Working from home is an unbeatable gratifying feeling. Whether you are telecommuting or you recently had your baby, and you are now a stay-at-home mom, working from home can be fun. However, there are times you will find yourself not having the energy to work. Challenges such as distractions will also be there. How you handle them is what determines your productivity which is seen through results.
Here’s a guide to survive when working from home:
1. Set up a home office
The first step to staying productive while working from home is having a home office. Do you have a spare room you could renovate to an office? Sometimes, you’ll find that you have to declutter your house to make room.
Decluttering is necessary especially if the room you intend to use has been a storage room or a laundry room. Setting up the home office involves buying a table and chair that suit the purpose. Next, you may need some storage cabinets for documents you need to verify at a later date.
Once the room is ready, you can begin your journey of working from home.
2. Make a list of what needs to be done
A plan is a must-do task before the next day. Planning prepares your mind psychologically on what you are supposed to do. Set deadlines on specific tasks which you need to complete for accountability purposes.
Make a checklist and tick once you complete the stated tasks. Structure your day just as you would if you were in the office. This keeps you on your toes and helps you become more productive.
3. Dress for the occasion
Working from home is similar to going to the office only that the comfort is incomparable. Funny as it sounds, it could work in your favor to dress up as if you are going to the office. This helps the home office feel like a real office.
It does not mean you dress in formal clothes, just dress decently and avoid working when wearing your PJs.
4. Get a distraction nearby but out of sight
Working needs regular breaks. How do you plan your breaks? It could be after every two hours. What do you do during the breaks? Have something to keep you distracted so that you can relax your mind. It could be doing some light exercises, or just walking around or a game of Clash of Clans. Resting helps your mind relax and enables you to start afresh when you get back to work.
5. Choose your colors wisely
Color has everything to do with the mood you have when working. What are your favorite colors? What color makes you feel relaxed? How are your home office walls painted? Are they purple, white or orange? Get a color that increases the chances of your mind relaxing.
If your room colors make you feel like pulling out your hairs, then you need to change the colors. You could repaint if you own the house or ask the landlord if you can repaint if it’s a rental.
Lighting is also crucial to your mood. Ensure that enough light comes in during the day without glaring through the computer screen. You can also rearrange the office to help you have enough light.
6. Work away from home
As much as working from home is comfortable, get outside the comfort zone once in a while. Look for a coffee shop near your house that has free Wi-Fi and work from there. You could actually do more work there than when in the house. This helps increase your productivity levels.
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7. Set boundaries with friends and neighbors
Do you have those friends who don’t take your working from home seriously? Do they keep calling or popping in to make small talk? Friends and neighbors can be major distractors because they believe you should have time for them.
Set strict boundaries during your working time. Don’t pick calls even when they call you unless it’s an emergency. Have talks with your neighbors and make them know your working hours, so they don’t walk in when you are busy.
8. Avoid non-work-related appointments in the middle of the day
Doctors’ appointments are among the things that reduce your productivity during the day. Schedule appointments during the weekend (especially if you don’t work during weekends) to avoid disrupting your day unless it’s an emergency. You can also schedule them in at the end of the day when you complete your tasks.
If a home office is what makes you productive, then do it. Life is about going for the things we want and are passionate about.
