Tips for Thriving in a Fully Remote Work Environment

These are just a handful of tips and best practices that I’ve found helpful while working remotely over the last decade plus.

*If you would rather watch than read then the video below is for you.

So this one might not be as useful as it would have been some number of years ago when COVID hit and everybody started working remotely full-time. I’ve been working fully remote for over a decade at this point, so I feel uniquely qualified as an expert to talk about working effectively in a fully remote environment.

Personal Accountability

The most important factor in determining if someone will be successful in a fully remote environment is personal accountability. I’ve seen it over and over again that people with high personal accountability thrive in this environment. If you’re the kind of person who frequently takes breaks for non-work-related activities, you will struggle to be effective in a fully remote setting. You have to be highly accountable to yourself to truly thrive and make the most of a remote work environment.

Comfortable and Efficient Setup

It’s crucial to ensure that you’re comfortable and set up for success. You need a good, comfortable chair that provides good back and arch support. Find your zen place. For me that’s having some of my collectibles setup and displayed in my office. (Yes the hero image is a picture of my work desk and yes I have toys displayed above my desk on the wall)

I recommend having a separate keyboard, mouse, and monitor setup. I have a second monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse that I use instead of the ones on my laptop. This setup allows for greater efficiency. In fact, I find it so helpful that if I need to do some work and I’m not at my full setup, I often wait until I can be at my workstation to ensure I’m working efficiently. This also helps set boundaries about where and how you work.

Consistent Practices and Schedule

It’s important to keep some consistent practices or scheduled elements in your day. I believe you should force yourself to take a full lunch break—take an hour in the middle of your day to go for a walk, eat lunch away from your computer, or even watch an episode of Netflix if it helps you take a break.

Stay Hydrated

Drink a lot of water and stay hydrated during your day. Often, when you feel hungry, you’re actually thirsty. Staying hydrated will reduce your hunger and prevent fatigue. Drinking water consistently also forces you to take regular breaks, which is beneficial for your health and productivity.

Over-Communicate

In a fully remote environment, over-communicating is crucial. Understand how different individuals prefer to be communicated with—some prefer Slack, others prefer calls, texts, or emails. Each form of communication has its own nuances, and it’s easy to lose context in written forms like email.

For quick communication, use Slack or instant messaging. For larger asks or group shares, use email. Remember that anytime you Slack someone, you’re interrupting their work, so be mindful of that. If you’re going back and forth a lot on Slack, consider jumping on a call. A five-minute call can provide clarity that gets lost in written communication.

Human Interaction

Humans are social animals who crave interaction. Because we don’t have water cooler moments anymore, it’s acceptable and expected to start and end conversations with small talk. Ask about your coworkers’ weekends or their hobbies. Building these connections helps foster a positive work environment.

Work Buddies

Find a work buddy or two with whom you can share gossip or vent. Having someone who understands your workday and can share those experiences is invaluable in a remote environment.

Optional Slack Channels

Having optional Slack channels for different hobbies and interests can help build stronger bonds between coworkers. Share pictures of your kids, dogs, or other interests. These shared experiences make you feel more connected and appreciated.

These are just a handful of tips and best practices that I’ve found helpful while working remotely.

Hopefully, there’s something here you can take and apply to your daily routine. But I’d love to hear from you—what have I missed? What are some things that you recommend? Leave them in the comments.

I look forward to learning from you too. Thanks, everyone, and have a good day!