8 Habits of Highly Successful Remote Workers

To keep up with their workload, productive remote workers need to maintain an appreciable level of professionalism. This means dressing like it, talking like it and working like it. They also know when to ask questions and how to get them answered in a timely fashion through polite (but assertive) follow-up.

1. Prioritize your work

One of the most important habits that remote workers can develop is learning how to prioritize their work while handling remote work legally. This is because effective task prioritization allows them to tackle their tasks calmly and purposefully, which can help them achieve personal and professional goals.

The first step to prioritize your work is understanding that not all tasks are equal. For example, answering an urgent email from a colleague may seem important, but it may not be as important as finishing a project by its deadline. Ultimately, you should only focus on tasks that will impact your career in the long-term.

To do this, you need to write down all the tasks that you need to complete. Then, determine which ones can be delegated or deleted. Next, consider which tasks will require more time and begin with those. This will ensure that you don’t get overwhelmed by your to-do list. Finally, you should regularly review your to-do list and update it as necessary. This will allow you to weed out old tasks, keep track of running deadlines, and make room for critical tasks.

2. Set realistic goals

Working remotely is no easy feat, and it’s crucial to set realistic goals. Achieving goals can help you stay motivated and productive throughout the day. You can start by evaluating the 5Ws of your objectives: what you want to achieve, who will help you get there, why it’s important, and when you need to accomplish the task. Once you’ve determined what your goals are, you can set measurable and realistic deadlines for yourself.

Another key to setting realistic goals is to focus on results instead of activities. Productive doesn’t necessarily equal effective, so it’s important to track your progress and see the impact of your work. This way, you can make changes if necessary. Additionally, you should also be sure to communicate regularly with your coworkers. Keeping the lines of communication open will ensure that everyone is on the same page and working effectively. For example, you can use a videoconferencing tool such as Neat to discuss projects with your colleagues. This will give you the opportunity to show your professionalism, which is essential when working remotely.

3. Take regular breaks

The best way to work efficiently is to schedule regular breaks throughout the day. This helps you prioritize tasks, stay focused and motivated to meet your goals, and ultimately reduces burnout over the long term.

Taking regular breaks also prevents you from working too much in the first place. Putting in long hours leads to feelings of overwhelm and fatigue, which can affect your cognition. It can also cause your relationships to suffer.

To make the most of your breaks, try to find a time that isn’t during your peak productivity. Ideally, breaks should be scheduled during natural lulls like over lunch or in the late afternoon.

During your breaks, it’s also important to avoid social media and mindless web browsing. Instead, try to do an activity that uses a different part of your brain than your work-related activities (e.g., reading a book or exercising). This can help restore your focus and improve cognitive performance upon returning to work. Ultimately, taking breaks regularly is one of the most critical factors to a successful remote career.

4. Ask for feedback

One of the key elements of a successful remote work career is asking for feedback on a regular basis. This allows for timely and effective resolution of issues, helps you stay on track with your goals, and increases knowledge sharing across the team.

It’s important to identify the proper people to ask for feedback, ideally those who have direct experience working with you. While the best source of feedback is your manager, it’s also helpful to get input from your peers and junior staff. Getting feedback from a variety of sources will give you a more holistic picture of your strengths and weaknesses, and will help you improve going forward.

The most effective time to seek feedback is when you are halfway through a project, according to research from Upstream. This will allow you to re-work your process before it’s too late and save valuable time. The most productive remote workers know the importance of professionalism and are constantly working to maintain it in their day-to-day activities. This ensures they earn the respect of their immediate supervisors and the company as a whole.

5. Be assertive

Being assertive is an important habit for remote workers to develop. It allows you to express your feelings and opinions clearly, and it also helps you to establish more transparent relationships with others. It also helps you to avoid burnout and stress, which are common problems among remote workers.

Assertiveness involves a balance of both passive and aggressive behaviour, so it’s important to be able to identify the appropriate time and place to be assertive. For example, if you speak too loudly or aggressively, you may come across as aggressive and hostile. On the other hand, if you speak too softly, your message may get lost in translation.

Assertiveness can be a difficult skill to learn, but it’s important to remember that your needs and opinions are valid, regardless of whether or not everyone agrees with you. Try to practise by observing how other people communicate, and by participating in activities that help you boost your self-esteem. For example, you can try writing about your emotions or talking about them with a trusted friend.


6. Get rid of unnecessary technology

Work from home jobs allow for more flexibility than traditional office jobs, but it’s still important to keep a healthy balance between your personal life and work. This means staying away from unnecessary technology, such as social media and video games, and limiting the time you spend in front of screens.

It’s also important to stay focused, so make sure your workspace is quiet and free of distractions. If you have other people living in your house, let them know when you need to focus and hang “Do Not Disturb” signs if necessary. This will help you minimize interruptions and get your work done efficiently.

Another great remote working habit is goal-setting. Setting goals keeps you motivated and helps you stay accountable to your work. Plus, it’s a good way to show your boss and coworkers that you’re committed to your work.

7. Keep a journal

Whether you’re working from home or on the road, keeping a journal can help you achieve your goals. It’s a great way to stay focused, accountable, and inspired.

A successful work-from-home career requires a high level of focus and concentration. But it can be easy to get distracted by socializing, household chores, or even your phone. Having a dedicated workspace and creating boundaries are important to ensure that you’re able to spend time working and not getting distracted. Journaling can also help you create those boundaries. By writing down what you’ve done each day that has moved you closer to your goal, you can see a clear picture of your progress and motivation.

You can also use your journal to break large goals into smaller, more manageable pieces. This can help you avoid becoming overwhelmed and discouraged if you’re facing a setback. It can also be helpful in identifying what hasn’t worked so that you can try something new.

8. Be social

Taking time to be social can take many forms. It can be as simple as chatting with the delivery guy while you wait for your pizza, or it could involve going to meet more of your friends. Being social is important because it can help build trust and connection in the workplace. It can also be an effective way to overcome the isolation that sometimes occurs when working remotely.

According to our respondents, managers who prioritize building relationships with remote workers are more successful than those who don’t. They check in frequently and consistently with their team members, often using “water cooler” conversation as an opportunity to ask about family, hobbies, and other personal matters.

For managers, this can mean setting aside daily or weekly times to talk with your team or colleagues—whether it’s in person or via a video conference tool like Slack or Zoom. It also means being familiar with and comfortable with a range of communication tools, so you can choose the ones that work best for your team’s needs.