For some of us these days, working from home is the ultimate career dream. For others it is something they have come upon accidentally as a move that has suited the problems of recent times. You might think of working from home as an endless life of lie-ins, long lunch breaks and a life free of commutes...
You might need to think again.
The Canal Boat Theory
Many people dream of living a life less complicated and one of the more popular dreams is living life onboard your very own canal boat. But any Chandler worth their salt will tell you to give it a try, not at the height of summer, but on a cold winter’s weekend. The toilets still need attention; the lock gates will still need operating.
Suddenly the dream is mixed with a sobering dose of reality; working from home is exactly the same...
Working from home can often feel like it’s you versus the world, it can be isolating; it can be a life fraught with procrastination and a blurring of the boundary between work and downtime.
But it can also be amazing, completely and utterly fulfilling.
If you are working from home, or dreaming about it, here are some tips to make sure it is those very things.
Get the balance right
It is a common misconception that working from home allows you to have more time to yourself. The opposite is far more common and to avoid falling into that trap you must be selfish to a certain degree.
For many it can be impossible to switch off at the end of their working day when working from home, there’s no building to leave, no commute to undertake and making that line in the sand between work and home life can prove tricky.
Will you be available to clients when they contact you after hours?
Will you have problems switching from work to home life and vice versa if you aren’t physically leaving one for the other?
These are all important questions to address if you thinking about working from home successfully.
Eating, drinking and taking breaks
These might all be things we take for granted in the workplace, but when that workplace is in our homes, it can all get a bit jumbled...
Let’s look at drinking first. Water is a big deal; it keeps us hydrated and helps us stay alert and focused. Work with a glass of it close by and you’ll be okay. Working from home can mean a long day in a centrally heated house, that sounds wonderfully snug in the colder winter months but it can really dehydrate you.
When it comes to food, try to resist the temptation to raid the fridge during work hours. Think about what you might take to an office for lunch, or snacks such as fruit for break time. You could try to give yourself similar break times when working from home and of course, try to eat similar food such as something light, portable... No that leftover pizza from last night!
Finally, a word about breaks, they are just as important when working from home as they are in the office. Even if it amounts to a quick sit in the garden with a cup of tea, it is a break, designed to give your mind and body a brief rest. Breaks help you keep going, be sure to take them.
Think about your workspace
There is no denying it; working from home is a lot easier when you are able to set aside a space dedicated to it. In an ideal work that will be an entire room, your very own home office! It should have a desk, available internet and a sensible chair (posture is a big deal and needs real thought when you are responsible for your own working environment.)
If a home office is not a possibility, think smart. Consider a smaller desk in a corner of an existing room in the quietest part of the house. A nice window view is a good thing to have but if it’s overlooking the road it might prove annoying.
It’s very tempting to use the sofa... Avoid it at all costs. Comfort and relaxation are lovely things to enjoy but not during the times you set aside for working from home. That time requires focus, discipline and a healthy dose of professionalism.
Learn to plan and prioritise ruthlessly
Ever growing to-do lists and looming deadlines can really take a toll on your productivity and working from home can be unbearably stressful when you don’t have an actual workplace to leave at the end of the day.
Scheduling is a big deal, based it around priorities and if the possibility of more work arises in the meantime then be honest with your client and yourself. They will appreciate your honesty and the fact that you are busy is a great advert for you and your services.
Keep your to-do list full of bite-size tasks whenever possible, even think about breaking larger projects into more manageable, less intimidating chunks.
The urge to procrastinate will disappear and your productivity will stay strong and steady.
Stay focused
Despite its many drawbacks, the place of work is a place dedicated to well...work. If we go there we know we are going to do a job.
It’s not that straightforward at home...
There are distractions, our phones, YouTube, the garden, pets and kids. They might all vie for our time when working from home, some from simple necessity, and others with sheer temptation.
To make working from home work for you, you simply have to be able to rise above distractions. That means a space in your home dedicated to work, playlists that are instrumental and even apps designed to help us put an end to these unhealthy distractions, such as Freedom or Wunderlist.
Working from home is a reality for many and a dream for many more. The world has shifted to make it more plausible than ever before. If it has been a long held ambition then go for it.
It may well be the best decision you ever make.
Comments