For those of you escaping the cubicle, there are some tips to work from home. Working from home can be a blessing, but it can also be difficult to remain focused and work efficiently. Not only do you have to motivate yourself; you may also be affected by noise from family members or neighbors, making getting the job done a challenge. Check out these tips to work from home, before you wish you're back in your cubicle.
One of the perks of working from home is that you can create your own schedule. However, a pitfall can be that you end up working all the time or that you don’t get any work done. If you're experiencing any of these two, this is one of the best tips to work from home. Creating a daily schedule that works for you is important to build routine and to set aside time for work and pleasure.
Working from your couch might seem luring, but it won’t work in the long run. If you create a workspace, you’ll notice you get more work done and it's easier to stay focused. Do you have a spare room? Transform it into your office. A desk in the master bedroom could work as well. A dedicated workspace does wonders, because you’ll always have a spot where you can work in peace.
There are no colleagues who ask you to go out for lunch. You may even lose track of time because you’re so caught up in your work. But take breaks! Leave your desk to have lunch every day and feel free to schedule several short breaks in the afternoon. Taking breaks doesn’t mean you’re slacking. It means you’re keeping your mind fresh to concentrate better.
When people think of working from home, they often think about working in their PJs. Inevitably, there will be days you’ll work in your PJs (perhaps when you have the flu), but try to get dressed every morning. The idea behind it is to pretend that you’re getting dressed to go to an actual office. You may ditch those high heels and pencil skirt, but a nice pair of jeans and a cute top will make you feel better and more productive.
Avoiding distractions when you work from home can be challenging. Family and friends may not take your work seriously. After all, they think you're in your PJs every day! Tell them you’re working between certain hours and that you won’t answer calls and text messages. Also tell them you are not able to receive visitors, so they know not to show up at your doorstep.
If you’re a busy woman working from home, you might have found yourself not leaving the house for a whole day. Do make an effort to go out. Pick up groceries, go to the gym or go for a short walk. You could even schedule an afternoon at a coffee shop and work from there, if that works for you. It's important to go outside and smell the fresh air every day.
While I just advised you to avoid distractions from others, you do have the privilege to enjoy your flexibility. If you’re an early bird, you may start working at 7 a.m., giving you time to go for a workout after lunch, before getting back to work until 5 p.m. If you have difficulties working in the morning, you may start at noon and do extra work after dinner. You can benefit from the flexibility that comes with working from home, as long as you set boundaries for yourself and others.
These tips should help you to work from home more efficiently. It usually takes a while to get started when you decide to work from home. Not only do you have to figure out what works for you, but people around you are getting used to it as well. After all, you’re home, but you’re not available. Do you have more tips to work from home?