Working remotely offers some fantastic benefits, but you have to balance these with the responsibility to manage your time effectively and to be productive. For all the digital technology available that enables you to work remotely, there are still some common mistakes that can impede you from being as productive as you might have hoped. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to avoid making these six common errors.

1. Failing To Establish A Workspace

You need to make sure that you have a designated workspace in your home. Most importantly, try to work at a table if you can. Although you might be tempted to work from your sofa or bed, this will actually prove counter-productive in the long run and can lead to back and neck pain. Find a quiet, well-lit spot in your home and set up your workspace there. Remember to organize your desk so that you have everything you need and know where it is when you need it.

2. Getting Distracted

It’s important for you to be able to focus on your work so as to ensure that you’re as productive as possible. In order to do that, you need to try to eliminate distractions as much as possible. When you’re working, turn off your social media, and don’t be tempted to get side-tracked online. Set aside some designated work hours and stick to them. If you find noise in your home problematic, invest in some noise-canceling headphones. You may find it more beneficial to work for shorter blocks of time where you don’t get interrupted as often.

3. No Clear Boundaries

Whilst you have greater flexibility when working remotely, this can blur the lines between your professional personal life. It’s just as easy to get side-tracked doing chores as it is to check emails after hours.

“It’s essential that you set clear boundaries for yourself when you’re working from home,” says John Page, HR at Statistics Assignment Help and EliteAssignmentHelp. “Separate your work from your home life. Create a schedule at the start of the week and stick to it. This includes setting yourself clear work hours and factoring in some much-needed breaks. Schedule in some time to move around too, away from your desk and screens.”

4. Sticking To Old Routines

You don’t need to stick to the same routines you had when you were working in the office. Instead, try to find a new daily routine that works for you, your job, and your family. Think outside the box when it comes to your working hours. Maybe you want to start working earlier in the day or work in 2-3-hour blocks, with a couple of hours in-between each one. You might find that you need to schedule in some more contact time with your manager than before. Don’t be afraid to explore the options and find one that works for you.

5. Having Unrealistic Expectations

One of the most common mistakes when working remotely is to overestimate how much you can actually get done at home.

“You need to be realistic about how much time you actually have,” explains Joyce Cassell, a tech blogger at Essay Writing Service and Essay Help. “Rather than just taking on more work, pause and assess whether or not you can actually complete it to the set deadline. Don’t be afraid to ask for some extra time to help you get the work done to the best of your ability. You might have good intentions, but over-committing yourself and failing to deliver can end up getting you into trouble and will cause unnecessary stress.”

6. Not Communicating With Colleagues

Working remotely can feel quite isolating. Make sure that you schedule in some time to check in with your team and your supervisor each day or week. With the technology available, you have lots of options for how to do this. You can send a quick email, updating your team on your progress. Alternatively, you can also set up weekly conference calls or video calls for the team to share their work and updates. Spending some time doing online networking can prove invaluable in helping you to forge stronger connections with your co-workers and help promote future working relationships.