It is no secret that jobs can be overwhelming at times. If you’re like most people, then your job is a source of stress. It may be small, or it may be large, but there's no denying it's there. Whether you're stressing about helping your kids conquer the current subject in school or getting that PowerPoint done on time for the big meeting, stress is a constant. However, a portion of jobs exist that negate a lot of factors most face every day.
Online jobs vary in a slightly different manner. Web-based jobs often don’t require much physical interaction with others. After all, if you work strictly online, you’re probably spending a lot of your time by yourself in your home office and working independently. For some, this sounds too good to be true. However, just because you work solo and without interaction with typical co-workers, that doesn't mean stress magically disappears. The pressure is there in both familiar and unfamiliar forms.
So, how do you cope with a web-based job? How does it differ from the typical job and what can you do when the stresses of an online job begin to get to you? Take a look at the following tips to get you started:
1. Stay Motivated
Motivation. It’s tough to come by and even tougher to keep. For example, have you ever been excited to start working on a project, such as remodeling your kitchen? You know it needs some work and you put it off for a while. Finally, you build up the motivation to get things going and start working on your new kitchen. Six months later, your kitchen is only one-quarter of the way finished. What happened?
Your motivation disappeared, which is common — whether it’s a kitchen remodel or your job. At your typical workplace, you interact with co-workers at some level, and your boss is probably a fantastic motivator for you. You want to prove you know what you’re doing and don’t want to let them down or your colleagues. But, when you work a web-based job, that motivation is even more difficult to find.
You may be your own boss or you may still report to a boss via online channels. Either way, getting yourself to work hard every day can be tough since you aren’t required to be in a physical location each day. How can you stay motivated? Try a few things like making a schedule, rewarding yourself when you complete a project, etc. If you can manage to stay motivated and focus on work, it makes your job so much easier.
To keep stress away, stay motivated and keep working hard.
2. Have Access to a Stable Internet Connection
You know the feeling. You work for hours on a project at home, only to have the Internet cut out. You didn’t save in the last 15 minutes, so all that hard work is out the door and needs to be redone. While it's impossible to stop incidents such as these entirely, you can choose and focus on technology companies that bear an excellent and trustworthy reputation.
When you have access to something like a stable Internet connection, you don’t worry about your equipment. Instead, you focus your efforts on your work. Doing so will vastly reduce the stress you feel when you begin working in your web-based job.
In conjunction with this, make sure you own a computer you can rely on as well.
3. Try to Have Important Conversations Face-to-Face
Face-to-face conversations may not be an option for every job that is web-based, but it is something to consider if you can do it. Decoding the tone of a text message or email is difficult to do and if you must have a significant conversation regarding your job, you don't want to go through that discussion in a text.
If you find you can’t meet with someone in person, the next best alternative is to have a video conference with them. Using applications such as Skype, you can see the person, and it’s much easier to talk about important concepts rather than increasing the risk of any misunderstanding.
This face-to-face interaction erases all ambiguity. You don’t need to make any assumptions about what the email or text means and clear communication will lower your stress levels.
4. Maintain Physical Activity
If you’re on the computer all day, then you’re probably sitting at your desk — and you’re doing some terrible things to your body. To maintain a healthy lifestyle and to keep from mental fatigue, it’s best to get up and get moving.
While this piece of advice works for both web-based jobs and the typical job, the significant difference is location. The web-based job means you're not in an office and that means your physical activity breaks can occur anywhere. For example, you can drive to the park for an hour if you so desire.
Getting out and active can help you feel more positive both during the activity and after. It reduces your stress levels and you may need this when your web-based job gets the best of you.
5. Unplug
Unplugging is crucial to your success in your web-based job. For your typical worker, they too may spend some time on the computer, however they are also able to socialize with co-workers and get away periodically. The online worker relies heavily on their computer, day in and day out.
When nearly your entire job revolves around using the Internet and computer programs, it’s of immense importance that you step away from the computer once in a while. It’s not a bad idea to watch a bit less television than usual, either. Try reading or doing something else that doesn’t involve a screen. This helps keep your stress levels down because it helps you to totally disconnect from technology for a short time.
6. Learn to Check Email and Other Programs Sparsely
How many times do you check your email per day? If you check your email "throughout the day," then you're not alone. Nearly 34% of people in a poll said they checked their email regularly throughout the day — and most of those workers are your typical, 9 to 5 types. Now, just think of all the temptation you have when your entire job revolves the computer.
A web-based job requires you to be near your email and other computer services. The key to lowering stress? Limit the number of times you check your email. It does wonders for your mental health and will reduce the burden of the seemingly never-ending stream that fills your inbox.
Keeping It All in Check
Web-based jobs are fantastic, but they also offer a variety of stressors you may not be familiar with. If you find yourself stressing, try out one of these tips. Relax and watch as your stress begins to melt away!
