Making working from home, work.
As we enter an entirely new era of working life, and working from home has become the norm not the exception, here are some tips and tricks for making the transition as successful as possible.
1. Keep Regular Work Hours
When learning how to work from home full time or part time, one of the most important and basic things you can do is to create a regular schedule for yourself.
2. Space maker
Having a lap top means you can set up shop all over the house, but to be truly work efficient, make sure you have a designated space for your files and office equipment. Having these potentially messy items in one particular area will help with keeping the rest of your home feeling like home.
3. Use a Planner
In addition to making to-do lists, get into the habit of using a calendar or planner. For example, if you work from home some days but you are on the road others, get in the habit of using a planner to write down and keep track of deadlines, appointments, and meetings.
4. Take a break.
Like any working environment, it is important to take the occasional break to let your brain and body relax. Take a 10-minute walk, do gentle exercises in your lounge room, make lunch or catch up with a friend over the phone. Short breaks will help give you the ability to refocus on your work tasks – ultimately supporting both your productivity and mental health.
5. Save your back.
You may occasionally switch from the kitchen stool to the lounge but your back will thank you if you invest in a good quality office chair. Or better still a stand up desk or even a balance ball will ensure you are really looking after your body even while you’re working.
6. Stay in the Loop
One of the best things about working in an office is the potential for collaboration and socialization. You don’t have to lose this just because you are working from home. When you are learning how to work from home, try to check in with your coworkers at least a couple of times per week, whether by email, phone or a zoom call!
7. Dress Like You’re at Work
Even if you won’t be interacting with another person all day, it’s important to dress for success. This includes showering and brushing your teeth! Sweatpants and a T-shirt might be more comfortable, but you may also feel sluggish, sleepy, or unmotivated.
8. Use Time Management Apps
If you struggle with staying on task while working from home, then you may need to kick things up a notch and use a time management app. Productivity apps will track the amount of time you spend on each task and even minimize distractions.
