There are plenty of opportunities to work from home, but not all are legitimate. Before you take on a new telecommuting gig, please research to ensure it’s a reputable company with a good reputation.
Working from home has become increasingly popular over the past decade. According to a Gallup poll, 43 percent of employed Americans said they worked at least some hours from home in 2016, up from 39 percent in 2012.
There are plenty of reasons why people choose to work from home, including the ability to set their hours, avoid commute traffic, and save on childcare costs.
If you’re considering working from home, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Maintain a consistent morning schedule
That is correct: get up when you usually would, unless you typically wake up at 5 am to travel, which you won’t have to do now! If you sleep in till your first meeting by phone at 9 am takes place from bed, maintaining the same routine helps you avoid feeling sluggish and weary. That’s not a brilliant idea.
A set routine avoids feeling sluggish and exhausted if your first meeting is at 9 am, which you took from bed. That’s not a good idea.
Take a shower before sitting down to work.
Having a shower is one method to help you wake up in the morning. If this is part of your daily routine, stick to it as much as possible when working from home. The only exception is ‘getting ready to commute’ since You’re not going into the office today!
Make your morning coffee and have it ready before you start working.
Coffee addicts know that starting the day without a coffee is nearly impossible. If I don’t have a coffee in hand for my first meeting or email of the day, my brain isn’t fully turned on.
If you want to save money and make incredible coffee at home, there are many ways to do it. You could use a Chemex, pour-over method, or pretty much anything else besides wasteful K-cups. For more ideas on brewing the perfect cup of coffee, check out how we took a coffee brewing class with an experienced instructor here in NYC.
Put on clothes that are not pajamas.
This is a big one for me. It’s tempting to want to lounge around in your pajamas all day, but getting dressed into clothes that are not pajamas helps put you in the right mindset for being productive.
I’m not saying you need to suit up like you’re going into the office, but wearing something other than pajamas will make you feel more awake and ready to work.
Invest in a comfortable office chair
If you spend hours sitting in front of a computer, you might as well be comfortable doing it. Investing in a good office chair is worth the money, trust me.
I’ve had back problems in the past, and a good office chair has made all the difference in the world. I highly recommend spending the extra money on a comfortable chair, especially if you’re working from home for an extended period.
Create a designated space in your home for working
This is especially important if you live in a small space. It’s essential to have a designated area in your home that is just for working. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting distracted by other things in your home.
If you don’t have an extra room that you can turn into a home office, try setting up a space in your living room or bedroom. Just make sure it’s an area you can walk away from at the end of the day so you can relax in the rest of your home.
Make sure your home is well-connected, or work from the part with the best internet connection.
Having a good internet connection is essential if you work from home. If you live in an apartment building, this might mean working from the part of your home that has the best signal. Or, if you have a multi-level home, it might mean setting up your office on the main floor to have a better connection.
In any case, make sure you have a good internet connection before you start working from home. It’s one of the most important things you need for a successful work-from-home experience.
Decide which types of work-from-home products you may need.
Working from home doesn’t mean you need to go out and buy many new products. But a few things can make working from home more comfortable and productive.
If you don’t have a laptop stand, I recommend getting one. It’s been a game-changer for me, especially when working from home. I also use a wireless mouse and keyboard, which are much more comfortable than a trackpad.
If you’re on the phone a lot for work, investing in a good pair of headphones is also a good idea. I use the Bose QuietComfort 35 II noise-canceling headphones, which have significantly impacted my work-from-home experience.
Do a little shopping for products that will enhance working from home.
Consider what items you may quickly buy online to re-create a soothing office environment at home. Everyone has different financial constraints, working space, and design ideas. Because we don’t have much room, this is a list of other things that help us work more efficiently for us.
- Dan uses an iPad as a backup display. It’s simply an iPad that isn’t used as a second screen. We’ll utilize the iPad for watching videos and other iPad-y activities.
- We need to be hydrated to work, and we couldn’t do that without our SodaStream. It’s a must-have for us.
- If you find it difficult to keep house plants alive, opt for some fake ones instead! Not only will they brighten up your work-from-home office space, but you won’t have to worry about caring for them.
Minimize distractions while working from home
One of the challenges of working from home is dealing with distractions. Whether it’s your kids, your pets, or just the general noise of your home, it can be tough to stay focused when trying to work.
You can do a few things to minimize distractions while working from home. If you have kids, try to set up a space for them to play in another room, so they’re not right next to you while you’re working. If you have pets, see if you can get them their own space in the house where they can’t bother you while you’re trying to work.
And finally, try to set up your workspace in a quiet area of your home if possible. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting distracted by other things in your home.
Figure out how you’ll take your ‘lunch break’
When working from home, it can be easy to forget to take a break for lunch. But it’s essential to take a break during the day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
You can do a few things to make sure you take a break for lunch:
- Try to set the alarm on your phone or computer to remind you when it’s time for lunch.
- Ensure a healthy lunch is prepared so you’re not tempted to skip it.
- Step away from your workspace during lunch so you can take a break and relax for a few minutes.
Set aside scheduled snack times
Remembering to take a break when working from home can be challenging. One way to make sure you take a break is to schedule regular snack times. This will allow you to step away from your work and clear your head for a few minutes.
And if you’re feeling ambitious, you could even try scheduling some other activities during your snack times. For example, you could use your break to go for a walk, call a friend, or even get up and stretch.
The important thing is to make sure you take a break to return to work refreshed and ready to focus.
Conclusion
Working from home can be a great experience if you take the time to set up your space and schedule in a way that works for you. By following the tips above, you can ensure a productive and enjoyable work-from-home experience.
