You probably already know that ‘Work Smarter, Not Harder’ is my personal motto. It is a concept that is getting more and more important nowadays, especially for ‘remote workers’. In this upcoming aging of digital nomads – so many of you are working outside the traditional office environment. This asks for new strategies to productivity and success.

In this blog I will share my top 4 strategies for working remotely, to work smarter, not harder. 

Create a Dedicated Workspace

My work set-up is my biggest necessity for being productive and successful, working remotely. It seems perfect, working from your bed or from the beach, but it can be counterproductive. You are not only more prone to distractions, but working without a decent set can also cause some posture problems and pains (your neck/back will thank me later). So create a dedicated space where you just work (& don’t play), where you can sit up straight, there is enough light and not too many distractions. A dedicated workspace will create focus that will enhance your productivity working remotely, making you work smarter (not harder).

Establish a Routine

This one might feel a bit paradoxical, since you started working remotely to be free off office hours and commuting routines, but believe me it’s needed. On one hand to be productive & on the other to hold yourself accountable. So ‘set’ a time to wake up, start working & stop working, so you know what to expect. Also include time for things such as exercise, play, reading a book, downtime or time with friends, so you don’t forget about these things too. A routine saves you time thinking about things which will increase productivity and make you work smarter, not harder. 

Set Clear Goals and Priorities

When you are working remotely, it is just you who is responsible for showing up. Without accountability from others (coworkers, clients etc.) it is sometimes hard to stay disciplined. Therefore it is important to set effective goals, goals just for you, focussed on what you want and need to accomplish. Prioritize these goals for direction and tangible tasks for yourself. Direction and manageable goals make it easier to show up for yourself, clients and coworkers. Make sure you keep setting goals and prioritizing while working remotely, so you don’t have to work harder, just smarter. 

Stay Connected with Colleagues

or clients, or (work)friends who are also working remotely. It can be very hard to stay focused when you feel isolated or disconnected from your team, clients or purpose. We all long for some human contact, also in the workspace, so make sure you stay connected. Use tools to stay in touch during the day and make sure that you plan calls with colleagues or clients regularly. Is it just you working by yourself? Make sure you can find a sparring partner / friend to keep you motivated to work smarter (not harder), while working remotely. Nothing energizes more, than surrounding yourself with the right energy – so make sure to create that for yourself even if you are working abroad & remotely. 

So in short: creating the right physical space (workspace), the right environment (connections) and setting goals & a routine keeping you on track are the main strategies to make you work smarter, not harder and contribute to a successful journey, working remotely.