Tips for Working from Home
With the rise of the internet it is becoming easier and easier to work remotely from home. Being at home rather than in an office has its benefits, but it also has its drawbacks. It’s important to set yourself clear rules and boundaries when working from home, or else risk being pulled into a pit of procrastination.
Here’s some tips on how best to manage working from home.
Get dressed- it can be tempting to stay in your comfy pyjamas all day, especially if you’re not going outside. You need to stay away from this temptation. Getting changed into day wear will help you get into a working mindset and make you more productive.
Don’t work in bed- Similar to the above tip, it’s all about having a working mindset. Your brain automatically thinks of your bed as a place of relaxation and sleep. If you work in there you are much less likely to be able to concentrate and properly get down to work.
Have a designated work space- This will benefit you on a mental level, as it will help your brain associate that space with working, and a practical level by keeping all your work things together.
Set specific times to work- This will help you to better plan out your day and give you a goal to work towards. Try not to work outside of those times either, as a clear distinction between work and relaxation hours will benefit your mental health.
Keep away from distractions- Distractions can be anything from mobile phones to well-meaning family members. Try and put things like books and mobile phones in another room to stop the temptation, and let family members know when your working hours are to keep interruptions to a minimum.
Invest in a some office equipment- If you work remotely it means that you’ll probably be working at a desk all day. By investing in things like a good desk chair or a second screen it will benefit both your health and productivity.
Give yourself regular breaks- Without designated break times you’re likely to either burn out from doing too much, or procrastinate and end up doing too little. Give yourself regular breaks no longer than half an hour at the same times each day to keep your brain in work mode.
Remember to go outside- If your home is where you live and work, you might find yourself stuck inside all day with little excuse to venture out. It’s important to try and make time to go outside so you don’t end up becoming a hermit.
Connect with other people- Working from home can be a relatively isolating experience, but it’s important not to completely disconnect yourself. Try and get in contact with people in your field online, and perhaps arrange meet-ups if you happen to live in the same area.
Stay professional- Just because you’re not in an office doesn’t mean all airs of professionalism should go out the window. It should go without saying that you should never arrange to have a business meeting in your home. Spaces like coffee shops, bars and restaurants can be good neutral grounds for a meeting, or perhaps even consider renting out some office space for the really important events.