Remote working is becoming more popular and accepted than ever before. In the U.S., the Bureau of Labour Statistics reports show that in 2015 more than 23% of the American working population was working remotely, compared to 19% in 2003. Software service provider PGIA also conducted a global survey in which 60% of people who work remotely said they would gladly leave their current job for a full-time remote position if they could. So, if you're a remote developer, you're not really on the wrong track. But hey, how do you work from home? How do you make sure you don't leave your bedroom even though you do your job effectively? While it’s good to break the ice and come out with your own “new” ways to work successfully from home, it’s not always good to waste time rearranging the wheel. A more productive way to use your time is to study, and find out what the most successful executives in your industry usually do. Although their job descriptions may be different, all successful remote workers have some common habits - habits that keep them from the pack and make them more successful than other domestic workers. And our goal here at X-Team is to help remote developers develop and achieve their goals, so i'll share these habits with you. So, overall, the question is: What habits are common among the most successful remote workers? 

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Let's go with the following:

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1. Highly productive employees try something difficult first

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Some project managers call it a “frog account”. But, it’s time to retire that unpleasant line with these others. Here's a little less graphic description: As soon as they get to work (yes, it's okay to get a cup of coffee first), high-end employees pick something from their to-do list, which most people might be scared of and give up on. This could be a meeting scheduled with the manager, an email is sent to the seller, a difficult stakeholder is called and... You get the idea. It is not easy, but the important thing is moving beyond the negative feeling (anxiety, fear, confidence) that we get before the difficult task towards the positive feeling (confidence, sense of accomplishment, optimism) that we earn later. Very productive employees use that boost to push them forward for the rest of the day.

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2. Limit your distractions

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Working from home can bring a unique set of distractions. The dogs start barking when the mail-man visits. Babies start screaming when it is naptime. The lack of separation between work and home makes certain circumstances difficult to control. However, when you are in a meeting you should pay attention to your own concentration, and to your colleagues. My manager and I speak through GoToMeeting every day. These meetings help us update each other on specific projects, review work in real-time, and discuss new opportunities. We spend most of our days working independently - so these daily meetings are crucial to collaboration, and any distractions, that hinder productivity. Working together as a team, try to work in a specific space with doors that limit loud noises. If the noise is out of your control, take the initiative to silence yourself as if you are at a conference. Keep pets, partners, children, etc. Out of your workplace. Your dog is mostly adorable; don't peel her during a demo

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3. Owned your list

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One of the great things about remote work is that you have the freedom to create your own schedule. Are you a night owl that does more after sunset? Does a lunchtime workout help you focus every afternoon? Remote work is more self-directed - which means you have the autonomy to create your own workday. High-performance teams don’t work 9-5. However, there is still a responsibility to stay in touch with your team. They need to have confidence that you are working on the right projects and are not distracted all day. Before you depart for that 12:30 spin class, have an honest conversation with your boss. Put your main goals on the table for achievement. Then, design a schedule that allows you to contribute in a way that works best for you and keeps you on track to achieve these tasks. This gives you a sense of ownership and keeps your colleagues informed.

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4. Create remote performance management routines

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With limited physical communication, maintaining uniform performance and development management outside of performance fees can be a challenge. Good performance management is important for maintaining fee-based expectations and deliveries when your employees work remotely. But performance management should always be tailored to the individual. According to research by Ian Marek, there is a balanced divide between the average number of employees who prefer quarterly, monthly, and weekly feedback. It is also important to consider how you provide feedback. Whether it's written - such as email and instant messaging - or video calling gender, these potential trivia can have a significant impact on employees and business outcomes.

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5. They think and act like managers

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Think like a manager: Successful remote workers understand that working remotely requires working at home, without the supervision of any manager. They also understand that in order to do their job well successfully, they need to not only be their own immediate supervisor but really think and act like managers, not employees. And if you want to succeed, you need to do the same. How do managers think and act? First, they take charge of their work. They whip and ride on the crowds to meet their goals and get results. They learn to consolidate resources to achieve their objectives. Equally, administrators take care of the administrative part. Say, for example, once you become a remote developer, you should not only stop working per developer but also be able to manage other aspects of your daily business activities. What’s more, you should be able to manage workflows and contribute meaningfully to business processes when they arrive. Wait for employees to tell you what to do. Managers think strategically about what needs to be done and then they take action.