Working from home has many benefits including flexibility around family commitments, saving commuting time, being more productive and much more.

I love working from home but am constantly asked how I manage my time and still achieve what I need to when there are so many distractions.  Here are a few of my tips that have helped me, and hopefully they may assist you as well.

  1. Space

Find a space that is your office and create a work environment around it whether it’s the garage, a spare room, your bedroom or the dining room.  Ensure there is enough room for you to do what you need to and when you are finished working pack away at the end of the day/night as you would in an office.  Clear your desk ready to start fresh in the morning.

Eclectic Home Office

Eclectic Home Office design by Boise Interior DesignerJudith Balis

  2. Hours

Schedule in the hours you will work each week.   If you’re fitting work around family commitments, then schedule in when you will fit in work.  If you don’t have this challenge, then schedule your work around your weekly meetings and other commitments even if it means scheduling time in the evening or at weekends.  If you set these hours aside in your calendar or diary you are more likely to stick to them and achieve what you need to.

  3. Dress

Make sure you dress as though you are going to work.  Whilst sitting around in your PJ’s may seem appealing, it won’t make you more productive.  Dressing as if you are going to office job will make you feel great, which in turns help you get into the right frame of mind for work.  It also helps differentiate between home time and work time.

Tea

  4. Breaks

Take regular breaks to get away from your desk as you would do when working in an office environment.  Sit outside for lunch, have a cup of tea, go for a 20 minute walk or even go to the nearest coffee shop for morning tea.  It will help you be more productive in the long run.

  5. Location

Change your work location to mix things up by going to the local library or a coffee shop once a week.  It will help keep things fresh for you and provide you with renewed inspiration.

  6. Socialise

Either attend regular networking events that are related to your business or arrange to meet with a friend or associate who also works from home.  It will help your mindset by providing a break from sitting at your desk all day and will feed the social side of your character.

  7. Education

Just because you’re working from home this shouldn’t prevent you from continuing to educate yourself both in your line of work and also your personal development.  Look out for training courses, webinars and events that can help.

Working from home does come with its challenges, however anyone can do it and many do it with great success!  If you have any additional tips, we’d love to hear your feedback and comments.