We can all agree that working from home comes with many benefits – flexible schedule, cozy clothing, zero commutes, saving money, etc. But wherever there are pros there are also cons. So, even though working from home seems like a great idea now, if you are not well organized, it will soon turn into the most complex, stressful, and challenging thing you have ever done. It will be a huge adjustment. However, there is nothing to fear. You just have to prepare yourself for everything that comes with working from home. We are also here to help you out with that. Thus, if you want to know how to make working from home work, keep on reading.
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Stick to Your Schedule
When working from home, it is easy to get distracted. Well, nobody can blame you, after all, who wants to work while their favorite TV show is on. Wrong! If you keep postponing your workload, you will not get anything done. So, no matter how tempting all the flexibility might be, do not let it take over. Luckily, there are many productivity hacks that can help you stay focused and organized.
Start with creating a working schedule. You do not have to be too strict with yourself. That is, you do not have to create a 9-5 working schedule. The point (and the biggest benefit) of working from home is adjusting the schedule to your needs. So, instead of the usual schedule, create one that revolves around the hours when you are the most productive! Or, create one that revolves around the hours when your boss needs you to be available or when you need to communicate with your colleagues.
Separate Work and Personal Time
Keep in mind that working from home can also be very overwhelming. With all the freedom of postponing your work and allowing yourself to finish something ‘later’, you may easily (and unconsciously) prolong the working hours and start burning yourself out. Thus, as previously mentioned, create a schedule and stick to it as much as you can. And, most importantly, do not work when you do not have to. Separate work your work time and your personal time from one another and you will be more productive in your home office as well as in the other aspects of your life.
This will help you stay productive while you are working and will definitely reduce stress when you are not. In other, simpler words, you need to separate work and personal time. Do not mix them. This will distract you, make you lazy, and make you late.
Create a Specialized Office Space
Whether you are transferring your Florida-based business to some other state, city, or to your home-based office, you need to bring your equipment and supplies with you. That can be either the entire office or just one computer, favorite pen, and that frame with a motivational quote. When you transfer all of that to your home, it will be easy to completely forget about them and simply work from your most comfortable couch. But, do you know where that will get you? It will get you to fall asleep.
So, save yourself from those unplanned naps and missed schedules by creating a specialized place in your home that will be used only as your office space and nothing more. Train your brain to look at that space as a working area and you will be a lot more productive. Well, you will be more productive than working from a couch which your brain associates with sleep. And, the best part is – if you create a proper office inside your home, be sure that is a type of renovation that will definitely boost the value of your home.
Get Ready and Dress for the Job
Similarly, working from home can spoil you – sleeping late, working when needed (if even then), wearing cozy clothes, etc. But, as previously mentioned, all of these will get you nowhere. At the end of the week, you will find yourself with so many unfinished projects, missed deadlines, missed calls and who knows what else. All of that will drive you bonkers and you will wish you can go back to the office.
However, just like all other problems, this too can be easily fixed. Just get up each morning prepared to do all the things you would normally do – eat your breakfast quickly, drink coffee, take a shower, put your makeup and perfume on, and most importantly, get dressed appropriately. No, we are not saying that you should wear the uncomfortable and tight-fitting clothes you usually wear to work. Wear something comfortable, but still, work-appropriate. Yes, this means no pajamas and messy buns!
Keep to ‘No Roomies’ Rule
Last but certainly not the least rule to impose and follow when trying to make working from home work, is the ‘No Rommies’ rule. In this case, the term ‘roomies’ applies to your spouse, children, parents, pets, or any other roommates you live with. Setting this boundary will be hard not only for you but for the people around you as well. Children and pets might be the ones struggling the most as they will not understand the idea behind working from home. Nevertheless, you must try, if you want to be productive and finish everything on time.
Try by, first, putting a sign on the door. Simply write something on a piece of paper and put it onto your door. or instance – Keep out, Still Working, Do Not Come In, etc. Yes, all of this may seem like you are being too harsh, but you and the people around you must know boundaries. That is the key to having a successful and focused working day.
