Here's how you can navigate the benefits and drawbacks of remote work as an employee.

Somehow I disagree with the description given on the left. Even in traditional offices, you encounter distractions which can throw you off track. SMART goals are relevant wherever you work, no matter what work you do. The main highlight of remote work is that there is absolutely no room for ambiguity. If there is, it is your responsibility to clear it up even though it didn't originate from your end. Instead of contemplating what others might think, it is better that we clarify things which might only take 5 mins and at the end of the day, it can save everyone a significant amount of time and eliminate risks as well.

You can make a list of the benefits as well as drawbacks in order to clearly recognize them. In terms of benefits it could be convenient since you do not travel saving money instead of using it on petrol or transport. Since you work at home your level of comfortability becomes high. While drawbacks could include disturbances from your relatives or children. You may lack the adequate resources or equipment to make working remotely a success such as a scanner and a printer and high performing laptop or desktop and internet connection.

Distractions that can derail the work exist in both traditional offices or remote. Defining Goals, be it project or personal development must be tailored to help individual team member rather than having just the common goals for the team. Each goal must be SMART. Involving each team member to define the goals, considering their aspirations, taking their buy-ins on the goals that you have defined for their development, and keeping it simple and straightforward are crucial for boosting the motivation to achieve the goals. Clear communication always triumphs. Continuous feedback and frequent checkpoints to align the goals also help keep the defined goals alive. Making sure that the team isn't overworking to achieve the goals is also vital.

Start by creating a dedicated workspace to separate professional and personal life, which helps in maintaining focus. Set a consistent schedule to structure your day, including regular breaks to prevent burnout. Utilize technology effectively for communication and collaboration, but also establish boundaries to avoid being "always on." Engage regularly with colleagues through video calls or virtual meetings to maintain connections and mitigate feelings of isolation. To address challenges like distractions at home, experiment with productivity techniques like the Pomodoro method. Finally, communicate openly with your manager about your needs and any support you require to be successful in a remote setting.

Very crucial. Personally, I use the Pomodoro technique but instead of 25-30 mins, I set it to 1 hour followed by a 10 minute break. It is also essential to communicate your schedules to your peers as well so that no one is left hanging. Utilize your calendars and block time accordingly.

Super important and something I found crucial in my transition from an in-person to an online working environment. Simply having a desk setup can make all the difference in establishing a simple routine and allowing your mind to shift into "work mode."

For me the most important thing is building a routine and structure around your work. In an office, a routine is usually set, but working from home or various locations requires intentional planning. Without a set routine, you may lose track of goals and time investment. I am religious about implementing strategic planning, as well as daily checkpoints around deliverables, blocking my calendar for focus time, and having specific days, like Fridays, as no-meeting days where I specifically focus on my strategic work and admin tasks. These practices help maintain my productivity and ensure I stay on track with my deliverables.

When I first began working remotely, it was very difficult to set boundaries with members of my household. To them, the fact that I was home meant I was not working. I believe that achieving deep work leads to better and more effective results, so being constantly interrupted, even for a short question, disrupts that flow. To address this, I established boundaries by creating a closed-off office space and using headphones to signal "work-time" and "do not disturb." This strategy works perfectly in my household, and I recommend discussing your boundaries with your family members to ensure a productive work environment.

The location from where you work is only important in The location from where you work is only important in terms of having a quiet atmosphere, a good wifi connection and free from distractions, not in terms of posting Instagram style pics on Linkedin and advertising that remote work means working in front of a swimming pool in a resort or from a balcony faced with gardens. Different people have different goals and that is fine. Just make sure you realize what is yours.

Transitioning to online work often leads to more meetings. Managers check in frequently, and team members stay updated on progress. However, this can harm productivity, especially for "MAKER" roles that require creating tangible outcomes. "MANAGER" roles focus on decision-making and updates from makers. To navigate remote work challenges, establish boundaries for makers' time. Frequent "5-minute update meetings" can disrupt deep work. Respecting their need for uninterrupted time enhances productivity and collaboration. Adjusting our management approach mitigates remote work drawbacks and leverages its potential.