Work from home: 10 tips to work remotely efficiently
Are you a freelancer, consultant, working in digital or on projects where there is no need for your daily presence in a company? It means that this article about working from home is for you.
Indeed, you need organization, discipline, and patience, because I believe things will settle in time. Your brain will become accustomed to the environment in which you work.
Ok, and you still need some time management tricks, organization, and concentration, to work efficiently and productively from your own home:
1. Make yourself a work schedule
If your regular work schedule was from 9-17, make it possible to respect the same time also when you are working remotely. Establishing a regular work schedule will help you in time to focus better on what you do and not to get sidetracked by your tasks.
Also, when considering setting up a remote work schedule, take into consideration several factors:
- When your boss needs to be available
- When you need to communicate with colleagues and clients
- Period of the day when you are most productive
If you are a morning person, it’s probably the best to start with full strength early in the morning. If not, choose a work schedule that begins afternoon, and you will be productive towards evening, or even at night. It also depends on the environment in which you work and other responsibilities you have.
2. Respects the working hours set
Once you have established step number 1, follow this schedule as much as possible, so as not to mix the job tasks with those at home. It’s important to work when you say you will, just as it’s essential to give yourself free time when you promise.
3. Establish a workflow
Probably the term workflow is known to you from the office. You must do the same thing when you work from home. Before you start working, make sure you know what the priorities are for that day, as long as you think you will finish what you have proposed.
In general, it’s good to consider things such as:
- Tasks with maximum priority;
- Energy level – do the most challenging work when you have the most energy during the day;
- Planning breaks and meals.
4. Create a workspace at home
It may be tempting to work from the couch or even the bed, but this could significantly affect your productivity. Always try to work from the same room, office, or special place in the living room to tell your brain that it’s time for work, not relaxation.
5. Choose office products
Writing tools, calendars, calendars, and various stationery and office products are essential for organizing your work environment. Keep in mind that you need a comfortable office chair to support your back for as many hours as you would in a company. You can personalize your work desk with a small pot, a picture with a motivational message, with objects that always remind you of the purpose and objectives set.
6. Maintains cleanliness
Unlike the office, where there is a specialized person in charge of cleaning offices, at home, you will have to wash your coffee mug, take the garbage and vacuum. Maintaining cleanliness at your home office helps you stay focused, organized, and productive.
Even if you are generally a person who is not bothered by a messy office, keeping things in order will help you stay focused and in good health. Establishing a weekly cleaning schedule is important, so don’t be tempted to clean it during your work schedule.
7. Dress appropriately
Probably, in the first phase, the fact that you can work in your pajamas will seem to you the greatest advantage. Believe me; it’s not so. At least not in the first few months when your brain has to get used to the new work environment. Of course, there is no need to wear heels or pants at the strap but dress in a comfortable outfit as if you were going to work on a Friday.
8. Limit visits
Working from home means all work, so your friends or family members need to understand precisely this. Set limits on calling hours or visits, so you won’t be interrupted while you work.
9. Schedule morning and evening outings
Even if you work from home and have the benefit of a flexible program, try to schedule your trips to the doctor, dentist, or to pay taxes, as you would typically do if you would go to work. Don’t interrupt your work in the middle of the day because it will be difficult for you to resume the tasks, and you will focus sharply.
10. Use organizational tools
There are plenty of tools on the internet to help you organize your daily tasks. Asana, Trello, Evernote, Zoho, Basecamp are just a few of them. It’s just that they also work based on your work. If these tools are just not working for you, don’t waste time setting them up. You can go for the simple Excel, or if you are a more conservative but effective person, do not give up the pen and notebook.
Freedom and flexibility are by far the most appreciated benefits when working on your own at home!