Working at home is great if you’re able to follow some practical guidelines. It’s easy to get distracted and sometimes difficult to stick with your work plan. It’s an adjustment for most, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Just do your best and you’ll find what works for you. Some basic tips are below.
Set up a functional workspace with comfortable furniture. It doesn’t have to be an entire room if you can’t dedicate that much space. Just specify an area, a corner in a bedroom for example. You will be spending hours in this space every day, so make it pleasant and peaceful and pick a quiet part of the house. Only use your office space during the workday. It’s easy to make exceptions and work in the living room, but that can become a hard habit to break.
Stay on a regular schedule. Without a set schedule, you might find yourself working longer hours than you should. Once your workday is over, close the door and do not go back to the desk. It’s easy to do, but don’t let your work time bleed into your home/family time. Also, be sure that you begin work at the correct time every day.
Use a planner, electronic or paper. It’s easy to miss conference calls, teleconferences without reminders. Be sure everything is entered into a calendar and refer to it throughout the day. To-do lists are also very helpful reminders.
Stay alert. Getting up periodically to move around is important to one’s ability to concentrate and be creative. If possible, leave the house during lunch. A change of scenery and a short walk can refresh and recharge you. Take short breaks during the workday as well.
Dress for work as if you are going to the office. It’s tempting to work in your pajamas, but getting dressed and ready for the day will help you transition into the workday. It’s also true that if you are dressed for work, you are more productive.
Avoid communication with friends and family during the workday. People often think that if you work at home, you somehow have more time in the day and feel that it is alright to call or text. Let them know the hours you have set and when you’ll be able to take their calls or answer texts.
Do not get sucked into social media apps during work time. It’s easy to lose track of time while on social media. You can easily waste an hour before you know it. Do not give yourself the chance for this to happen.
Verify the quality of your technology. Be sure that your computer has all the capabilities you will need and that your internet speed is sufficient. If you need a printer, ensure that it’s set up correctly and keep extra ink cartridges and paper on-hand.
Sources: www.nextiva.com, www.inc.org, www.npr.com