Working from home can be great. You can often set your own hours, dress however you want to, and you don’t have to worry about a long or stressful commute. On the flip side, it can be difficult to keep yourself production with so many distractions and you may end up not getting everything done you need to or reach your goals.
After over 15 years of working from home either part time or full time, I have come to realize there are keys I have implemented that have allowed me work successfully and get stuff done just like I would if I drove to an office every day. Today I’m really excited to share 5 of my top keys to staying productive with you work from home.
#1 Set a Schedule
Whether you plan to work 9-5 or some other variation, it’s important to set a schedule and try to stick to it. Sure with kiddos to run around to various things or appointments, it may be hard to keep the same schedule all the time but getting into a consistent routine for most days will help you treat your work more seriously like you would if you drove into the office every day.
#2 Get dressed.
If you are a solopreneur or blogger it may not make sense to get dressed up in your pencil skirt and heels to go to work but the key is to shower, do your hair, throw on a little bit of makeup and put on some presentable clothes. They key is to dress yourself enough that you would feel comfortable running into a client or colleague in.
#3 Establish a Dedicated Work Space
There is nothing wrong with working from the couch or in bed but that isn’t the most productive spot all the time. Sure it’s comfy to curl up in bed or sprawl out on the couch with your laptop but it’s important to have a dedicated work area for your business. Convert and extra bedroom in your house into an office or if you don’t have a room to use, dedicate a quiet corner somewhere where you can dedicate to your work. Make sure it’s somewhere quiet or where you wont be distracted with the TV, laundry, etc.
#4 Set Goals
I can tell you from 12+ years of experience working from home that if you don’t have a boss holding you accountable for your work then you need to find other ways to keep yourself motivated. Money is a good motivator of course but setting goals both short term and long terms will also help keep you motivated and on track.
#5 Set Boundaries
You’ve dedicated a space in your home to be your work space but you need to make sure your household (spouse, kids, etc.) understand this. You also need to make sure that they understand your work hours and be respectful of this time that you need to get your work done.
Working from home can be such a great luxury but for some it can be difficult to stay motivated and productive. I hope that these five tips, taken from my many years of experience, provide you with some inspiration for staying motivated and productive working from home as well!
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