Working at Home instead of Office
Earning an income from your humble abode can be extremely satisfying, relaxing, and productive at the same time. Working from home can also feel frustrating if it is not done right. Working from home is not permission to take a mental vacation whenever you don’t feel like working. There is no office manager standing over your shoulder monitoring your productivity. If you want to see the office manager while working from home, all you have to do is walk over to the closest mirror in your house. It is your responsibility to set the professional tone and manage productivity at your home office.
Making the transition from working in an office to working at home will be much easier to do if you set goals.Contrary to popular belief, an 8 hour work day is not the best way to produce results at work. You might feel more productive working a 6 hour day, including taking leisure breaks. If you want to work ten hour days, you are free to do that too. Set a schedule for yourself while you work from home and try to stick to it. Each day that you work from home can be different; Mondays can be shorter hours, Tuesdays a bit longer, appointments and errands can be done on Wednesday. Working from home does not have to done in the same type of rigid micro-managing environment that you dealt with working in your employer’s building, but you still need to set goals and standards for your work day.
Your family members and friends might be overjoyed that you are now working from home because they think that you’ll have more time to help them run their errands, accept their delivery packages, and meet up for socializing. You need to quickly let your loved ones know that working from home does not mean that you can blow off your work responsibilities and be available whenever they need you. One of the benefits of working from home is that you have more flexibility to adjust your schedule and attend social functions, but your work still needs to be a priority. When your friends and neighbors want to pop by your house for a chat while you are working, politely tell your friends that you are unavailable and will phone them when you are available to get together.
Designating a space in your home for a home office where you will focus on your work will help you to more easily make the transition from working in an office to working at home. Decorate your office with reminders about why you chose to work from home. Pictures of your loved ones, posters with inspirational quotes, and an organized yet cozy office space where you feel comfortable will inspire you to enjoy your work. Discipline yourself to get up by a certain time, shower and get dressed, and start working at a certain time.
It is perfectly fine to drink coffee while you work, but staying in your pajamas all day and expecting to feel productive is a mistake. Treat your work day at home with the importance it deserves by getting dressed and showing up with an attitude ready to work and make a difference. Keep your home office organized, set goals for yourself, and keep daily reminders about why completing your work goals is so important. Working from home can help you to achieve a better work and life balance as long as you prioritize your responsibilities the way you would if you were working in an office setting with an employer looking over your shoulder.
