{"id":1220,"date":"2021-07-28T10:54:38","date_gmt":"2021-07-28T14:54:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/?p=1220"},"modified":"2025-10-10T01:49:38","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T05:49:38","slug":"9-challenges-i-faced-while-working-remotely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/9-challenges-i-faced-while-working-remotely\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Challenges I Faced While Working Remotely"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s easy to say that remote work is a piece of cake. After all, who doesn\u2019t want to have the flexibility that comes with working from home? This is how most people who\u2019ve never tried remote work think about it.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In reality, remote work <a href=\"https:\/\/remo.co\/blog\/2021\/06\/16\/pros-and-cons-of-working-from-home-in-2021-and-beyond\/\">comes with its challenges<\/a>. As a person, who\u2019s been working from home most of my life, I had to overcome them as well. Although, it was less stressful since I wasn\u2019t <a href=\"https:\/\/www.peoplehum.com\/blog\/the-future-is-remote-working-are-you-prepared\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">forced to work remotely<\/a> by the global pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best thing you can do with any struggle is to face it; avoidance has never helped anybody. So, let\u2019s face the nine most common remote work challenges together, and I will explain to you how to tackle them.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>1.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp; <\/span><b>Time Management and Scheduling<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When I first started working remotely, I felt excited, so I blindly took as many projects as possible to create a robust freelancer portfolio. But even as a full-time office employee starting their new job, you can experience the same sentiment: why not dive headfirst into work?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soon, you start recognizing the problem. Every task seems like a top priority, and your workday becomes unmanageable. It\u2019s your time management incompetence shining through, and most people experience the same when they start working remotely.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you find yourself struggling with creating a daily work schedule, it\u2019s time to fix the situation. Here are a few things that helped me get my daily work life on track:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Learn how to prioritize<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Create a list of tasks you need to do during the day. Then, prioritize the most urgent and important ones. Once you have all the high-priority tasks, identify the ones that should be completed immediately.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Use a time tracker<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you have a super urgent task on the table, and you want to avoid distractions, set a stopwatch on your phone. It will get your brain into the hard work mode, with the strict time limit holding you accountable. But make sure you don\u2019t hustle \u2013 it can negatively impact the quality of work.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Employ scheduling tools<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For instance, project management software can come in handy to help you prioritize the right tasks and <a href=\"https:\/\/timeplango.com\/en\/blog\/implementing-a-punch-clock-expert-advice-for-keeping-employees-satisfied\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">organize your work<\/a> in general. Besides, your manager will see your progress as well.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t forget to include regular breaks in your work schedule, even if it seems that you don\u2019t have that luxury. You\u2019d be surprised, but you can\u2019t rely on willpower alone \u2013 it\u2019s an exhaustible resource and won\u2019t last long.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It doesn\u2019t matter how you spend your breaks. You can take a 15-minute nap, <a href=\"https:\/\/healthybeat.com\/fitness\/benefits-of-walking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">have a short walk<\/a>, play a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solitairebliss.com\/\">game of solitaire<\/a> or do a few jumping jacks. Scrolling through cute pictures of kittens won\u2019t hurt you, too.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japanese research<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has proven that kawaii (cute) pictures of animals promote careful behavior and narrow attentional focus.&nbsp; By doing these quick and relaxing activities, you&#8217;re able to press the mental refresh button so you concentrate better on your work.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>2.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp; <\/span><b>Extended Work Hours<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One more trap you can fall into when taking on too many projects on remote work is overtime. At this point, even setting a schedule won\u2019t help if you have too many tasks on the line.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many people who\u2019ve worked from home for quite a while will agree with this statement. It is especially true for<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicinformatics.com\/remote-product-development-guide\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">remote developers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, digital marketers, and customer service representatives who monitor data around the clock.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What can working overtime daily do to you?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same as an improper work schedule would, which is gradually draining your brain. You will feel fatigued, unmotivated, and struggle with focus. Pushing through this state won\u2019t help \u2013 if you overwork your mind, it will start taking a toll on your body.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, to make sure you don\u2019t get trapped in this vicious circle, employ the following techniques right away:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Set the number of work hours right away. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re a <a href=\"https:\/\/yourlifestylebusiness.com\/how-to-start-freelancing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">freelancer<\/a>, fill in the<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.resume-now.com\/resume\/templates\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">resume template<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with the number of weekly work hours at the beginning of the project. You can also speak to your manager directly so that you both have realistic expectations.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Analyze the situations where you had to work overtime<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you find one or two tasks that usually force you into working overtime, make them a shared responsibility with another colleague or speak with your manager.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><b>Delegate work to your colleagues or other freelancers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. When possible, try outsourcing some of the tasks to those who can complete them faster.