Focus Question: What does Keeping it simple mean for you?
 
Description
Simplification in the remote workspace is critical. When contexts vary across a team, time zones are different and cross-cultural elements get in the mix of everyday work, simplification and keeping things simple is essential for high performance and flow.

The notion of “keeping things simple” can flow across a business at all levels –
 
From program design, to customer messaging.
From keeping what you offer simple, to how you communicate and reinforce it. Simplification also relates to workflows and processes.
 
Simplification may also involve creating visuals around a topic to consolidate a lot of ideas into one graphic.
 
In the remote space the more complex a process, the more likely it is to break down. In the remote space, the more complex things are, the more likely there is going to be misunderstandings. These can lead to work breakdowns, lack of alignment, conflict, and many other things.
 
What’s important about keeping things simple in your work?

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Consider what keep it simple can mean in these different areas of your work:

For more on this topic check out: Effective Virtual Conversations 

Wishing you the best,
​Jennifer

Description
This week’s blog post brings us to getting organized. What are the things you want to put in place in order to get moving in the way you want?
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As a remote worker there may be need for getting organized and using systems in several areas. Consider:

• Communication
• Files and information
• Financials
• Client files
• Marketing systems

Make a list of the different systems you want to make. Getting organized can involve more than having good systems. It might entail things like:

• Having a way to file information
• Having a place for everything – consider the things you are going to need to use on a regular basis. What are the things you will want to reach regularly?
• A way to keep different projects and pieces of work separate
• A way to access things offline and online

What’s going to help you get organized? Many professionals indicate that organizing approaches can be contingent on your style. So, if you have a preference for visual learning, it may be useful to have open cupboards (or be able to open a door and take a look at what you have). For those that are minimalists, a place to put things away and close off on business may be a preference.
What do you know about your own preferences for how you like to work and see things?

Need to Know

• Systems help with consistency which is important when we are part of a team. Systems can help to streamline and standardize communication and customer service, so everyone gets a similar approach whether they contact us in Toronto, or LA, or New York, or Sao Paolo.
• Systems help us automate. We use less brain power when things are systematized.
• Systems help us scale. If you need to send out the same information to all stakeholders, is there a better way you can automate that message? What systems are going to help with core activities like – communication, reporting etc.?

AS you think about your work right now, what systems will help you as a business?

To explore this topic further check out:
Section 3 of PlanDoTrack and the early part of this section around systems.
If you are a coach, check out this recent Coaching Business Builder blog posts on systems.
Check out this post from FlexJobs on how to organize your day when working from home -  https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/how-to-structure-your-day-when-working-from-home/.

If you are a professional who works remotely, check out these blog posts related to Systems. Whether you are a leader, remotepreneur, or team member, you'll find them applicable.

Enjoy!
​Jennifer

​Check out the most recent Remote Pathways Podcast Episodes which covers the topic of Vision and Creating SMART-E Goals. You can listen to Episode 4 here (vision), as well as Episode 5 - SMART-E Goals or on your favorite podcast player.