Working from home is becoming more and more common, but switching from a professional office environment to the comfort of your own home can be difficult. Learning how to work from home is vital if you want to be as efficient and effective as you were at your office. In this article, we want to share a few basic works from home tips.
Set your working hours
The first basic and important thing you should do is create a regular work schedule. We understand that it’s very tempting to give yourself complete freedom when to start work and when to take breaks. However, setting regular working hours keeps you accountable to yourself and your boss as well. It will help you to get all your work done on time. Discipline is key!
Following are some important points to consider while setting an at-home work schedule for yourself:
- When your manager wants you to be available
- Ask your coworkers and customers about their preferences
- Time of day when you feel you’re the most active
That doesn’t mean you only work a 9-5 day. You work when you feel you’re the most productive, but you let others know.
- Compartmentalized Working hours and Personal Time
It is also important to give yourself time for your personal life. Don’t make your workday so long that your personal life may suffer. The best way to do this is to compartmentalize your work life and personal life. This will not only keep you productive but will also reduce your stress levels. Convey clearly when you will not be available for work.
- Planning Your Work-flow
Another surefire way to keep productivity up is to be smart about planning your work-flow. Set your priorities before you start working.
What work do you have to do first and how long it will take? And what work you will do when having extra time? The best practice is to plan your next day before going to the bed at night. This will help you to sleep without stressing about tomorrow.
While planning your next day consider the following:
- Do the urgent and important work first. Question work that is urgent but not important.
- Do the toughest job when you will be the most energetic and productive.
- Also, plan for breaks from work.
- Dress Like You’re at the office
Even if you are not interacting with your coworkers and boss, it’s still important that you dress well during working hours. This sets the tone for the day and helps you get down to business. Go through your normal morning routine as if preparing for a day of work in the office. All this will signal your brain that it’s work time and your energy will rise
- Create an At-Home Office
When you’re working from home, sometimes it’s tempting to fire up the laptop and jump on the couch. Not only is this bad for your posture but it doesn’t give you’re the right mindset. For me, one of the best practices was using a professional workspace like Tractionspace for a couple of days each week. Studies have shown that such professional work-spaces have increased employee productivity with their professional services including remote work mentors, meeting management, and on-site amenities. And you get to see other people; a huge benefit!
Try the work from home tips adjust to what works for you.
