Your Remote Work Survival Guide: how to do it and not go (too) crazy

“I really like my life. I’ve arranged my life so that I can do what I want.” — Warren Buffett

In the days of COVID-19, companies and workers are going remote faster than we can all say “quarantine”. My social media feeds are filled with everyone I know mobilizing to make amazing things happen in the middle of this crisis. Musicians are finding online work; virtual summits are popping up left and right; teaching is becoming a virtual endeavor. And lots of people are talking about cabin fever.

I have had an online business for four years. In the beginning, the transition was stark: I went from having my schedule dictated by the times that I had to be at work, to a freelance lifestyle that meant making my own working hours. Suddenly, I could wake up when I wanted, and I could work wearing my pajamas if I felt like it. (Side note: I very often felt like it. I sometimes still do.)

It’s been four years, and I learned a lot of this the hard way. But with thousands of people going remote within the last week, the transition can feel like a major disruption. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Set, and keep, a schedule. If you have the luxury of setting your own schedule, create one and keep to it. Your remote schedule may look a bit different from your commuter schedule, and that’s okay. It’s important to honor what works for you. Consider when you do your best thinking, what you need to get started with a clear head, how you’ll work in breaks, and when you’ll end your workday. I recommend blocking out break times on your calendar — for me, I’ve always kept my gym sessions in the calendar in the same way that I would schedule my meetings.
2. Don’t underestimate the power of remote company culture. These days, there are lots of tools to help remote workers stay in contact. Tools like Slack, Trello, Monday, and Zoom can help bridge the remote gap and make your team feel connected. The important thing as a manager is to consider what works for the team, not just what works for you. I once took hours to set up all of my team’s weekly tasks to automatically reset every week on Trello, but it wasn’t useful for the team. It was frustrating for everyone to get notifications that the tasks they hadn’t checked off were overdue. We stopped using Trello within a few weeks. On the other hand, I know that my team loves Slack — it’s useful for quick communications about tasks, requests for help, and also the occasional GIF. This weekend, I checked Slack and ended up joining a conversation about Dungeons and Dragons in the general channel. As much of our team has never met in person (but apparently are all serious nerds), it’s a nice tool for everyone to feel connected.
3. For the love of all that is holy, set some boundaries. When I first started, I was available all the time. And when you have one or two clients, being available all the time may not feel like that big of a deal. But as things became busier, being available all the time meant that I was answering emails at all hours, and that I wasn’t taking the time to unplug. So when you set your availability hours, stick to them. Away messages and auto-responders are your friend. Because I take several longer breaks throughout the day, I personally stop checking my phone at 9PM, which gives me a few hours to relax and have creative time before I go to sleep.
4. Don’t forget your wellbeing. Since you’re already attached to your laptop every day, it’s easy to transition into a Netflix binge once you’re done working. My personal kryptonite is a working lunch, which somehow makes me feel like I never ate and also never worked at all. It’s crucial to keep your wellness in focus. I have a great trainer and group of women that I regularly work out with (shoutout to the #SundayAssassins), and we’re in the process of figuring out how to make this all work in the time of the Coronavirus. An accountability group can work wonders when it comes to staying active while quarantined. I also try to eat healthy foods at meal times and for snacks. If I’m not exercising on a particular day, I try to take stretch breaks and at least one walk — even if it’s just to get coffee. It’s also important to have some non-work related conversations, whether it’s with a room mate or family member, a partner, or via phone or video chat with a friend.
5. Social media is (sometimes) your friend. This may sound strange coming from me, given that I pay my bills as a social media consultant: use social media with caution. It’s great for keeping up with your friends and loved ones and for networking. It can even be a great tool for new business. But it’s also an echo chamber. Case in point: my feeds these days are filled with news and stories about #coronavirus. Friends are scared, angry, frustrated, sad. It’s easy to spend an afternoon commenting on friend’s posts. Social media is great, but be vigilant about the time you spend there — it can be a real time waster, and in a time like this, can contribute to anxiety and stress.
6. Above all, be kind. Tensions are running high. People are finding themselves suddenly without work, or with less work, or in drastically different employment situations. We’re all worried about our own health and the health of our loved ones. Be gentle with those who you interact with on a daily basis — including your team. When this is all over, my assertion is that what we’ll remember is how we made each other feel.

What has your biggest challenge been when it comes to working from home?

Marie Incontrera is a musician and entrepreneur living in Brooklyn, NY. To get an invitation to her upcoming theatre summit, sign up here.