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remote work can indeed be flexible, and the key to it is the work-life balance. If you find yourself working overtime, this is a sign that the balance has been distorted.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>3.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp; <\/span><b>Lack of Direction<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The transition to <a href=\"https:\/\/whatfix.com\/blog\/remote-workforce-management\/\">remote work<\/a> at the start of the pandemic is still fresh in everyone\u2019s memory. A lot of people experienced burnout, seemingly due to their inability to manage their time.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, you can\u2019t always blame all the problems with remote work on time management. Besides,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2019\/12\/burnout-is-about-your-workplace-not-your-people\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harvard\u2019s research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shows that burnout is more about the workplace organization, not about the people. And, in most cases, the lack of direction from leaders is to blame.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do you create a sense of direction in a team that\u2019s fully remote?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communication is the key, and it doesn\u2019t have to take much of your time. For instance, if you<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/baremetrics.com\/blog\/how-to-build-a-sustainable-remote-team-culture-using-video\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build remote work culture using video<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> calls and make 15-minute daily syncs a regular thing in your company, it will help your team be more organized and better understand the purpose of their efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What about freelancers?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your work depends on you, it may seem like doing it isn\u2019t taking you anywhere. Freelancers often struggle with finding a sense of direction, but this problem is fixable.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to choose the projects that will teach you a clear set of skills, both hard and transferable. Each project should be an upgrade from a previous one to show that you\u2019re growing as a professional.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you lose a sense of direction when working on a project, try to break it down into tangible milestones. This trick will help you track your progress better and make you feel more accomplished.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>4.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp; <\/span><b>Procrastination and Distractions<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a lot of misconception on the internet about procrastination. However, procrastination is our brain\u2019s natural reaction to continued stress and fatigue.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So what should you do if your brain jumps from one distraction to another?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It might sound silly or unusual, but forgive yourself for procrastinating first. A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/law.utexas.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/Pretend-Paper.pdf\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2010 study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has shown that students who forgave themselves for getting distracted while preparing for their first exam procrastinated less when studying for the next one.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, handle the distractions around you. It\u2019s impossible to eliminate all the distractions, but you can minimize them using the following techniques:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Declutter your workspace<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Piles of documents, empty cups, journals, etc. \u2013 the more clutter you have on your table, the more it distracts you. So, first things first \u2013<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blog.consultants500.com\/recruiting-hr\/effectively-organize-work-remote\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">organize your remote work<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by putting together a neat workspace.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Use technology<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. When I found myself watching too many videos or scrolling through social media on my phone, I used the Forest app to stop myself from procrastinating. Besides, when using this app, you help its creators plant actual trees around the world.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Take breaks religiously. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As I already mentioned before, a 15-minute break can do wonders. After every hour of hard work, give yourself a short break to regroup and recharge your brain.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Procrastination is not a sign of laziness; it\u2019s a sign of burnout. It\u2019s the lack of energy to commit to one task. Once you recognize that, it will be easier for you to deal with distractions.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly, using a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vpnunlimited.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VPN<\/a> can help minimize digital distractions, ensuring a secure and focused online environment essential for maintaining productivity in remote work settings. To create a conducive work environment at home, consider incorporating a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mysteriumvpn.com\/mysterium-vpn-for-windows\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">VPN for Windows<\/a> to reduce digital distractions and improve focus<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, adopting a reliable service like a <a href=\"https:\/\/proxy-store.com\/en\/type\/shared\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">proxy-store<\/a> can provide an added layer of security and anonymity online, which is particularly beneficial for remote workers seeking to protect their digital footprint and enhance their internet privacy. <a href=\"https:\/\/proxidize.com\/proxy-server\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Using proxy servers<\/a> in this way not only safeguards your data but also minimizes online distractions, helping you maintain focus while working remotely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>5.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp; <\/span><b>Communication Issues<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In remote work, communication can be a problem, especially for those who just started working from home. It will take you a while to find the right person to connect with. Besides, some people are just slow to respond.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, if you\u2019re at the beginning of your path as a remote worker, expect communication to be a problem. But it\u2019s definitely not a challenge impossible to overcome.