The benefits of working from home are endless. From the benefit of setting your own schedule, saving money by having lunch at home thus cutting the costs of buying lunch, beating the hustle of rushing through traffic and most of all, being your own boss; working from the comfort of your home has endless perks.
However, working from home also has its constraints. As a writer who works from home, it took a lot to discipline myself in order to get my work done by the end of the day while still staying productive.
Here are some five tricks I’ve learnt and applied over the years:
Make sure you have a dedicated workspace
Sure you have plenty of furniture in the house but what works best for you as a work space? Is it comfortable? Do you have enough lighting? Does your chair have adequate lumbar support?
Just like the office, you have to aside a space that’s conducive enough for you to achieve your best. Ensure it is a space that is ready and available at all times.
Working at home also doesn’t mean you have to work from home. If your house doesn’t have adequate space for you or you have too many distractions, find a place near your home where you can work. It can be a quiet restaurant or a dedicated work space for hire.
Stick to a work schedule
It is very easy to get distracted while not working at the office. There’s more time to sleep, eat or watch movies and forget about your work.
In order to make sure you are effectively able to work from home, prepare a schedule that you will adhere to. I found that it’s easier to work through the most difficult of projects from 6-10 a.m, just like in the office. The afternoon becomes a bit lazier so I focus on lighter projects.
Make sure people know that you’re working
Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean that you’re not serious with your work. People might sometimes excuse the fact that you work from home as a reason to pop by and visit when they please. To avoid this, make sure these people know that you’re only available at certain times.
Don’t forget to eat!
As ironic as this sounds – since you have your kitchen at just a stone throw away – sometimes work gets in the way and we forget to eat. With this, you also have to ascertain that you eat healthy. Much on fruits, snacks and nuts to keep your energy up during the day.
Network
Now that you have less access to office parties and events, you might run the risk of losing relevance in your respective industry. Take advantage of social media, your friends’ networks and your previous contacts in order to stay relevant.
