5 Questions to Ask Before Working Remotely

When I started working remotely, I couldn’t be happier about the convenience that came with it. However, a few months into it, the same remote work that I desired the most became a nuisance for me.

Reason?

I did not focus on the major aspects that had a significant role to play in my remote work journey. Anyway, I endured the difficult phase with patience as it took significant time to get back on track with my remote work.

Here, I’m going to share and explain those important questions that I should’ve asked myself before starting my remote work journey. 

Important Questions to Ask Before Starting the Work-From-Home Routine:

Is your Internet connection reliable enough?

If I had to pick the most important factor to get the ultimate remote work experience, it would be a swift internet connection.

From basic tasks such as sending emails to vital ones like video conferencing, a reliable connection is necessary.

Usually, internet speeds between 50Mbps – 100Mbps should be enough to support your remote work activities. However, it may also depend on the number of users and connected devices on a single network.

Anyway, here’s a breakdown of internet speeds that are required for different online work activities:

Note that the speeds mentioned above are for a single user only. If the number of users on a network increase, more internet speeds may be required for a seamless online experience.

So, ensure your internet connection is reliable enough to support all your online activities. As for me, I’ve subscribed to a high-speed plan offered by Spectrum Internet because, besides complementing my remote work needs, it also helps me with extracurricular online activities.

Do you have a separate workspace in your house?

Most people who are new to remote work may not take it seriously, but a separate workspace in your home is necessary to stay productive. If you’re living alone, creating a peaceful workspace may not be a problem for you.

However, if you live with a bunch of other people, whether friends or families, their activities may become a distraction for you. Resultantly, such distractions may lead to less productivity and ultimately, impact your work.

So, to stay on track with your remote work, establish a separate workspace in your home. This way, you may stay disciplined and not let distractions sway your concentration or focus from your work.

How will you stay productive while working remotely?

Besides a dedicated workspace that may help you stay productive, below are a few incredibly important tips that may help you stay productive throughout the day:

• Create a To-do List: It can help you evaluate your daily tasks.
• Complete Difficult Tasks First: It’s best if you get done with difficult tasks at first so that they may not feel overwhelming later.
• Take Breaks: Taking frequent breaks may help to replenish energy after work. You may utilize this break to cook a meal, spend time with your family, or in any fun activity. However, do ensure to strictly follow the break timings.
• Tasks Automation: Do not spend time unnecessarily on tasks that may be automated. 
• Eliminate Distractions: A separate workspace may limit distractions, but do keep a check on your smartphone as using it unnecessarily can kill your productivity.

That said, you can also get help from the tools/software to maximize your productivity:

• Asana – Best for project management
• Slack – Best for instant messaging and communication with co-workers.
• Google Drive – Best for sharing heavy files.

Do You Have the Required Gadgets for Remote Work?

Different gadgets can contribute to your ultimate remote work experience like no other. And, while the list of necessary gadgets may be long and subjective to a person’s work nature and needs, below are a few must-have ones:

• Noise Cancelling Headset: These devices are vital to block external noise while you’re in the middle of an important meeting. Not just this, they may also come in handy when you want to fully focus on any important task at hand.
• High-Quality Webcam: Although most laptops now have high-end webcams, you can always buy one if you work on a desktop. Or, if your laptop is old and does not have a high-quality webcam, then it’s a must-have gadget for a smooth and crystal-clear video conference.
• Ergonomic Chair: I believe if the chair you sit on is comfortable, then work may not seem as tiring as it really is.
• Desk Organizer: A desk organizer is also a useful gadget you’d want. Simply because it may help keep your desk clean, tidy, and organized.

How Do I Ensure Data Privacy?

In most cases, remote workers are responsible for ensuring their device and data security are protected. Additionally, they may be on the hit list of bad actors as most remote workers rarely take security measures to protect their data.

Below, I am sharing a few tips that may help you ensure data security and privacy:

• Virtual Private Network: When working, always connect your device to a VPN (virtual private network). It’s because it alters your device’s IP address and assigns it a fake one. Plus, a VPN also establishes an encrypted tunnel between its server and your device.

The data you send or receive first moves through this secure server and then makes it to your device. Consequently, it may help in preventing your data from falling into the wrong hands. 

• Firewalls: Enabling a firewall on your device may help you secure the device and the data stored on it. It’s because a firewall may effectively detect and block malicious contents, such as viruses and malware from entering your device.

Bonus Tip

Now that you know the important questions to ask yourself before considering remote work, here is a brief list of websites where you can check remote work opportunities:

• FlexJobs
• We Work Remotely
• Jobspresso
• Remote.co
• Virtual Vocations
• Remotive
• Working Nomads
• Career Vault
• Wellfound
• SkipTheDrive