More and more employees these days are now regularly working from home. Not only can they work in the comfort of their home but also save money on commuting to and from work. However, although many find that they’re more productive when working from home, losing the structure provided by a regular Office job can be detrimental to success.
Working from home is great. Well, right up until your cat decides to come and sit on your keyboard. And your neighbour starts firing up all sorts of noisy machinery next door. So, whether you’re self-employed, working remotely or doing some work while on leave, you might experience difficulties that those in an office setting don’t.
For many modern professionals, working from home is a luxury afforded by their companies. But which environment allows you to be more productive: home or an office? In the office, colleagues often pose the greatest threat, keeping you from getting work done. They often drop by your desk and engage you in conversation. But having a home office, on the other hand, can make it easy for you to become your own worst enemy. You won’t be surrounded by coworkers and will actually be free to get some real work done. But you won’t necessarily feel the same peer pressure or communal obligation to get things done.
There are many ways to be more productive at home as you are in the office. Here are five tips to increase your productivity at home.
Stick to your office working hours
What are your current office working hours? nine to five maybe? Well, when working from home, try to stick to that. Once you commit yourself to specific hours like you did at the office, you’re likely to get more work done. However, the good thing about working from home is that you can create your own working schedule. There’s no need to do the nine to five. If you work better at night time and the kind of work that you do allows you to work at any time, start work after dinner. Whatever your working hours are, it’s best to get into a routine and be committed to it. That way you can ensure you’ll get work done.
Get started early
If you’re sticking to the nine to five schedule, then it’s better to start early. So, when you wake up, make yourself a strong cup of coffee and start working immediately. It might also be best to get ready for the day and pretend you’re actually going to an office. You’re then likely to stay more focused on the task at hand. And it’ll also ensure that you don’t end up back in bed. You don’t have to put on a suit or dress but you should at least get out of your pyjamas. Do you use the morning for brainstorming while you’re in the office? Then stick with the same schedule at home. While you’re likely to get more tasks done faster at home, sticking to your normal routine will help keep you focused and productive.
Don’t stay at home
You might have a home office but it’s sometimes better to get out of the house. Go to your local coffee shop or library and work from there for a few hours. But make sure there’s a WiFi enabled establishment with actual tables, chairs and people. All that might help stimulate the work environment for you. It’ll remove any distractions you’ll have at home, like the urge to clean your room, do your laundry or watch TV. But it’s all about motivation and dedication. Because anyone can go sit at their local coffee shop and browse through their social media platforms or checking out the people walking past. You’ll have to encourage yourself to actually work.
Develop relationships with other telecommuters
You likely won’t get the benefits of bonding with colleagues in the kitchen while making coffee anymore. So, why not try to make friends with other telecommuters? If you, for instance, did an information technology course, you know how the tech world always changes. That’s the perfect excuse to meet up with other telecommuters in the same field to share ideas and knowledge. It’s also important to keep communication open between yourself and your colleagues in and out of the office.
“Leave” work at the end of the day
People often leave the office and go home to get away from work. Unfortunately, working from home doesn’t give you that option. So, it’s up to you to make sure you still maintain a careful work-life balance. When you’re done for the day, pack away and switch off your computer as if you’re going home. You’re working from home, but that doesn’t mean you should be working all the time while you’re at home.
It’s important to plan out ahead what you’ll be doing. A to-do list usually works the best. That way you can ensure you do all your work and even more.
