Transitioning to a remote work environment can be challenging.  To help, we’ve compiled some of our favorite tips to help you successfully make the change.

1. Crank up the Communication
   Establish a consistent cadence of communication, including a daily huddle and weekly team meetings. Ensure you have an agenda for all meetings, and even if the agenda is light, have the meeting anyways. It’s a great opportunity to get some human interaction and get a pulse on how everyone is doing.
   Fun fact | Small talk that has nothing to do with work is a big deal.
   
   
2. Make a Plan, Learn from it, Stick to it | Establish a routine … and importantly, stick to it. Every morning write a to-do list of all the things you hope to get done that day. Set aside specific hours to answer emails, make conference calls, have lunch and write reports. The next thing you know, your at-home workday will be over.
   Fun fact | Routines seem simple, yet they can lead to big things.
   
   
3. Work Where You Feel Happy | Designate a workspace in your home that makes you feel comfortable and functional. Consider a good chair, solid desk, natural lighting and collaborative technologies. This will help you turn it ‘on’ at the beginning of the day and ‘off’ at the end of the day.
   Fun Fact | A happy work space makes for a happier outcome.
   
   
4. Be Present with Your Presence | Do your best to always be present. Turn your video on, actively participate in meetings, respond to questions and engage in chats with co-workers. Send a kudo, comment on a blog, or post a video or photo. The water cooler has turned virtual and your job is to remain ‘present with your presence.’
   Fun Fact | It’s the little things that can make a big difference.
   
   
5. Take Breaks, Eat and Get Moving | At home, it’s easy to stay stuck in one place. That’s not ideal. Take breaks throughout the day. Spend a few minutes with your spouse or kids, get food or water, take a longer break to work-out, or listen to a podcast. And try to get outside … even if its for a quick walk around the block.
   Fun Fact | Fresh air will always do you good.
   
   
6. Set Goals (and Beat Them) | To stay motivated, set some aspirational goals for how much work you hope to get done in a day. Keep records of what you do, and then see if you can top your personal best from day to day.
   Fun Fact | It’s amazing how much a goal can affect your effort.

We have embraced a modern workplace at AMTRA, and these are just a few of our favorite tips for working remotely. If you’d like help moving to a modern workplace, send us a note info@amtrasolutions.com.