
Job Duck is looking for ambitious individuals who are productive and efficient. We are placing our candidates with clients who strive toward achieving great success.
Therefore, we want to help you find a full-time career growth opportunity to complement your skills and expectations.
But sometimes you could come across barriers that might drag you down. We’re here to tell you not to give up, as there is always hope. Read this article to learn how to Free Yourself from these Productivity Barriers:
Lack of a Designated Workspace
A lack of a designated workspace refers to a situation where a remote worker does not have a specific area designated for work-related activities.
The Productivity Barriers
When you don’t have a designated workspace, you may find it difficult to focus on your work. You may get distracted by friends, family members, or roommates. These distractions could make it difficult to concentrate and be productive.
Furthermore, if, for instance, you decide to work on a couch in the living room, you might experience physical discomfort, a lack of organization, and difficulty separating work and personal life.

A designated workspace can help reduce distractions, improve focus and productivity, and promote a better organization of work materials.
How to Overcome the Barriers
To set up your designated workspace, it’s important to find a quiet, well-lit, distraction-free area in your home, such as a spare room.
Once you find the ideal space, focus on setting up a suitable desk and chair, and proper lighting. Use your designated workspace only for work-related matters, and avoid using it for personal activities.
At Job Duck, we get two 15-minute breaks and a one-hour lunch break every day, so, remember to take breaks to stretch, move, and recharge. Set up boundaries with family members or roommates and keep your workspace clean and tidy to reduce distractions and improve focus.
Neglecting Self-Care
Are you taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health while working remotely? If you get easily caught up in work and neglect your own needs, it could lead to burnout, stress, and decreased productivity.
Self-Care Barriers:
- Working long hours without taking breaks or time off
- Not prioritizing physical health
- Ignoring mental and emotional health needs
- Not taking time for hobbies or other activities outside of work
- Isolating yourself and not maintaining social connections
As a virtual assistant, it’s essential to prioritize self-care and make time for activities that promote your health and well-being.

How to Apply Self-Care Effectively
If you want to practice self-care effectively, it’s best to engage in regular exercises such as yoga or deep breathing exercises while eating a balanced and healthy diet and getting enough sleep.
Furthermore, it’s crucial to treat yourself with kindness and compassion and avoid negative self-talk or self-criticism. Be sure to make time for your hobbies, and reach out to friends and family when you need support.
Lastly, allow yourself time to rest and take breaks when needed, and don’t overwork yourself. All of these factors will positively enhance your productivity.
Failing to Communicate Effectively
Are you struggling to convey information clearly and accurately to clients, or colleagues? Effective communication is essential in a remote work environment, as it helps to build trust, clarify expectations, and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Causes of Failed Communication:
- Misunderstandings
- Not applying active listening
- Stressful situations
- Inappropriate language or tone
Misunderstandings or confusion could easily occur when you’re not clear in your communication. This could happen due to not actively listening to others’ concerns or needs.
You may find yourself in stressful situations where you forget to share important information or updates with clients or colleagues. Unfortunately, this could lead to delays or errors in project completion.

As a virtual assistant, clear and consistent communication with clients or employers is vital to meet expectations and delivering high-quality work.
Lastly, you could damage relationships with clients or colleagues when you use inappropriate language or tone in your communication.
How to Communicate Effectively
To communicate effectively as a virtual assistant, it’s best to maintain professionalism by setting clear expectations with clients and colleagues about communication preferences and response times.
Practice active listening to better understand any needs or concerns. Respond by communicating in a clear, succinct manner and sharing pertinent information and updates in a timely, open manner.
Build trusting relationships with clients and colleagues, and continually work on your communication, writing, and listening abilities to increase productivity and efficiency.
Conclusion
By using these suggestions, you might boost productivity and efficiency and ultimately succeed as a virtual assistant. We’re confident that now that you are aware of some of the most typical productivity obstacles a virtual assistant could encounter, you feel ready to apply for one of our career openings.
Click HERE to apply now!
We wish you the best of luck,
The Job Duck Team