Many of us stay at home hoping to get some work done only to find out that we can’t concentrate. There always seems to be something interesting on TV, something exciting to do on the internet (hey – don’t blame Toronto is Mine), and you’re always feeling a little hungry. Learn to sail through distractions and become productive working from home with these tips.
Tips for [tag]Working from home[/tag]
* Start out with something easy, fun or interesting. This helps you build momentum throughout the day.
* Stick to a schedule. Treat your days like a “regular” work day. Many people have found that a 9-5 or 10-6 schedule really helps keep them on track and productive.
* Separate your “work” area from your “living” area. This includes your phone and computer. If you’re a gamer, you should use a separate computer, or maybe a separate alias. Or hit up the Xbox like me!
* Get out and about as often as you can. Take a walk, go outside, meet people for lunch—that kind of thing.
* Work on networking. Since you probably don’t have coworkers, it’s good to get to know people who are doing the same things as you so you can socialize a bit, etc.
* Reward yourself when you’ve done something significant.
* Get dressed everyday. Don’t wear pajamas all day. It’ll make you feel less work-like.
* Set, and stick to, deadlines. Even when you don’t need them.
* Take breaks. Get away from the computer and don’t work through lunch. I’ve noticed this can be hard already. I’m beginning to force myself up and about every hour or so.
* Keep your [tag]weekends[/tag]. Working from home shouldn’t change the [tag]work/life balance[/tag] you’ve got. Well, unless it lets you do more “life”! ;0)
* Limit distractions. Keep your work area clear from things that might get you off track. Guess I need to move the PSP…
* Have a plan and goals for what you want to accomplish each week.
* Request feedback from clients and other folks you work with on a regular basis. This can help you identify shortcomings and keep you motivated to keep improving your skills, etc.
One thing I noticed is that using a system like David Allen’s Getting Things Done really prepares you to be [tag]productive[/tag] in many situations, including working from home. For me, I’ve gotten so much [tag]accomplished[/tag] this week—my first week [tag]working from home[/tag]—it’s amazing. AND I’ve had more free time. I don’t think I’d have done half as much had I not had my systems in place and been able to adapt them.
Source: AllBusiness.com
