By Jillian Broaddus and Chuck Cusumano
We know – We’re all just trying to survive. Some days, it’s a feat just to change out of pajamas. There are no rules, no judgments, and no expectations during these unprecedented times.
However, even as restaurants, gyms, and international borders are opening back up, one thing appears to be here to stay: remote work. Some companies – Twitter, Square, and the majority of Facebook’s work force – will be allowed to work from home permanently, while many others – Google, Mastercard, and Salesforce, to name a few – have already announced that their employees can work remotely throughout the remainder of 2020. (Source). The future is here, and the traditional office environment has likely changed forever.
So, if you want to make the most of your time as a virtual worker, here are some of our best tips:
Ask for Feedback: More than half of remote workers report feeling “disconnected”. (Source). A major cause of this? Not knowing how they’re doing! Overcommunicate, schedule debriefs after every project, and make it a priority to ask for feedback. Ask your boss what you can do to grow in your role, as well as how to prepare for your next potential role!
Read: There’s no better time to catch-up on the books sitting on your nightstand. Challenge yourself to read just 10 pages every day of a non-fiction book. You’ll have read about 75,000 words within a month!
Write: Another challenge - task yourself with writing just 500 words per day, on any topic of your choosing! Perhaps you can chip away at the book you’ve always had in your head, or you can start blogging to share your ideas with others. You could write fiction and let your inhibitions and creativity fly, or you can even make it into a personal journal to document your daily thoughts, emotions, and sources of gratitude.
Online Courses: Now is also the time to take an online class. With learning becoming virtual across the board, many webinars are offering deep discounts. Whether it be for a hobby like photography, learning a new language, or a course to become more knowledgeable about finances, now is the time to sign up!