How to Work from Home
If you’re starting to work from home, you might be looking forward to some perks such as not having to commute, flexible hours, or being able to wear comfy clothes. Whilst the perks are nice, it is important to have a plan to stay productive when working from home for extended periods of time. What works best for working remotely will vary from person to person. These tips should help to find what will work for you so that you can stay focused when working from home.
Create a Seperate Workspace
A separate workspace doesn’t need to be a dedicated room to be an office, it should be a zone that allows you to enter work mode. This might be a small section of the kitchen, a small desk in a corner or if your home is big enough, a seperate room. The workspace should be somewhere not meant for relaxing, and lets other household members know that is is a designated space for work. Try to find what works best for you, for example if you are more productive using a laptop on the sofa, then set your workspace there.
Establish a Routine, include Non Working Hours
Having a routine when working from home is vital, otherwise you might end up working non stop. Try to start work at the same time each day if possible, and aim to schedule breaks and meals around the same time. You should also try to get some outside time once a day, such as getting a coffee or taking a walk. Working from home can feel isolating at times, so try to interact with your coworkers regularly. You can use chat apps, such as Skype, Slack and others. If your not sure what to say, just a simple hello or good morning will suffice to start. However you connect, don’t let email be the only way you interact with colleagues. Finally try to end work at the same time each day. Obviously, there will be times when a late deadline or project needs after-hours attention. But in most situations, a 10PM work email can wait until the following morning for a response.
Let other household members know that your Working from Home
Make sure everyone in your family/house member knows that when you’re working, you’re not available unless it’s important. It’s a good idea to purchase noise cancelling headphones so that others know not to approach and distract you when you need to work. Try to establish clear boundaries about when you are and aren’t available.
Get the Tools you Need
You’ll get plenty of advice on purchasing various work tools, such as a standing desk or a separate work computer. If you have the resources and think you will benefit from the tools, go for it. See if your company can reimburse you for the expenses. If your company is requiring you to work from home, find out what tools they’ll provide and what they’ll pay for. The must haves for working at home are a decent Wi-Fi connection, a computer capable of handling the work, and a reliable smartphone.