Tips on How to Effectively Work from Home

When people think about working from home, many imagine sleeping in late, lounging around in their pajamas and long leisurely lunches. But what people need to realize is that even though working from home offers a great amount of flexibility, it is still a professional job and it needs to be treated as such.

Working from home needs some sort of self-discipline and dedication for one to manage. Individuals need to learn best work at home practices, like setting office hours, having a dedicated office space, avoiding home-bound distractions, and actually dressing as if you were going to an office as this will help keep your mindset sharp and focused.

Read: Basic Work Ethics To Improve Your Job

Working from the comfort of your seat at home has got endless advantages. When other people struggle to work on the normal routine of 8-5 start working at any given time of the day, be it during daytime or at night, since you have all that you require while working with you in the house. But one thing that has to be remembered is to stay focused and try as much as possible to avoid any form of distractions.

Here are some tips on how to work from home and actually make it work:

Have a Specific Working Area in the house

Just like the office, set aside a space that’s conducive enough for you to achieve your best. Make it a dedicated office space that feels as if you’re actually going to ‘work’. Have your equipment ready and set at that space at all times; be it your journals, stationery, laptop etc. Let it be a space where you are comfortable and productive at the same time.

Alternate to avoid any distractions

If you find it hard to concentrate or feel motivated at home – especially with your comfy bed nearby that seems to call you out – you can find places that are relatively calm, quiet and favorable for you to work. Examples of these can be libraries and coffee shops. If you miss the feeling of working alongside others, you can look for areas that offer shared office spaces.

Eat well

With every waking day, you need your supply of nutrients and vitamins to give you the metabolism and energy to work throughout the day. The same case applies to working from home. Just because the kitchen is a few doors down doesn’t mean that you should postpone breakfast to brunch. Eat wisely so that you have enough body fuel to avoid unnecessary snacking of junk food throughout the morning.

Make a Working Timetable

It’s very easy to get sucked into a ‘comfortable’ way of working, especially for the first few weeks that you start working from home. With longer sleeping hours and the freedom that comes with working in your own space, it becomes very easy to fall back especially in your productivity levels.

To be able to effectively work from home, you must be well-organized and highly self-disciplined, and this is no easy task. Make a schedule that helps you get work done.

Recognize things that may bring about distractions

What are some of your things you would like to be doing if you were at home with no work to do? Is it binge watching that new season of Scandal, playing video games, reading or going out with a couple of friends? Make this list and keep it somewhere you can see it during the day then treat it as your reward once you’ve finished your work.

Article by Vera Shawiza.