There's a beautiful freedom that comes from being able to set your hours and work in your pajamas, but without structure, you could be setting yourself up for failure. Use these helpful tips on how to work from home successfully to energize your workspace and schedule.
How can I work from home successfully?
Setting realistic goals is essential when creating an environment that leads to your success. Learning new skills can be beneficial and help with things like time blocking, setting up calendars, and keeping track of projects. You'll want to focus on setting up a designated office space, learn to use your time wisely, and know when to delegate tasks.
Set Realistic Work from Home Goals
People who work from home can be driven to pack as much into a day as possible, without regard to the need for downtime. Working at a frantic pace, without unrealistic productivity goals, can be counterproductive and take a toll on your health.
Use time blocking strategy to manage tasks, and leave room for unexpected emails, phone calls, and pop-up tasks. Schedule breaks that allow you to get up and move if the majority of your daily tasks keep you in front of a computer or at a desk.
Create a Dedicated Work from Home Space
Turn an extra bedroom into office space if this is an option. If not, find the corner of a room or a specific table that you can designate as your workspace to keep things organized.
Make sure your workspace is well lit and free of distractions. Keep your supplies stocked and organized to lessen delays that can hamper productivity.
Establish a Work Schedule
While it may be alluring to daydream about working in your pajamas in the middle of the night, there are benefits to establishing a work schedule. Even if you follow this plan loosely, it will provide some structure that is necessary for success.
The first step is understanding the way you work and the times you feel most alert. If you enjoy working early in the morning, set your schedule to focus on those hours. If you find that working while everyone is asleep keeps you on task, arrange your schedule to include those hours.
Find a Calendar or Planner that Works
Determine which style of planning works best for your personality and the type of work you do from home. Some people do well with electronic planners and calendars, but other people prefer to write things down in a paper planner.
Choose a planner that allows you to note things monthly, weekly, and daily. Daily calendars with time slots are perfect for time blocking tasks to help manage your workflow. Set aside a day of the week to focus on your upcoming meetings, responsibilities, and goals.
Honor Your Free Time
Establishing a schedule that works is vital, but you may be tempted to roll right into your free time if you aren't careful. Learn to honor scheduled free time and make it a non-negotiable appointment that you keep with yourself.
It's common for business owners and those who work from home to be passionate about their jobs. Because of this passion, getting burnt out is a real risk if you don't take time to replenish your energy with free time that allows you to focus on something besides work-related tasks.
Don't Forget to Network
Don't allow yourself to become an island without connections just because you work from home. Research networking opportunities that will enable you to connect with others in your field.
Make time for business meetings that get you out of the office. Connect with others via email, phone calls, and social media. Getting out of the office for just one day a week can increase your productivity and keep burnout at bay.
You Can Work from Home Successfully
With a bit of planning and focus, you can set yourself up for success when it comes to working from home. Be realistic, understand your unique personality when it comes to schedules, and create a workspace that inspires you to be productive.
