Remote Worker Starter Pack: What You Need To Succeed In The Online Workforce
Remote work is not for everyone. It is no walk in the park. With all the distractions present at home, it's a real challenge to actually work and get something done each day.
Perhaps this is why a lot of people often assume that, at best, work-from-home jobs are easy, and at worst, they aren’t real jobs.
They are. Remote jobs are real jobs with very real assignments, tasks, and projects. The good news is, the pay is very real too.
So, if you’re looking into getting into the online workforce, here are the fundamentals you need in order to succeed.
ESSENTIAL TOOLS
It goes without saying that if you want to be a remote worker, you must have all the basic tools to work from home.
A fast computer, a reliable Internet, and a backup connection are all you need to start. Everything else like a noise-canceling headset for voice calls, an extra monitor to up your productivity, and a pair of clear-sounding speakers are all nice-to-haves (unless the nature of your remote work requires them). However, it’s a good practice to have a set place for your work.
Too often, a proper desk and chair, and a quiet workspace are overlooked, but if you want to be able to minimize distractions and boost your productivity, you must invest in a desk (and an ergonomic chair for long-sitting), and you must separate your workspace from other living spaces in your home.
“Coffee is every remote worker’s best friend.”
A remote work-friendly space is also good for when you have to Skype or be in video calls. You don’t want your employer to see that pile of dirty dishes in the sink, do you? If you have a spare room in the house, use it. Because you also don’t want your boss to hear your neighbor’s noisy dog barking.
Finally, a good coffee maker never hurts.
CRUCIAL TRAITS
Extremely Organized
As a remote worker, you won’t have the luxury of sitting next to a colleague who can easily tap your shoulder to remind you of a meeting or a deadline. Though there is no shortage of free online tools you can use for these purposes, getting your reminders onto these tools still require your ability to organize.
Remember, when you work from home, you are on your own.
Focused
One of the things you can do to stay focused is to treat each day as though you’re really going to an office. Get up, shower, and get dressed for work.
This way, you’re not only getting yourself physically ready to work but also conditioning your mind for work.
Get enough rest and sleep. You won’t be able to concentrate and finish much if you’re fainting from exhaustion.
Best of all, think of the bills. If that can’t keep you focused, nothing will.
Motivated
You have to have the motivation to work. Having a quiet room or an ideal work space to keep you focused can only do so much. If you don’t have the motivation to finish your tasks, you’d be crawling back to bed to sleep or reaching for the remote to see if Jake and Rosa are found guilty in that Netflix series you’re watching (another good reason why you should have a separate work room without a bed, a TV, and other distractions).
Internet Savvy
Again, as a remote worker, you’re pretty much on your own. There’s plenty of places on the Internet where you’ll find help in case you run into a technical problem with your PC, but you’ll still need to be tech-savvy to DIY recommended fixes.
Aside from technical problems, you’ll also have to use numerous online platforms, tools, software, and devices. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with remote work if you’re not Internet savvy.
Don’t worry, tech skills can be acquired and learned. The willingness to learn cannot.
DIFFICULT? YES. IMPOSSIBLE? NO!
Everything on this post may be difficult but not impossible to do, be or have. All it takes is the desire to succeed and all of us already have that. How much of a desire you have to succeed in the online workforce and be a remote worker will determine the end.
If you’re willing to take your chance, get in touch with us. We’ll help you launch your online career right from your home. Speak with us now!