Companies doubt the productivity of remote workers for they feel uncertain that they could be as reliable as they are in the office than in their homes. For them, tons of distractions can be found, which may affect one’s attention to his or her tasks.

As a virtual assistant, one must prove that the denoted matter should not be anticipated to all remote workers. Indeed, it is much easier working from home, not to mention the level of comfort you can attain is unsurmountable. Basically, it is about the mentality of the employee that determines whether he or she would keep his or her comfort a hindrance in sustaining professionalism.

There are many ways of keeping professionalism anywhere you may be, such as the following:

Setting boundaries. As a virtual assistant, one must set boundaries starting from time management. If you have a specific schedule to follow when working, you must not let personal appointments or matters affect it. 

If you work from 9 to 5, let it be blocked in your calendar for the day. Make sure not to set meals, hangouts, or even calls that are not related to your work. 

To make it much easier, isolate yourself in your home office or workspace during those times. If you have family around during your shift, you may kindly remind them not to call on you while working.

Making a home space a workplace replica. The environment affects how you perceive your situation. If you want to make yourself more motivated to do your tasks, regardless of your location, create an office space that would house all your work-related things.

If you could separate a room for your work alone where your office desk, internet, and telephone could be set up, it would be more effective. It may not be helpful if your bed is reachable whenever you work. This could disrupt the workplace ambience you are trying to achieve. 

This could be helpful, as well, if you often attend video conferences. With a background that shows your workspace instead of a home itself, you would appear more professional to people at the other end of the line.

Guaranteeing better prevention of late reporting and absence. You would be more trusted as a remote worker if you show that being at home is actually a perquisite to your employer in terms of your tardiness and attendance.

With your home office a few steps away, you would have no reason to clock in late. Furthermore, with more time to your loved ones, you would have no ground to be out of office frequently. You could attend to their needs easily as travelling to and from work would no longer be part of your schedule, adding time for your family.

Additionally, if you work at a different time zone, you would have more free time to take care of errands and attend other appointments without conflict to your work schedule.

Should there be an instance of travelling, as long as you have your necessary equipment, you could still work. This also implies that absence would not be an option, as long as you have the resources with you.

Giving more importance to communication. Given the fact you will be more dependent on messaging platforms as you work from home, you would value effective communication more. Keep in mind that communication is the foundation of remote job.

Without establishing seamless communication between you and your employer, you would not be able to attain the input you require for every task. This could result to your poor productivity, ending with your negatively impacted work performance.

To keep one’s professionalism, a virtual assistant should always be attentive to the updates of his or her employer through e-mails, messages, or even calls. Responsiveness is also an important factor. If you do not remain receptive, you will not be able to coordinate your activities well, resulting in poor output and work performance. 

Aiming big. No matter where you are, as a remote worker, your professionalism would remain intact if you do not let go of aspiring to be a better version of yourself. This would actually reflect on your work.

If you fix your mind into growing as you learn more about your job, you would be more motivated to provide better output. Also, you will be more engaged in every activity you carry out, either individually or in teams. 

Working from home is not equal to stagnancy. Even at home, you could be better. You could learn more skills and gain more achievements. As mentioned earlier, with the resources available, there is nothing you cannot accomplish at work.

The aforementioned ways of keeping professionalism regardless of being at home show that remote workers have the same potential as the ones situated in the office. With a established mindset to be a valuable contractor or employee, anyone could make big leaps.