Since we’re all #stayingathome at the moment, this might be the first time you’ve worked from home.
As a freelance social media manager, I work from home all the time. So, in many ways, not much has changed in our current situation, except now the rest of the family is at home too!
If you’ve not worked from home before, it can be a challenge. You might find it difficult to stay motivated. You might find it difficult to switch off.
Here are my 5 top tips for working from home. Let me know if they help you!
1. Make space
Whether it’s the spare room, a corner of the kitchen, or the garden shed, you need to claim some space to work. Ideally, try and find a place where you can leave out the things you need, so you don’t waste time setting up before you start work. Ban other family members from dumping stuff on your desk!
Think about your posture too. A sore back or neck doesn’t with productivity.
2. Get dressed
We’ve all been there - you realise you’re sat at your desk in your PJs and it’s nearly lunchtime! You’ll feel more focussed if you get dressed, ready to start your day.
Bonus - you can probably skip the make-up and keep your slippers on!
3. Make a plan
If you’re juggling home schooling, meal times, daily exercise, and entertaining the kids as well as work, it can feel overwhelming. You can feel as though you’ve achieved nothing at all.
I find it really helps if I make a plan, so I decide when I’m going to work, and when I’m not. It also works well if I write down what I want to achieve during the day, and when I’m going to do each task.
Be realistic, and tick off each task as you go.
4. Set Boundaries
This is a tricky one when you’re working from home. It’s just too easy to drift back to your laptop to check on emails, or to finish something. You can get to the end of the day and feel all you’ve done is work!
This is especially difficult when the kids are at home, because you feel guilty about not spending time with them.
Set yourself clear boundaries. Decide what time you’re going to stop work, then turn off the lap top or put the phone away.
5. Celebrate your wins
At the end of the week I check in with my accountability buddies and we share our successes. Big or small, it’s important to take time to reflect on what you’ve achieved - so try setting up a WhatsApp group with your colleagues or friends so you can check in and share your progress.
When you’re working at home this can really help you stay motivated.
There are lots of things I love about working from home, like taking my coffee into the garden, and setting my own routine. But it can be tricky too. Let me know if these tips help you.
What has helped you with working from home?