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, if you manage a remote team, switch to a communication tool that will make instant communication possible.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nifty<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a great option in this case \u2013 it\u2019s a perfect tool to bring all those email conversations and attachments under one roof and keep your team and client collaborations organized.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, prioritize communication in your company culture. Virtual water cooler conversations are a great solution to help your team spend more time together.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1388\" height=\"790\" src=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/In-app-communication.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/In-app-communication.png\" alt=\"in app communications\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1225\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271388%27%20height%3D%27790%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201388%20790%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271388%27%20height%3D%27790%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/In-app-communication-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/In-app-communication-768x437.png 768w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/In-app-communication-1024x583.png 1024w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/In-app-communication.png 1388w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1388px) 100vw, 1388px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On that note, why not implement some<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.workast.com\/blog\/remote-team-building-apps-and-ideas-your-team-wont-hate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fun team-building ideas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to strengthen the relationships between team members as well? For instance, you can organize a movie night or a virtual museum tour to help your team connect better.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>6.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp; <\/span><b>Security Issues<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re working from home, it might seem like a safe space, but not from the point of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdstrike.com\/cybersecurity-101\/cloud-security\/cloud-security-risks-threats-challenges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cybersecurity<\/a>. According to statistics,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/firstsiteguide.com\/internet-stats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hackers attack every 39 seconds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and you\u2019re under threat regardless of whether you\u2019re in the office or in the comfort of your own home.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to make every effort to protect both your company\u2019s data and your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aura.com\/learn\/digital-security\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">private information<\/a> when working remotely. And <a href=\"https:\/\/buyersguide.org\/Antivirus-Software\/t\/best\">downloading an antivirus<\/a> is not the only thing you should do.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a few more tips I use to improve my cybersecurity when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jotform.com\/work-from-home-guide\/\">working from home<\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Keep up with the updates<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Cybersecurity software, the antivirus \u2013 everything you use should be up-to-date. Why? Software updates frequently contain security improvements that help protect your device and the information stored on it.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Use VPN<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. To protect your connection, the fastest VPN is <a href=\"https:\/\/trust.zone\/post\/5-things-you-didnt-know-you-can-do-with-a-vpn\">the best solution<\/a>, but cybersecurity is not the only thing it provides. For instance,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vpnguru.com\/reviews\/expressvpn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ExpressVPN<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has over 3,000 servers in different countries, opening access to information that otherwise might not be accessible in your location.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Level up your password game<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It might sound like a broken record but try to create passwords using upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Enable two-factor authentication wherever you can<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.daito.io\/\">Two-factor authentication<\/a> (verification), also called <a href=\"https:\/\/rublon.com\/multi-factor-authentication-mfa-solutions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">multi-factor authentication<\/a>, ties your phone number to your online accounts. To log in, you will have to confirm that it\u2019s you and not the hacker with an SMS code or a call. This way, you add an extra layer of protection for improved <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ekransystem.com\/en\/blog\/best-cyber-security-practices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cybersecurity<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, try to follow <a href=\"https:\/\/privacysavvy.com\/security\/safe-browsing\/cybersecurity-tips\">widely accepted cybersecurity rules<\/a> when working from home \u2013 don\u2019t share private information with suspicious websites or individuals, avoid clicking on unknown links and <a href=\"https:\/\/clario.co\/blog\/google-virus-warning-on-android\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fake virus warnings<\/a> in private messages or emails, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.identityguard.com\/news\/do-i-need-identity-theft-protection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">protect your identity<\/a> and private information in all possible ways.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>7.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp; <\/span><b>Limited Access to Work Resources<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One major issue I had to face when I started working remotely is the limited access to resources I needed for work. And, as research proves, the same problem pertains to remote workers today as well \u2013<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flexjobs.com\/blog\/post\/flexjobs-survey-finds-employees-want-remote-work-post-pandemic\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">58% of Flexjobs survey participants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> say they regularly experience technical or software issues.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your company transfers you to the home office, you should communicate your needs to your team leader right away. Mention the resources you usually have access to at work and ask whether they will still be available to you while working remotely.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which resources will you need to do your job from home?