Working from home is incredible. For many people, it just makes sense. It’s quieter than an office. The food is better than the typical work cafeteria (if you choose to eat). You can wear yoga pants and a stained t-shirt if you darn well, please. But working from home isn’t for everyone – especially when it comes to things like distraction and isolation. Especially when juggling the demands of home and work, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose focus. So we’ve put together a list of tips that should help you stay on track when working from home.
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7 Tips To Help You Work From Home
You know that some unique challenges come with the territory if you work from home. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your work-from-home situation.
1. Learn How To Attach An Invoice
When you work from home, you are your boss. This means that you need to learn how to invoice clients for your work. It also means that you need to know what expenses you can and cannot claim as tax deductions. Make sure that you understand invoicing and accounting principles so that you don’t run into any problems come tax time. That means you must learn how to write an email with the invoice attached so that you don’t have to print out the invoice, sign it, and scan it. Also, learn how to attach an invoice as a PDF (and possibly convert it into a JPEG) so that you can send invoices via email regardless of what device or computer you are using.
2. Stick To A Schedule
Working from home is fantastic because you can do it in your pajamas, and no one has any idea what you’re wearing unless you tell them. However, just because you can work at midnight doesn’t mean that’s the best time for you to crank out those reports. If you want to be productive, then try sticking with a schedule as much as possible so that your day stays structured and organized even when working from home. And sleep well – studies show that lack of sleep can hinder mental performance by as much as 32 percent.
3. Create A Separate Workspace
If you have a separate workspace, then it will feel more official. This can be as simple as clearing out your table or working from your bed. If you are used to working in an office environment, try setting up a little office area in the corner of the room where you work. You may want to invest in working equipment like a standing desk if that’s what you’re accustomed to. By having a designated space for work, you’ll be able to better transition into and out of work mode, which can be especially helpful when working from home.
4. Set Boundaries
Just as you would in an office environment, you need to set boundaries when working from home. This includes things like not working while you’re at the dinner table or watching your kid’s soccer game. When clients know your boundaries, they will be less likely to contact you outside of work hours. It can be tough to set boundaries when you work from home. After all, there’s no one telling you what to do or when to do it. But it’s important to remember that just because you’re at home doesn’t mean that you can’t be productive. Make sure that you set specific working hours, designate particular days for work, and stick to them as much as possible.
5. Stay Organized
One of the biggest challenges of working from home is staying organized. This includes things like keeping your work area clean and clutter-free, organizing your files, and ensuring that you have all the necessary supplies at hand. It also means being diligent about managing your time clients for your work. It also means that you need to know what expenses you can and cannot claim as tax deductions. Make sure that you understand invoicing and accounting principles so that you don’t run into any surprises come tax season.
6. Get Dressed
Even if you work from home, it’s essential to get up and dressed as though you were going to an office. Just because you’re not going into an office doesn’t mean that you can lounge around in your pajamas all day (although we won’t judge if that’s your thing). By getting dressed every day, you’ll make it feel more like an official workspace and less like a bedroom. And for those of us who are easily distracted, it might be a good idea to shower every day. You don’t have to dress for success or wear a power suit and tie every day – try putting on some nice clothes that you wouldn’t normally wear when lounging at home.
7. Take Breaks
Working from home can sometimes feel like one long break, but it’s important to remember to take breaks throughout the day. This will help you stay focused and energized. Get up and walk around, drink some water or step outside for fresh air. Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean that you can’t take a break. Taking breaks is essential to maintaining productivity when working from home. Get up and move around every hour or so. Also, make sure that you take time for yourself – even if that means soaking in the bathtub for an hour. These breaks will help you stay fresh and focused, essential when working from home.
Working from home can be a great way to balance work and family life, but it’s essential to set boundaries to be productive. Make sure that you designate specific days for work and stick to them as much as possible. Those days of the week that you designate as work-free should be just that – free. That means no laundry, TV shows, and social media. If possible, it also helps to find a separate space outside of your home where you can do some work if your house is too distracting. So if you’re thinking about making the switch to working from home, follow these tips to help make the transition a little bit easier.
