9 things the most successful remote workers always do

9 things the most successful remote workers always do9 things the most successful remote workers always doEvery remote worker faces unique challenges, whether its a distraction thats particularly hard to avoid or a task thats difficult to complete away from the office. However, by developing a few good habits and following some key suggestions, remote workers canovercome those obstacles and find successas members of virtual teams.9 Things the Most Successful Remote Workers Do1. Communicate, communicate, communicate.When youre leid in the same office as your boss and teammates, you need totake your communication skills to the next level. Use email, phone calls, video calls, online chat software, and whatever other tools you have at your disposal. Ask when and how different people want to hear from you, and follow those preferences. Be prepared to over-communicate to make sure you and your team members are collaborating effectively and your manager knows what youre doing. Its impossibl e to emphasize this enough, but if you want to succeed at working from home,you absolutely must focus time and energy on communication.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more2. Clarify expectations.This starts by having frequent and frank conversations with your boss and coworkers, making sure you know what they expect you to accomplish and when. Continue to manage expectations as you proceed with projects and tasks,providing updates and asking for clarification. When youve met your deadline, ask for feedback to make sure you did what you needed to do. This will ensure that you and your teammates are on the same page and help you build trust.3. Set a schedule and stick to it.Decide what your regular work hours will be and inform your boss, colleagues, and family of your schedule. Then do all you can to follow it. Yourcoworkers need to know when youll be availablefor work tasks and mee tings, and your family members need to know when you willnotbe available to them. Creating this routine is good for everyone.4. Create a dedicated home office space.When youset up a space that is specifically for your workand nothing else, it is a lot easier to get your work done because you dont have a lot of distractions, says an article from Glassdoor. Find a room in your home that is not used for other purposes, and turn that into your office. Of course, you always have the freedom to switch it up once in a while, and create a new and different workspace to keep you from becoming bored.5. Use task lists and other time management tools.With no manager hovering over your shoulder, asking for updates, you may find it easy to get distracted or to spend too long on a particular task or project. Create and use daily task lists,noting what you hope to accomplish and how long it should take. Seek out other time management tools, as necessary, to keep you on track and ensure that you mee t your deadlines.6. Take breaks.Without the rhythm of an office around you, its easy to get in a groove and forget to take a lunch break or stretch your legs with a quick walk. That may seem like a good way to enhance your productivity, but in reality, its a perfect recipe for burnout. If necessary,set an alarm to remind you to take occasional breaks. Youll find this helps you focus and keeps you refreshed so you can be the most effective and efficient worker possible.7. Exercise regularly.This follows along with taking breaks. If youre working from home, you may get in the habit of starting the days tasks as soon as you roll out of bed in the morning, foregoing a trip to the gym. Whether you go for a short walk each day in your lunch break or have (a) yoga sessionbefore you start the daily grind,keeping a regular exercise schedulewillhelp you to combat the sedentary lifestyle(and mindset) that remote work often brings, says an article from Process Street.8. Create a strong support system.Working remotely can lead to loneliness and isolation, so take steps tobuild a solid network of friends and family members. Being part of a community, even a virtual one, helps chip away at isolation and reduces anxiety, says an article fromForbes. Another way to boost camaraderie is to occasionally work out of a coffee shop, local co-working space, or another hotspot where remote employees like to hang out. Youll meet like-minded people and feel like youre part of the crowd, even though youll all be working on assignments for different companies.9. Plan occasional in-person meetings with team members.While communication technology will help you build strong virtual bonds,it cant replace face-to-face conversations. Whether once a month, quarter, or half-year, its useful tohave a regular cadence of visitationwith your team, says an article from Bonusly. In this way, everyone knows what to expect, and certain activities can be planned during your visit. If remote workers are in the minority, meeting in the office is usually the best setting. If you have a fully remote team, an offsite retreat is a great solution.Remember that, on some days, your plans will fall through, and you might not be able to exercise or stick to your schedule. Thats completely OK.Be flexible, adapt to circumstances, and keep trying to develop good habits like these.Doing so should help you become a successful, productive remote worker while also building a balanced life.This article originally appeared on FlexJobs.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people