Working from home is becoming more and more common as technology develops and as many jobs can be done entirely online.
As of June 2017, according to Global Workplace Analytics, “Fortune 1000 companies around the globe are entirely revamping their space around the fact that employees are already mobile. Regular work-at-home, among the non-self-employed population, has grown by 115% since 2005, nearly 10x faster than the rest of the workforce.”
I work from home and thought that I could share some tips on how to be the most productive and what has worked for my coworkers and me.
Dress the Part
As silly as this sounds, it works. I have found that dressing like I’m going to an office with coworkers helps me get into a productive mindset. If I sit around in my pajamas all day, I feel too comfortable, and it would be too easy to just start lounging. Lounging leads to napping, and that would never happen at the office! Wearing business casual clothes reminds me that I am working and am a professional. Dress how you want to be addressed, even if no one can see you.
Go Out After Work
Personally, I love being alone. However, whether you do or don’t, it’s healthy to be around other people and have in-person human interaction. When you’ve just spent the last 8 hours alone, you should socialize a bit. I’m not saying you need to be a social butterfly, but at least immerse yourself into society for a couple of hours, so you don’t go stir crazy at home.
Get into a Routine
This is so key. Getting into a routine is what builds self-discipline and solid time management. Since your boss isn’t looking over your shoulder, it is up to you to stay on task and meet deadlines. A routine will give you structure that an office normally would. It might be having consistent start and end times, going to a cafe, or doing specific tasks at the same time daily. Find something that works for you, and stick to it.
Stay Off Social Media
Social media can be tempting when you work from home. Who would know if you scrolled through Instagram while working? This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but all the “quick” Snapchats, answering of notifications, and tweeting can add up to a lot of wasted time. Additionally, studies show it’s difficult for your brain to jump back and forth between tasks. The more you distract yourself with social media, the tougher it will be to get back to working productively.
Join a Coworking Space
A coworking space may not be for everyone, but it’s a great option because it gives you an office to go to, a community of other individuals like yourself, and other fun perks. You can count on a coworking space to have reliable wifi, meeting rooms, and coffee, among other office necessities. In addition, they will often have events like happy hours, free food (maybe even free beer!), and comfortable spots like bean bag chairs. Coworking spaces are an excellent option if you enjoy being around others and prefer a designated office-type environment.
If you have other tips or tricks for working virtually, comment below!
