It is becoming less and less uncommon for people to work from their homes, whether they work for a company that allows telecommuting or they have decided to branch out into the world of online entrepreneurship. And while being able to work from the comfort of your own house is a dream come true for many people, the fact is, it’s more difficult than you might think. From unexpected (sometimes constant) interruptions to a larger inclination to procrastinate because there is no one looking over your shoulder, being productive can become a challenge. In today’s post, you’ll find six ways to work from home more effectively.
- Have a Plan – If you’re working from home, it is easy to throw the plans of a structured day out the window and attempt to just go with the flow. Do a little work, watch a little T.V., do a little work, scroll through social media, etc. However, if your day goes anything like this, it is highly unlikely you will be getting much done. Make a plan for your day, similar to what it would be if you were going to the office and stick to it. Regardless of where you do it, this is your job and you should be performing at your best.
- Get Up & Get Dressed – It is much easier to give in to the temptation to be lazy when you’re in your pajamas than if you were to get up and get dressed the same way you would if you were going to head to the workplace outside of the home. You can enjoy the ability to be more comfortable at home without making yourself too comfortable. Otherwise, you may find yourself heading back to bed!
- Set Regular Work Hours – Having a set time that you have committed to doing your work every day will not only help you keep yourself on track, it can also help establish boundaries with your family and friends. If everyone knows that between the hours of 7 am and 3 pm you are not to be disturbed so you can focus on your job, they won’t be quite as likely to interrupt you while you are trying to concentrate.
- Expect Interruptions – On the other hand, you will need to be prepared for more interruptions throughout the day than you would if you had gotten up and left for work. Friends and family members do not always understand the time and space one needs to get their tasks done when working from home. Be prepared to set some rules about interrupting you during your working hours.
- Choose a Dedicated Work Space – If possible, create a dedicated area where you will be able to focus on your job. This can be an office in a spare bedroom of your home or a desk in your bedroom. Wherever it is, make this your exclusive area where you can focus only on work-related activities.
- Take Regular Breaks – Working from home can become a health hazard if you don’t take the time to get up and moving during the day. Be sure to take regular breaks, even 10 minutes per hour, to get up from your desk to stretch and walk around. Not only is it good for your physical health, it will help clear your mind.
Working from home has an entire set of unique challenges, but for many people, it is a dream come true. Increase your likelihood of success by following the suggestions above and enjoy the lifestyle afforded to those who are able to earn their living from home.
