By Lara Plathe | Senior project manager, Strategic America

More and more companies are seeing the value of letting employees work remotely. According to a study by Owl Labs, 52% of employees from all over the world work remotely at least once per week. Spending time away from the office and being able to concentrate on work without as many distractions certainly has its benefits, but there are some things to keep in mind to stay focused and engaged with the rest of your team.

I’ve been working remotely for the past six years, and here are some tips that I find helpful to maintain productivity and stay connected with my co-workers and clients.

1. Treat mornings as if you are going to the office. If you’ve worked remotely, you probably have heard some jokes about working in sweats or pajamas. You don’t have to put on a suit, but I’ve found that dressing in business casual and getting ready as though I’m heading to the office or a meeting puts me in the right frame of mind.

2. Designate a workspace. Create a place in your home that is dedicated just for work. This helps keep any potential distractions hidden and your work front and center. It’s also beneficial when it’s time to walk away and call it a day.

3. Schedule regular updates with team members. Since you aren’t sitting with your team, it’s important to make sure everyone knows what you’re working on, even if it’s just a quick call to bring them up to speed. You can also get any company updates you might have missed during this time.

4. Pick up the phone. Even in an office environment, we tend to lean toward emails or messaging platforms to communicate. Make an effort to pick up the phone to add some conversation to the day.

5. Send thoughts before or after a meeting. When you aren’t physically in the room for a meeting, it’s difficult to get your thoughts across during the discussion. If you can, send the meeting organizer some of your ideas ahead of time or let them know you have something to contribute. You can also send a follow-up note with additional thoughts. Just make sure you are contributing to the discussion.

6. Take quick breaks to move around. This is especially important if your work revolves around sitting at a computer. Since you aren’t walking to meeting rooms or running over to chat with co-workers, take a couple of quick breaks just to get up and move around.

7. Let them know when you’re away. Remember to set up your out-of-office messages when you are away from your desk. You can also block off time on your calendar when you are taking lunch, so your colleagues know you won’t be available at that time.

8. Schedule visits. It’s not always feasible, but make an effort to schedule regular visits to the office or to clients and customers. It’s a great chance to schedule in-person meetings and get some quality time with your team.

The main theme here? Communication is key. You might know what you’re working on, but sending regular updates and checking in frequently helps others know you’re accountable and getting the job done. And it keeps you up to date on what’s happening with the rest of your team or how you can help out.

Whether you work remotely full time or just here and there, find a routine and environment that keeps you on track.

Lara Plathe is a senior project manager and media relations professional with Strategic America, an integrated marketing firm in West Des Moines. She assists clients with strategic planning, event planning, media relations, content development, research, and social media strategy and development. She has worked remotely for several years — both in and out of the state.