8 Tips for Working From home

Being able to make a living without ever having to leave your home sounds like a dream come true. But, working from home isn’t without its challenges. Not everyone do it successfully and those who can have to adjust to working in such a flexible environment.

Do something you like. Even at home, work is still work. With no one looking over your shoulder or forcing you to do your job, the excitement of doing something you like will help keep you motivated to work, even on days you may not necessarily feel like it.

Keep standard work hours. Your work hours don’t have to be 9 to 5, unless of course, you have an employer who says you need to be available during those hours. Otherwise, you can set your work hours for anytime of day you like. That’s the beauty of working from home. If you work best from 5 am until 10 am, you can work then. Having a dedicated work time ensures that you get your work done. Make sure you take breaks, 10 to 20 minutes every hour, so you don’t get burned out.

Start your day like you’re going to work. You don’t have to get dressed in a business suit, but get dressed. Brush your teeth. Have breakfast. Run your fingers through your hair.

Make a list of things you want to accomplish. Start your day with a list of goals. That way you know from the start what you need to get done. You’re not wasting precious time trying to figure out what to do next. Weekly and monthly goals can also be instrumental in keeping you on task.

Set aside a workspace. Having a space to work is critical for your productivity. You can try working in other places, your living room or the dining room, but for optimal productivity, a home office is better. Another benefit of having a home office is that the expense is deductible if you deduct other business expenses.

Work outside your home sometimes. Working in the same place everyday can get mundane. Switch it up sometimes. Work outside on the balcony, in a coffee shop, or at the library. Breaking up the monotony of being in the same place everyday is a great motivational tool.

There’s another benefit to leaving the house – you get to see other people. Working at home can feel isolating and can be tough for people who are extroverts. Be careful, venturing out can make you vulnerable to distractions from people who simply want to chat while you’re trying to get some work done.

Fight distractions. You’d be surprised at the amount of distractions you have to fight daily. If there are family members, especially small children, at home with you during your work hours, you’ll have a tough time getting things done. Even people who do not live at home with you can prove to be distractions from your work, with calls for favors or just to chat. You must win the battle against these distractions if you want to stay motivated.

Stop working when you’re scheduled to stop. It’s just as important that you end your workday as it is that you start it. Make it a point to end your workday. Get to a stopping point and wrap up your work, just as you would if you were leaving the job and going home. Remember that you’re working from home for more flexibility. So stop working so you can spend time with your family or have more free time for yourself.

When you work at home, the lines between your personal life and your work life can blur can fade and even disappear if you let them. You can find yourself working too much or, even worse, not at all if you’re not careful about managing your schedule.