Your social plans for the next two months may be canceled, but having to adapt to working remotely is not. Now, more than ever, mastering a proper workflow and putting together an action plan for success should be at the top of everyone’s to-do list. Working from home comes with its own set of challenges (and a whole lot of distractions) so we at TravelPulse Canada reached out to Independent by Flight Centre’s Director of Acquisitions & Social Media, Heather Baker, for some tips and tricks she uses to help keep herself and her team motivated, and primed for success while working remotely.

“Lots of people equate working from home with “living the dream” but the reality is it takes a lot of focus, dedication and can definitely be harder for some than others. For a lot of people currently in this situation, it wasn’t a voluntary choice so some will find this challenging”, shared Baker. " There definitely are challenges when you make the transition, but take a few minutes to remind yourself of the benefits as well: savings on gas/parking/public transit, reduced car insurance, savings on meals as you aren’t grabbing lunch on the go as much, plus you can’t argue that there is just no beating that commute, which means more time with your family.”

Mastering a proper workflow and creating an action plan for success requires structure. One of the biggest challenges while working from home is that you are going to be surrounded by distraction. That is why it is important to establish boundaries for yourself.

“Having a proper workflow is essential. When you first start working from home it can be easy to either get too distracted by things around your home or end up working much longer than you normally would in an office because the boundaries between work life and home life can be easily blurred. Having a workflow can help you find a balance between the two”, explained Baker. “In speaking with our own Independent Contractors, a common theme is to plan your day. Some of the things they find helpful are:

- Use a calendar - whether it is an online one or the old school version so you can prioritize your daily “to-do” list. Keep up your routines - Get up at the same time each day, get showered, dressed and have breakfast before your “workday” starts.

- Maintain a schedule - Have set “office” hours. It is important to set those boundaries. It helps you focus when you need to be and gives you permission to remove yourself from the “office” mindset when your workday is done.”

For some, adapting to a new lifestyle of working from home can take some time. Working around distractions and creating a functional space that aids in your success may need to happen.

“If space and circumstance permit, set up a dedicated “office” space. Have your laptop, work phone, notepad, pens, etc. - all your work essentials set up there. This can help you focus on your tasks at hand, but also when it is time to take a break you can physically remove yourself from that “office” setting to ensure you maintain that separation between home and work and give you the physical/mental break that is so important,” shared Baker. “To this end ensure you take a proper lunch away from your desk and if possible, get outside for a bit, a nice walk after lunch before getting back to the tasks at hand does wonders for your focus and productivity. Also, invest in a good headset, one that allows you to answer calls with suppliers/clients while allowing you to have your hands free to you can type/write, etc. Listen to a radio station you love - the TV can be a distraction whether it is the latest Netflix craze or the news, it is too easy to have your attention shift."

For others, finding and staying motivated will be your crux when it comes to working remotely. Even with a brilliant list of tasks, a strict structure and a fabulous workspace, finding inspiration and staying motivated will be your biggest challenge.

“Everyone goes through periods where they feel uninspired or stuck. The key is to acknowledge this and plan for it. There are several ways we encourage our Independent agents to work through these hurdles:

- Maintaining a strong professional social network - Currently, we are all doing our part to practice physical distancing, but that doesn’t mean we need to socially isolate. At Independent by Flight Centre, we have a vibrant and connected group of agents. Our Workplace platform allows them to stay in contact with each other, ask each other questions, seek out advice and share experiences and opinions. Make the effort to schedule time on a regular basis where you can catch up with each other on a professional and personal level, whether it’s a virtual coffee meeting or perhaps a Friday “happy hour” chat.

- Learning something new - At Independent by Flight Centre, we have curated a list of supplier training opportunities with wholesalers, tourist boards and many more in addition to creating internal online classes to allow our agents to grow their product, destination, and entrepreneurial skills. This is an opportune time to do a business review and change anything you haven’t been 100% happy with.

- Focus on the positives - We love the creative ways our Independents are finding to stay connected like have a weekly bring your kid to work day and let them attend a zoom meeting with you or create a Spotify travel playlist you can share with clients or colleagues."

Transitioning into a remote work life may not be everyone's preference but it’s imperative to adapt during self-isolation if you want to set yourself up for success. For others, they can thrive with a change of environment, a little more freedom and flexible work hours, and may want to explore continuing this new career lifestyle even after self-isolation is over. If you are the latter of those two people, be sure to check out Independent by Flight Centre by visiting https://www.flightcentreindependent.ca/join-the-family/ to learn the benefits of joining their host agency.