The MeloTel team has long been used to remote work. Well in advance of the pandemic, many of our members worked from home. With the help of our cloud-hosted Commercial Phone Services and such incredible VoIP-based features like Cloud Softphone, working outside of the office was easy. We were and are still able to effectively communicate with each other in much the same way we would if we were in an office together.
Because our phone services are hosted over the cloud, all that is needed is an internet connection to make and take calls. No landlines are necessary. As well, the free Cloud Softphone app allows us to use our smartphones for easy extension-to-extension dialling. While it certainly is a huge benefit to make use of MeloTel’s cloud-hosted services to work remotely, there are many other steps to being an effective remote worker.
Create a regular work schedule.
Don’t assume that just because you don’t have to punch a clock you shouldn’t be mindful of the time. Working from home is NOT a synonym for laziness. Create a work schedule that determines specific hours of the day when you are to be working. This will keep you productive and on top of meeting deadlines. It will also ensure that you are accessible during hours when your co-workers may need to reach you.
On PCMag.com, Jill Duffy notes that having clear guidelines for when to work and when to call it quits promotes a healthy work-life balance. She notes, however, that one of the best benefits of remote work is flexibility. “Sometimes you need to extend your day or start early to accommodate someone else’s time zone,” writes Duffy, “When you do, be sure to wrap up earlier than usual or sleep in a bit the next morning to make up for it.”
Schedule your breaks.
For some remote workers, “getting the job done quickly” is the name of the game. They figure that, because they have flexibility, they can rush through their mornings to free up their afternoons. This approach doesn’t always help you to be efficient. Remote workers can suffer from burnout if they don’t schedule breaks and actually take them. Duffy also points out that getting away from your computer screen is an important way to maintain good health.
“For computer-based work and other sedentary work, it’s important to stand up and move to get your blood circulating every so often, at least once an hour,” she informs, “It also helps to move your eyes off screen regularly, even if it’s a micro-break of 10–20 seconds.”
Maintain a dedicated work space.
Working on a laptop while wearing pyjamas and sitting in your bed may sound like a relaxing way to do your job. However, it isn’t exactly the most effective way to handle your professional responsibilities. It’s wise to designate an area of your home that is exclusive to your work. That way, you can get yourself in a productive mindset. It should also help you to avoid distractions. Be sure to inform your family members and/or roommates about the privacy you need when in your home office.
To learn more about how MeloTel’s cloud-hosted services can help you to be an effective remote worker, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-888-MELOTEL or email support@melotel.com.
