I began working from home just about a year ago and it’s taken me some time to get it right. I’m definitely not an expert but thought I’d share some tips on working from home successfully. This might be especially helpful for those of you who “work from home” occasionally. I know that often “work from home” means “not really working at all” but you can change that with a few simple strategies. Hopefully you’ll find these tips on how to work from home helpful!
- Designated space. I don’t think you necessarily need a separate office (although I’m blessed to be able to have one in our current home) but you do need a space that you designate as your workspace / “office.” It’s important that this space be honored and treated as such. For example, my husband knows if he comes home and I’m in my office not to yell up the stairs or anything because chances are high that I’m working and I may be on a call. You need an area where you can focus and concentrate and get stuff done. If you can’t set aside a room, choose a desk in a well lit area (but beware of temperature concerns – my office is upstairs and gets so hot in the summer, I need blackout curtains to keep the sun out + a fan).
- Comfortable chair. One of the best pieces of advice I received from a former boss who had worked from home for years was to invest in a comfortable chair. Since we spend so much time sitting, it is simply clutch. I’m actually thinking about switching to an exercise ball chair but until then, my chair I picked up at Staples is great – arm rests, rolls but not to easily that I move when I don’t want to and it doesn’t hurt my butt.
- The right equipment. I recently switched from using a Chromebook as my main work computer to a mac. The upgrade was solely needed. While I still LOVE my Chromebook the processing system simply couldn’t keep up with me using my computer all day every day. When I switched to the mac, I really felt more in control of my work because I was saving tons of time and frustration from having my computer system not being up to par. Think about what things will make your work life easier (a wireless printer, a wireless keyboard and a wireless mouse to start) and work from there. Set yourself up for success.
- Get out there! For a social person such as myself, getting out of the house is important to me. With my running and Pure Barre addictions, I actually have no trouble in this area. I’m also committed to visiting my old coworkers every month or so for lunch or happy hour. I do a lot of lunch dates. Make sure you aren’t just stuck in your house all day everyday.
- Keep a schedule. This is big. I have a lot of autonomy for work and that requires me to really manage myself. I am the queen of lists. I make a list each weekend of what needs to get done for the week and I put it on my (paper) calendar. It keeps me accountable and helps me plan out my week. I’m lucky that I can do things like go to the grocery store at 10am on a Tuesday – but the flip side is I also find myself often working at 11pm on a Sunday evening. Keeping a schedule helps me know which days I can swing in things like a grocery store visit and the like.
What suggestions would you add to this list?
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Those are such great tips. I actually use a Chromebook right now and am just getting by…I do plan on upgrading soon. Designated space and time is so important…the amount of work I do at 5am holding a baby is just not efficient at all! Lol
Michelle recently posted…Do At Least One Thing Everyday
Ha, I bet! I really like my Mac if you are upgrading. I got the Mac mini which is way cheaper than a laptop!
these are great tips. My hubby works from home when he’s not traveling and we’ve had to compromise on his home office and he hates it. I can’t wait until we build his official office in the den so he can have a dedicated space. It will make such a difference – as you stated above.
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Yes. Dedicated space is important! That will be so nice for your husband!!
Great tips! I love workimg from home 🙂
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Health Coaching at Georgetown, Part II: The Practicum
Thanks – me too! 🙂
It sounds like you have a great strategy for working from home! It makes sense how a schedule and a designated working space would help to keep on track. I often think about how cool it would be to be able to do my job as a therapist from home but then again, I’m not sure having clients come to my home would be a good idea 😉
Angie @ Pace with Grace recently posted…The Comparison Trap
We just signed a contract on a house & the biggest challenge during the entire house hunt was finding a suitable home office for my husband. He’ll be at home working full time and I am home full time homeschooling our daughters. Trying to find enough space, sound proofing, and bright spaces for all of us was so hard!
Teresa C recently posted…Take your Daughter to Work Day! (or BuzzFeed beat me to it…)
I am actually working from home today. I like to have a day like that periodically because I can multitask as the natural ebbs and flows of my attention span occur during the day. It also saves me 2 hours of commuting. I do find that I need to set up somewhere away from my personal computer so I am not tempted by the distractions of social media.
Kelli recently posted…Woman Crush Wednesday – Tanya Logan
I agree with all of these! I also make sure I change clothes and make my bed. Those two things help me transition from pajama sloth to “work mode.” I also invested in an ergonomic keyboard with a detached number pad (so that the keyboard isn’t shifted so far to the right that it interferes with my mouse hand) and a chair with no arms (because I have ape-arms and I realized every chair made me sit with my shoulders scrunched up) — I had to test multiple things to get the set up just right but it was worth it!
