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Working from home seems to be the new normal these days. Many people have had to work from home because of Covid 19. As an online freelancer, I can tell you that it’s not as straightforward as it might seem.
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Yes, you’ll be able to avoid the stressful daily commute from home to work and back. You’ll also love the idea of avoiding that annoying coworker that loves to stop by for a chat. You know the ones that keep you from getting any real work done.
While it sounds like heaven, it can easily become a nightmare to get any work done if you have kids. You work-at-home moms know what I’m talking about. Young children seem to know no boundaries when things aren’t going their way.
If you’re not a disciplined person, you won’t get much work done at home. Some people need the pressure of a boss watching over them.
Some people also need the social interaction of having coworkers around them. Even if you have kids, there are times when you need to have social interaction with your peers at work.
If you find yourself in a position where you have to work from home, here are ten tips for getting some work done at home.
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Take on a work mindset.
Pretend you’re actually at work. Remember that it’s not a vacation. You’re working from home. I know it can be tempting, but this isn’t the time to take on all those projects that didn’t get done before.
Get out of those pajamas while you’re at it. That’ll help get you into a working mindset as well. You don’t have to wear a suit and tie, but wear something comfortable. Pajamas are for sleeping in, not work.
Make a list of things to do
Make a list of things that you want to get done for that particular day. You’ll be able to keep track of your progress this way, by sticking to that list. You’ll also have a sense of accomplishment when completing your daily list.
Since you’re working from home, you’ll probably want to throw in extra time to complete the list.
Make a daily schedule.
Make a daily schedule and stick to it. If you’re a morning person, schedule your work hours for that time. The same thing works, whether you’re a night or evening person as well. Stick to those hours, and you’ll do fine.
Set a time and start working precisely at that time, as if you were at work. As a morning person, I’ll get straight to it as soon as I have my breakfast and get in a workout. I’ll probably start work before 8:30. That would be the time I would’ve started if I had commuted to work.
Have a dedicated workspace
Have an area in the house where you can work exclusively. It’s best if you can dedicate a room for your home office. However, if you have to share a room for this, cordon off an area for your workspace. Discuss this arrangement with the rest of the occupants in the house.
In this space, no kids or pets are allowed in this area. Yes, I know it can be hard to keep the space in an open area away from very young kids. You’ll have to let them know that this is mommy’s (or daddy’s) space.
Remove all distractions
Remove all distractions, especially the most significant distraction of all…social media. Yes, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
- Only open the browser and tab that you’re using.
- Turn off all notifications on your computer.
- Turn off your Wifi. However, if you need to keep in touch with your employment place, this won’t be an option.
Don’t multitask
Try not to multitask. Complete one thing and move on. If the baby needs attention, tend to the baby alone. Don’t go back and forth. Multitasking can be the worst way to complete tasks. You won’t get anything done if you work this way.
Stay social
Everyone needs some social interaction, even introverts. Working at home can keep you isolated from other humans. You won’t have the daily interaction of your coworkers at work, or on your daily commute.
- Maintain communication with your office. Use Whatsapp, Skype or video conferencing to keep in touch.
- Join a gym or another place where there’s social interaction.
- If you’re in an area where there’s a lockdown, join online groups. Working like this is an excellent way of communicating with like-minded people.
- If it’s possible to leave home, work from a public space in your area with Wifi. This is a great way to see other humans. Coffee shops, the library, and even the beach are options that come to mind.
Prepare meals from the night before
Don’t choose a workday to put your cooking skills to work. Cooking can take up valuable work time. If you’re eating light, you’ll have time to prepare a sandwich, however. Cook a light breakfast and leave the big cooking for dinner and the next day’s meal prep.
Get some exercise
When you were commuting, you probably gave yourself the excuse that you didn’t have time. You can now put in a half-hour before work to get those juices flowing. It’s a great idea to lose weight and get in the mood for work.
Take breaks
Everybody needs a break during their workdays. First of all, sitting all day is terrible for your health. Get outside and get some fresh air. No, it’s not the time to mow the lawn, but take a short walk around the house and get in some stretches at the same time. Your hip flexors will thank you for the stretches. Your body will also thank you for the natural daylight
Take these ten tips and get your work-at-home productivity into gear. If you can think of any more tips, leave your comments below