13 Tips To Successfully Work From Home
During a strange time in the world, where the week started with a full, super moon, is ending with Friday the 13th, and has been filled with information, mis-information, cancellations, anxiety and fear about COVID-19 - I’m hoping we can all find some time today to sit, feel the sunshine and take a deep breath.
For the past four-ish years, I’ve been on and off working from home. I personally enjoy the freedom that comes along with working from home. Sometimes this means working in my actual home, sometimes it means going to my favorite coffee shop and sometimes it means bringing my computer on my travels and working for somewhere totally new.
Many times, working from home can prove to be way more productive. There aren’t as many distractions, people don’t stop at your desk and interrupt your workflow, you can control the environment - and you can choose a schedule that might work better for your work style.
With the way things are going, it looks like a good majority of us will be working from home in the near future, so I wanted to share my tips for making sure your time spent work from home is successful.
Plan Ahead
As much as possible, it’s always helpful to make your plan of attack for the day, the night before. So, on Monday night before you close your computer for the day, make your list and schedule for Tuesday so you know exactly what you need to jump into.
Make Lists & Time Block
Get your favorite notebook and make one big giant list of all the things you need to get done. When you’re planning out your next day of work time block things out so you have time to get them all done. It should look something like this:
WORK
1 hour: write report
2 hours: research
1 hour: emails
3 hours: competitive research
PERSONAL
30 mins: laundry
1 hour: cook dinner
1 hour: workout
EXTRA TIME
30 mins: Target
30 mins: Post Office
Take Breaks
Start one of your tasks, set your timer for however much time you have allotted for that task - and close out all distractions until the timer goes off. Once the timer goes off, take a break - walk around, go to the bathroom, get some water; just step away from your computer for a minute.
Unlike at the office when nine times out of ten you have to eat at your desk for lunch, actually take 15 - 30 minutes to get up, make yourself lunch and enjoy it - while you’re not looking at your computer.
Set-up Shop
I don’t currently have an office in our apartment, so when I’m working from home I set up shop at our kitchen table. I set up my dual screens, keyboard, mouse, notebook, water - everything I need to do my work. Pick the best spot in your house where distractions are limited and you can really focus.
Use Your Headphones
I’m a big music while I work person, and I’m so used to working either from home or in open working environments. The best way for me to laser focus is to put on my headphones and dial-in, even if I’m the only person home. Put on your favorite Spotify station and get to work.
Block off Workouts
When you’re working from home it’s easy to make excuses for why you should or shouldn’t get your workout in for the day. Stay consistent with your routine and try to do it at the same time each day. Block off this time in your calendar, sign up for the class or commit to going outside and just do it.
Figure Our Your Productive Times
Everyone has different times of the day when they are most productive. For me, it’s usually the first thing in the morning and a chunk of the afternoon. Don’t schedule meetings during this time - try to use this to get the big projects out of the way when your brain is moving a little more quickly.
Schedule A Meeting
Sometimes it’s nice to have a few deadlines on the calendar - not to mention social interaction, especially when you’re stuck home by yourself all day. Try to schedule at least one call or video chat per day to break things up. This can also be a good deadline for you to finish up a task before the call starts.
Leave Chores For Later
If you do your time blocking effectively, you can schedule an hour or two to get your household chores done during that time. If you’re going to sit and think about them all day, then get them done right away in the morning. If it doesn’t bother you - don’t let this be an excuse for not getting your work done. Stick to the time you’ve allotted and do your chores then.
Use An Instant Messaging Tool
If you work for a larger company, they might have a tool in place for instant communication. If you work for a smaller company and you don’t have anything in place, I recommend downloading Slack and giving it a try. You can easily update your status to let your coworkers if you’re working from home or on a call, you can communicate with them without sending an email or making a call and you can also easily transfer files. Slack can be a bit of a distraction as well - so make sure you’re only using it when you need to.
Use A Cloud-Based Server
I’ve been at companies before where everything has been stored on a cloud-based server called Box. I’ve also been places where they have utilized the G-suite. Having all of your important documents stored on a cloud-based service allows you to:
Access everything away from the office
Save it off of your desktop so you don’t have to worry if something happens to your device
Purchase A Dual Screen
I work from a laptop, but when I’m looking at spreadsheets and things it’s easier for me to work when I have two screens. I purchased a second screen that’s portable and connects to my Mac via a USB. I purchased this one on Amazon for $90.00, and it’s been a great investment for me.
Try A Standing Desk
If you’ve always wanted to try a standing desk but haven’t been able to - when you’re working from home you could try out your ironing board. If you need it higher, try to prop it up on some boxes to get it to your ideal height. This might increase your productivity, so go ahead and give it a try.
That’s it! Those are my 13 tips on how to successfully work from home. It might not be for everyone, but I’m curious to know who will enjoy working from home - and how this will change the future of the workforce.