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The list of <a href=\"https:\/\/jooble.org\/jobs-remote-work-from-home\">remote work<\/a> tools is quite extensive and usually includes a project management solution and a few communication tools to keep up with your co-workers. However, this list will vary depending on the nature of your job.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What if you\u2019re an independent contractor?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I have bad news for you \u2013 most likely, you will have to purchase all the tools yourself. However, it never hurts to ask your project manager whether they can share access to some resources with you.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>8.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp; <\/span><b>Lack of Motivation<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s face it \u2013 your remote work planning and management is on you, and it can be quite hard to keep up with. That\u2019s why a lot of work-from-home newbies may feel a lack of motivation because there\u2019s also a lack of guidance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While creating the sense of direction is your leaders\u2019 responsibility, you still can include some self-motivators in your day to make yourself more productive. Here are a few remote work strategies that worked for me:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Work in small blocks of time<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This is a good strategy if you have a lot on your plate. Break down your workday into small blocks of intense work changed by brief breaks.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Ask your team leader for feedback<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you feel stuck on a certain task, you can talk to your team manager and ask for support and feedback. Their input can motivate you to move forward with the task.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Reward yourself<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Have you completed a difficult task that took you quite a while, but no one recognized your effort? Don\u2019t wait for someone else to praise you and reward yourself for putting energy into a task. It\u2019s a great self-motivation technique.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, employee motivation depends a lot on the company and its leaders, who sometimes don\u2019t pay the much-needed attention to it. Remote work can negatively impact employee motivation, so make sure you raise this issue with your team leaders to avoid burnout.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>9.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp; <\/span><b>No Time for Professional and Personal Development<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, the most upsetting remote work challenge you might face is the lack of time for yourself. When you consciously step into remote work, you expect it to give you the extra time you need for professional and personal development. In reality, it rarely works that way unless you make some sacrifices.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As I mentioned, work-life balance is crucial to the employee\u2019s success, regardless of whether they work from their home or the office. But sometimes, outside factors can obstruct your efforts to dedicate time to professional and personal development.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortunately, you always have options. For instance, if you\u2019re unable to leave your house, you can opt for<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eduardklein.com\/best-online-course-platforms\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online courses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lrnkey.com\/blog\/good-skills-can-be-learned-online\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">learn your skill from the comfort<\/a> of your own home. Besides, you\u2019ll also be studying at your own pace.&nbsp; To make the process of studying even more comfortable and efficient, you can use such a tool as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.movavi.com\/screen-recorder-mac\/\">screen recording program<\/a> so that you can record a lesson or a webinar. It might be helpful if you want to analyze this lesson or webinar later or if you need to refresh some of the information from this course in the future<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, talk to your team leader about professional development opportunities. Describe how a certain course or workshop will benefit your performance and ask for extra time off to complete your studies.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Don\u2019t Let the Challenges Bring You Down<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working remotely is not a fairy tale. It takes quite some time to adjust to its caveats, not to mention the problems you\u2019ll have to tackle along the way. Let\u2019s quickly recap these challenges and the solutions to them:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Time management and scheduling\u2014learn how to prioritize, use a time tracker and employ scheduling tools.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extended work hours \u2013 detect the tasks that lead to overtime and share or delegate them to other co-workers.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of direction \u2013 implement 15-minute daily calls with the team to better understand the purpose of your work.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Procrastination and distractions \u2013 declutter your workspace, use technology to minimize distractions, and take regular breaks to help your mind rest.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communication issues \u2013 switch to all-in-one communication tools and prioritize communication-first culture in your company.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Security issues \u2013 level up your password game, <a href=\"https:\/\/earthweb.com\/vpn-for-iphone\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">use VPN<\/a>, and keep all your software updated.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited access to work resources \u2013 speak to your project manager and highlight the importance of the tools you need to complete your work tasks.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of motivation \u2013 work in small blocks of time, ask your team leader for support and feedback and reward yourself for hard work.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No time for professional and personal development \u2013 prioritize work-life balance.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s easy to say that remote work is a piece [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":1223,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[152,153],"class_list":["post-1220","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-remote-work","tag-remote-work-challenges"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1220","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1220"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1220\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1220"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1220"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1220"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}