4 Summer Tips For Remote Work & Productivity

During any time of the year, managing a successful remote work schedule can be quite a challenge, imagine managing a remote sales team. However, when summertime rolls around, the allure of vacationing at the beach or embarking on exciting adventures in different parts of the country can become an irresistible temptation.

The desire to soak up the sun, feel the sand between your toes, and explore new places adds an extra layer of complexity to balancing work and relaxation, making it crucial to find the proper harmony between productivity and relaxation when working remotely.

Here are some tips for working remotely during the summer to get work done while also enjoying the precious bonus.

Creating a well-defined schedule is crucial When working remotely and enjoying your destination during the summer. A thoughtfully crafted schedule helps establish clear boundaries between work and personal time, enabling you to maintain productivity and smash a healthy work-life balance.

Here are some tips for scheduling while working remotely in the summer:

- Determine your working hours: Set specific hours for work each day. Choose a timeframe that aligns with your peak productivity and ensures you have enough time to enjoy the destination. For example, you might decide to work from 9 am to 1 pm or 2 pm to 6 pm.

- Assign time for important tasks: Identify your most crucial work tasks and assign dedicated time slots for them in your schedule. This ensures that you prioritize and complete essential work while still having time to explore and relax. Give more focused hours for challenging or high-priority tasks; for example, you might want to follow-up with leads the first time in the morning and send your cold emails right afterward.

- Communicate your availability: Clearly communicate your working hours to your colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Let them know when you are available for meetings or collaboration, and when you may be offline for personal activities. If your personal activities intervene with crucial working hours, you might want to consider setting some OOO automated emails.

- Be flexible and adaptable: Recognize that remote work and summer schedules may require adjustments. Stay open to adapting your schedule based on unexpected circumstances, changing priorities, or opportunities that arise.

- Review and adjust regularly: Review your schedule and adjust as needed. Assess your productivity, energy levels, and the effectiveness of your work-life balance.

In addition to creating a well-defined schedule, time blocking can be a powerful technique to enhance your productivity while working remotely and enjoying your destination during the summer.

Here are some tips for effectively blocking your time:

- Set specific time slots: Give dedicated time blocks for different tasks and activities. Whether it's smaller tasks or larger projects, assigning specific time slots ensures you have focused periods to work on. For example, you might designate a two-hour block in the morning for important project work and a one-hour block in the afternoon for administrative tasks.

- Minimize distractions: To maintain focus during your time blocks, eliminate potential distractions. Silence or turn off notifications on your devices, close unnecessary browser tabs, and create a quiet work environment.

When working from a home office, it may be easier to set up your workspace. The first two points above are about when. Creating a workspace is about "where".

If you travel during the summer, you may be working from unfamiliar places. It's best to have a plan for what your reliable workspace(s) will be. You may be able to set up a comfortable workspace from your accommodation, or you may not. Nearby cafes are an option (with coffee and croissants!), or even a local public library can provide a quiet, distraction-free place.

Where you work is undoubtedly as subjective as how you work, so it will depend on what helps you be productive. The most important part is to plan your workspaces and be consistent so you are not losing time trying to find a workspace vs. actually working.

Here is a counterintuitive one: Don't forget to reward yourself, especially when you are proud of the work you've achieved for the day or week. Taking care of yourself outside work hours helps you get re-energized and prepared for the next day.

It can be small: meditating, leisurely downtime, entertainment, time out on the town, etc. Whatever it may be, your remote work process should account for de-stressing and re-charging.

In design, the term "white space" or "negative space" helps emphasize the elements around it, such as a logo. The same concept applies to remote work. The best remote process factors in the negative space and this directly translates to productive working hours.

When it comes to advice, it's important to remember that one size doesn't fit all. So, let's take a closer look at how we can apply this concept.

Firstly, what are some similarities in how you approach these points? Are there any areas where you can align your actions with the advice given?

On the other hand, it's equally crucial to explore what sets you apart. What unique approaches or strategies do you employ that differentiate you from the conventional wisdom?