Remote Productivity Unleashed: Hacks for Modern Professionals

The Remote Work Evolution

According to Forbes, 57% of workers won't hesitate to switch jobs if their current company doesn't support remote work. That's because of the unmatched flexibility, autonomy, and work-life balance that remote work brings.

As remote work continues to evolve, remote workers need to master helpful remote working hacks. That’s great for helping them streamline remote workflows, increase productivity, avoid mental health issues, and more.

7 Remote Working Hacks for Remote Professionals

Playroll.com is a Remote Employer of Record (EOR) that offers employment and payroll solutions. Our EOR services and platform features help employers manage their remote teams effectively. Below, we bring you 7 remote work hacks to help your remote team perform optimally.

1. Remote Time Management Hacks

Without proper time management, the flexibility of remote work can plummet one’s productivity. To optimize working hours and enhance productivity, remote workers need to master remote work hacks for  time management, including:

• Set a flexible work schedule with specific working hours
• Create a work plan with set deadlines to stay organized and focused.
• Track time for various tasks to understand where your time goes 
• Create a daily routine with start and end times to avoid underworking or overworking
• Experiment with your working schedule and optimize it around your most productive hours.

Playroll's time management track helps remote workers easily record daily working hours. Employees can log multiple periods throughout the day, or simply select their regular working hours.

2. Communication Strategies

Proper communication helps team members remain updated on the tasks they're working on. It also creates a sense of accountability so they don’t lag with uncompleted tasks.

Top remote working hacks for effective communication include:

• Use video conferencing tools for online meetings, remote presentations, etc
• Messaging apps to organize conversations by topic, project, groups, etc
• Set aside communication time to avoid distractions
• Use asynchronous communication tools like emails, project management software, cloud collaboration tools, video recording, etc
• Use status notifiers to show team members if you're busy, out of office, etc

3. Remote Workspace Optimization

Optimizing your workspace is one of the top remote working hacks. Creating a dedicated working area prepares you mentally for work, helping you stay motivated and focused. The best remote working tips for creating an efficient and ergonomic home office include:

• Create a working area designated only for work
• Separate your workspace from your living room or other personal spaces
• Turn a spare room into a home office
• If you don't have an extra room, have a dedicated work desk in a quiet corner
• Decorate your working area with lively colors, like greenery, yellow, etc
• Freshen up your workspace with ventilation for fresh air
• Invest in ergonomic office equipment like keyboards, work desks, and chairs.

4. Cybersecurity Best Practices

Working from home introduces new cybersecurity weak links. Remote teams can employ the following remote working hacks to secure remote working environments:

• Ensure regular software updates
• Use multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Use secure communication tools and ensure data encryption
• Use secure Wi-Fi networks and avoid public Wi-Fi
• Use a VPN to ensure privacy
• Use a well-update antivirus software
• Avoid clicking or opening suspicious links or documents to avoid phishing scams

Playroll is SOC 2 compliant. That shows our commitment to data security to protect your sensitive business data and maintain the highest industry standards.

5. Virtual Meeting Excellence

Virtual meetings are an integral part of remote work. Top remote working hacks to ensure successful and engaging virtual meetings include:

• Familiarize yourself with the virtual meeting platform setting and features
• Use a suitable camera, microphone, and headset to ensure video and audio quality.
• Use chat features, video interactions, and emojis to enhance engagement and interaction
• Adjust your lighting setup to ensure you're well-lit and easily visible.
• Raise your camera to eye level to maintain proper eye contact.

6. Wellness and Work-Life Balance

You need to deliberately take steps to break the social isolation of remote working. Top remote working tips to stay physically active and maintain your mental health include:

• Engage in physical exercise, like daily walks or yoga activities
• Work from a different location, like a coffee shop or public library
• Take short breaks to allow your brain to rest and recharge
• Make time to get in touch with family, friends, and colleagues
• Join remote working groups or communities and create time for social interactions

7. Professional Development Remotely

Continuous learning and skill development are vital to maintaining your remote professional edge. The best remote working hacks to keep you engaged in professional development include:

• Map out and document your remote career path
• Develop a reading culture and take advantage of learning opportunities
• Take advantage of online or employer mentoring programs
• Attend conferences and workshops
• Join professional networks
• Accept and act on relevant feedback from your employer or clients
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends
• Pursue online learning opportunities, like online courses, certifications, masterclasses, etc

Playroll.com Remote Employment Solutions

Remote working hacks help remote workers take control of their workday and stay organized and focused on their work. Start implementing the above remote working tips today, and you’ll see your productivity increase significantly over time.

Playroll.com is an all-in-one employment platform that offers employment and payroll solutions to employers. Our global employment solutions, on-time payroll, EOR expertise, and HR support help you build and manage a global team of remote workers.

Transform your remote employment with Playroll—your global EOR partner.