Whether that’s a walk around the block, a lunch date with a friend, or just a phone call to a colleague, allow yourself the opportunity for the occasional escape from your desk to connect with people or just recharge for the next task.

What have you found helpful? Whether you're a seasoned virtual worker or just establishing your home office, I'd love to hear from you.