How to Work Remotely

I wrote this article in March 2020 when the United States and the world kept everyone home in an attempt to “flatten the curve”. Teleworking is challenging but can also be very productive. I started teleworking about one year before the COVID-19 Pandemic forced us all to stay home for a while. In ‘How to Work Remotely’, I share tools and tips that helped me transition from the cubicle and to my home office in 2019.

Listen here

Key Tips

Objectives
- Start each day like you’re going into an office
  - Exercise, shower, get dressed, etc.
- Setup office space somewhere you can focus
  - Try not to work in your bedroom or living room
  - If you cannot have separate space, wear headphones or play elevator music
- Set break times every 50 minutes
  - Work 50, break 10 when possible
    - Get up, take a walk, stretch
Organization
- Know your company’s organization structure
  - Know who is in the office
  - Who is hybrid (office/remote)?
  - Who is fully remote?
Resources
- Computer or laptop with docking station
- Wireless keyboard and mouse
- Video camera
  - Built into laptop or USB
- Extra monitors
- Cell phone
  - Set auto-forward desk phone to your cell
- Solid internet connection
  - Backup cell hotspot
- Virtual Private Network (VPN) access to work files
  - Make some local copies as backup
- Charging cords for all devices
Communication
- Forwarded phone
- Teleconferencing software
- Document management tools
- Setup regular check in calls

Content and the concept from this episode and write up are featured in an EMS1 article called Quick take: 4 steps to working from home success for ambulance service support staff. Read the full article at https://www.ems1.com/ems-products/computer-aided-dispatch-cad/articles/quick-take-4-steps-to-working-from-home-success-for-ambulance-service-support-staff-zbsSd8q5mznE7VG4/.

**Note PSA based on CDC guidelines at 11:27**

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Kevin Pannell, PMP | Founder of KPannell Productions, LLC | Creator & Host of the KEV Talks Podcast | Principal on the @Pannell5Fit and KEV Talks YouTube Channels