A few years ago, working from home was frowned upon. It was an option only for briefcase consultants (in other words the unemployed) or struggling startup entrepreneurs. Our recent experiences with Covid and other health concerns have turned the tables and our perspective on pertinent issues including working from home. Today it is the better option if you want is more preferable for most as it not only gives one flexibility but reduces exposure to communicable disease, helps cut down travel time and costs as well as reduces stress caused by unnecessary interactions. However, it can be lonely and if you are not used to your own company, or are an extrovert can be quite frustrating, lead to depression and make you unproductive.
In this article we look at ta few things you can do to help you achieve more and balance your personal and work life as and you work from home.
There is a massive debate about whether or not working from home makes you less productive or not. Granted it requires innate motivation and a dedicated environment to accomplish your tasks efficiently. However different people have different requirements to be effective and efficient. Whatever you need to put inplace the end should result in results – no excuses.
1. Understand Yourself
You may be the kind of person that works well in their comfort zone; you become more creative. But you could also be the kind of person who being in your comfort zone makes for all kinds of distraction be it the temptation to watch a movie, food or just checking on what your little ones are upto. Understanding what kind of person you are will determine how your home office should be.
If you are easily distracted it would be wise to not only set aside work time but also set your offcie away from the rest of the family and living environment as much as possible.
Understanding yourself requires that you not only know how you work but how changes affect your performance. This means you can get the appropriate help as wand when you need it.
2. Have Daily Schedule & Diary:
Otherwise, you can get in trouble enjoying being at home and forgetting deadlines and events. Having a schedule of activities ensures nothing is missed and you know ahead of time what is to be done.
Putting things in your schedule and Diary is just not enough. Management of a schedule requires that you are clear about how much time each activity will take and in case of documents how long it will take to come up with them. All this should be put in the schedule and time blocked out to do the work. If you do not do this you will underestimate what is required you.
Depending on the kind of person you are doing this also helps you put in blocks of time where you can take a break and do things for or with your loved ones e.g. check on the kids.
3. Build A Routine/Ritual:
Having a routine ensures everyone is clear about what to expect from you. It reduces disagreements and this is most important if you are the focus of your family e.g. mom or dad and everyones schedule is pegged around yours. It also ma kes it easy to adjust a few things when a member of the family needs more from you.
Having a routine also helps you prepare for the day, week or month and makes it possible to have a flow in the way things are set and arranged not only in your office but in your home thus reducing confusion or loosing things.If you set a routine to check your email only three times a day, it stops yypu from from checking any other time and you have more time to do other work unless your work is looking and replying to client emails. It also means you do not miss out on emails because you have taken too long before checking.
4. Manage Your Digital life:
Closly linked to previous points but this refers more to managing your subscriptions. If you get a lot of spam mail or are subscribed to too many things than you will spend more time managing all this information coming in. The easiest way to manage unwanted communication is to brutally unsubscribe, delete, and block. Anything really important will find its way to you without spamming your life. If necessary you may have to change your number to avoid spam calls but whatever you do do not entertain it as it eats up into your time.
5. Take a Break:
Your body needs movement for proper blood circulation. Fresh air, natural light, and few steps outside before and after working hours are crucial for good health.
You can go to cafes, parks or opt for co-working spaces to break up a daily routine pattern. There are numerous places today where you can pay to use a few times a week and these provide you with the opportunity to work from a different environment.
And finally a bonus tip
6. Know Where To Get Support (and use it!)
Whether it is support to do someshopping or a little help in finishing the graphics on your presentation. Do not tbe shy getting help either from family or work websites like fiverr. The goal remember is to get work done and good work at that.
Final Words:
Working from home is a great idea. It can unveil a different version of you, help you understand yourself better, and learn how to achieve more without the influence of others around you. It also gives you the opportunity to cut travel time and be with your loved ones