DC Dana recently posted…The Deflate Escape
I would think keeping a schedule would be the most important part bc it is so easy to get distracted right. There are lots of benefits to getting to wear yoga pants all day too!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…The Husband Project-Month 2 Update
All good tips! I have been working from home for almost 12 years and couldn’t imagine giving it up. Schedules and setting boundaries (designated space, no work calls during my off hrs, etc) are key!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Running Must Haves
yes!!! i really love working from home and the flexibility it provides. but it does take discipline!
Yes to ALL of those things! I have the added bonus/torture of also having my husband work from home so we work on separate floors of the house to avoid both being on a call at the same time and not being able to hear! Its great this time of year because we both prefer to take calls outside!
ALlie recently posted…Life Before and After Garmin vîvoactive
oh wow – that’s so fun that you both work from home. but yes to the logistical scheduling!
I love the “keep a schedule”. I think that is important for everyone. I’ve found that when working from home, you really need to be on top of your game too. If you don’t put your energy into working and getting things done each day…they don’t get done.
Hollie recently posted…Fall into Training
yes exactly. i set priorities and make sure that those MUST do things get done!
My dream is to be able to have a blogging office where I can really focus away from distraction. I have a Chromebook and I’m thinking I’m due for an upgrade too. I may have to look into the Mac!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…10 Reasons to Love Running in the Fall
Great post and list!
Seriously need to take you up on your idea of a fabulously comfy chair, I need that!!!! I have a chair, but it’s so not comfortable which is why I end up taking my laptop off my desk throwing it on my lap as I prop my self up on the bed and relax. Which is fine, but I know this is probably not great for my back long term:)
I think it is awesome you work from home!
I own my own company so I do work from home about 75% of the time. I will say, your idea about creating a schedule is right on! Most the time I am free to do all my stuff however, I see fit. But and I can’t believe I will admit this, but ya if I get lazy or want to go play all day, when I come home late at night and cram it all in, I do use lists to make sure I get everything done the most efficiently even if it is around midnight when I finish, LOL
A great computer is a MUST I agree! I have to do a lot of online editing and composition when I am pitching idea’s to brides, so I needed a little more than just a notebook, I have an HP it’s got everything I need, and of course a killer speaker beats audio system to listen to when I need to jam, LOL or watch a movie haha.
One thing I try to do, which is difficult at time especially if I am working on brides centerpieces or other projects. I make an attempt to keep all the work stuff together, and done in the same place. Not only for me does it help keep the mess down especially if I have 100’s of flowers all over just waiting to be put together. But it keeps the home life, and the work life separate even if they are both done in the same place:)
Great post, sorry for the novel LOL
Runaway Bridal Planner recently posted…How to Make Sure You Don’t Ruin a Race for Others
Great tips. I would love to transition to teaching a few days and working at home (coaching) a few days eventually.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…How to Grow Your Periscope Following
I also work from home and have been for over 3 years now. You’re totally right on all these points.
I was never a morning exerciser until I started working from home. I always went after work and ran or did classes at the gym. Now, it’s mornings for me. The workout gets me out of the house (either to the gym or well, in my neighborhood running) so it’s almost like a “commute”. Plus I’m forced to shower and get dressed in something that makes me feel good. Working in pajamas, I never get as much done.
The separate space is a good thing. It helps to have an office you can close off when you log off for the end of the day.
Amy Lauren recently posted…Five Reasons to Run the James Island Connector Run (and Discount Code)
Yes, I think the dedicated work space is important so you keep your work from spilling into other parts of your life (which is a challenge.)
Emily recently posted…Saturday Stretching: Why I’m In-flexible
Great tips! I have one dedicated day where I work from home & can do other days as needed. While I have a dedicated office, I usually work either in bed or on the couch. This is because my cats & dog are least likely to bother me if they can be right on or around me. If I try to work at my desk in my office, my cats are all over the keyboard & fight for my lap, and I spend more time dealing with them!
haha, that makes sense. my dog just sits and naps during most of the day, which is really nice!
Love this… curious to know how you went about finding a position. I’ve been on upWork for a while now and have found a few customer service positions through searching. However, I haven’t found anything full-time that would pay the bills.
Thanks!
the work from home aspect of my job is just a bonus – wasn’t something I set out for. Good luck in your search!