Image Source: FreeImages
At home, at home, why you gotta be so cruel? Working from home sounds like the dream gig for any remote worker, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Since you don’t have a commute or co-workers to keep you company, staying focused and productive from home can be difficult. Working from home doesn’t just save you time on commuting; it also gives you more scheduling flexibility and helps you cut costs on gas, parking, and other expenses related to your primary work location. Working from home is a challenge in itself that requires the right type of environment, setup, and motivation. Here are some tips to help you work efficiently and productively without going crazy in your own house.
Make working from home a habit
If you’re used to working in an office, you’ll have a pretty clear routine. You’ll know when you’re most productive, and you’ll have developed a system for getting tasks done. For those who work from home and don’t have such a routine, it’s easy to fall into a trap of just doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done. That means you might be taking phone calls when you’re tired because you don’t have a conference room to escape to, or you might be answering emails when you’re tired because you don’t have a system to know when your time is really done.
Don’t stay in your PJs all day
Working in your PJs all day might sound like a great idea, but it can get you in the wrong frame of mind. If you’re not careful, you could find yourself getting less focused as the day goes on and more likely to just give up and call it a day. When you’re dressed for the day, you’re more likely to stay on track. You’re also more likely to stay productive. If you work with other people, you might even want to consider wearing something like a suit or a nice blouse to keep yourself more in the work mindset. If you work by yourself, you might want to at least keep a change of clothes at the ready in case you need to do an in-person meeting.
Stay well-lit and ventilated
Depending on where you choose to work, you might not have much control over the light in your office. However, you can control the amount of fresh air in your office. You might not have anyone to talk to, but you’re still around people. You have pets, there are neighbors, and fresh air and light are important to staying focused. Depending on where you live, you might want to keep your blinds drawn to block out the sun and keep your place cooler. You can also look into air purifiers or even something like an ionizer to help keep the air in your office clear and clean.
Set up a workspace that works for you
If you can, try to work from a separate room rather than your living room couch or bed. This will allow you to keep your work and personal lives separate and help minimize distractions. If you have the space, consider setting up a dedicated office where you can keep all of your work supplies and files in one place. If you can’t set up a dedicated office, try to keep your work and home lives separate by setting up a makeshift office in a corner of a room.
Keep a stash of snacks at the ready
Working remotely can also mean that you don’t have anyone to talk to or anyone to talk over lunch with. This can make it easy to get distracted and lose focus. You can combat this by keeping a stash of both healthy and unhealthy snacks available at all times. This way, you can easily satisfy cravings without distracting yourself and others online.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself
Working from home gives you more control over when and how you work. This is great, but it can also lead to overworking yourself if you’re not careful. Working from home doesn’t mean that you can work all hours of the day. Make sure you’re taking time out to rest, exercise, and eat well. You’re just as important as any other part of your business.