Artisan Creative is celebrating 20+ years in staffing and recruitment of creative professionals. Over the years we’ve learned a thing or two that we’d like to share with you. We hope you enjoy the 424th issue of our weekly a.blog.
More and more employers, employees, and freelancers are thinking outside the cube.
According to a recent Gallup survey covered in The New York Times, as many as 43% of employed Americans spend at least some of their professional time working at home or off-site, representing a four-point increase from 2012 and indicating a growing trend toward remote work.
This trend may seem liberating, however, with freedom comes responsibility. Remote work pumps different muscles of accountability and discipline.
If you’re new to remote work or plan to work remotely in the future, these best practices can help maintain or improve your productivity.
1. Get to know the team
When starting a new remote freelance assignment or a new full time remote job, you’ll want to learn everything you can about the company, its team, and its culture.
Since you will not be seeing everyone in person on a daily basis, it may take longer to get to know the team or manage issues as they arise. Miscommunication may affect your work and your relationships if you aren’t familiar and intuitive enough to mitigate them.
However, if you understand the people you work with and share their values and mission, you will have an easier time hashing out difficulties through email or video meetings.
2. Keep the Paths of Communication Open
When you are communicating as a remote worker, err on the side of generosity.
If you can, schedule regular check-ins to discuss how things are going and address any potential issues before they turn into active problems. It’s key to be open, honest, and thorough in all your communications. Setting up virtual zoom meetings or participating in your company’s slack channels can be a good way to stay connected.
Since most of your communication will be digital, take care to avoid digital miscommunication. Learn to convey your professional diligence and interpersonal skills through digital channels, and respond to any questions or concerns as quickly and thoughtfully as you can.
3. Find the Right Environment
For some people, working from home is a dream come true. They roll out of bed, start the coffee maker, and “commute” to their desks, twenty seconds away.
Others may work better in “third places” that are neither homes nor offices. These workers may find their ideal environments in coworking spaces or coffee shops. It is no coincidence that, as remote work has increased, new spaces and industries have appeared to accommodate those who still need to separate their work from the rest of their lives.
Wherever you decide to work, make sure the atmosphere is ideal for your productivity. If you are energized by the bustling ambiance, try working from a coffee shop. If you need quiet and isolation, find a peaceful place to work and set boundaries to protect it.
This requires some trial and error, so before you commit to full-time remote work, understand your own patterns, preferences, and boundaries. Any assignment is easier when you’re tackling it within your designated sweet spot.
4. Know Thyself
The right external environment is as essential as the right mindset. The relative freedom of remote work can empower you to play to your strengths.
The new world of work provides more freedom than ever before. Making the most of it requires wisdom, experimentation, and sensitivity to your own body and mind.
That’s where Artisan Creative can help. We work with a wide variety of talent with different styles and work preferences. We can help you play to your strengths and uncover opportunities where your skills and efforts will be the most appreciated. Contact us today to learn more.