For many people, working from home is a dream come true—making money without a lengthy commute, having the flexibility to set your own hours, and spending more time with family are big perks. However, remote work comes with its own set of challenges.
Cultivating certain traits will help set you up for success in a remote position. If you’re considering a work-from-home job, fine-tuning these skills will help you stay productive and feel connected while working remotely.
Sharp focus
You’ll have plenty of work to do, and you’ll still have deadlines—but unlike a normal office environment, you won’t have anyone else around to help you stay on task. It it’s easy for you to stay focused, however, working remotely will be a breeze. But even if you sometimes struggle with staying on task, you can still work from home successfully. Things like setting up a designated home office, breaking up your work into short, manageable tasks, and knowing and avoiding easy distractions will help.Critical thinking
One of the challenges from working from home is the need to figure out the solution to a problem without input from a manager or co-workers. As a remote employee, you may need to do your own research online or use your company’s database to figure out a solution. Luckily, this usually isn’t a difficult thing to do. If you’re comfortable finding answers independently, you’ll be a great fit for the work-from-home life.Organizational skills
Working in an office often motivates to keep your desk clean and presentable since others will see it. But at home, it’s easy for clutter to collect in your workspace. Staying organized is vital to successful remote work, so setting aside a few minutes each day to clean and organize your desk will help you succeed.Communication skills
Most work-from-home jobs require a lot of communication through email. This means you’ll have to be very proactive with your questions and concerns—if you need clarification on an assignment, for example, it’s best to ask for it immediately. You’ll also have to be very clear in your emails so no time is wasted in getting you the information you need.![Man on cell phone with cityscape in background](http://s45484.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/AdobeStock_192035086-750x450-1.jpg)