Working from home (or anywhere that’s not the office) can seem like a dream. You don’t have to get dressed, and you can sleep in! While that might be nice at first, it doesn’t necessarily help you get your work done. Here are some tips to make sure that working from home works for you and your employer.
Get Dressed
While staying in your comfortable, soft pajamas all day might seem enticing, it is also detrimental to your productivity. Instead, get dressed in the morning, no matter what your plans are or how much work you have. Also, take a shower, brush your hair, and try to look put together like you would if you were going to work. Remember that you don’t have to dress up in formal attire, but just changing into new clothes can help change your mindset and make you more productive.
Have a Designated Workspace
Most people who work from home do not have a dedicated office space. It’s common to share your space with your partner and kids. However, it’s incredibly important to have a workspace free of distractions. Like any space that you use every day, make this designated space feel clean, organized, and efficient. You may be working in the same leggings you wore to bed, but sitting in a designated space helps your mental state and separates work from home life.
Set Your Work Hours
In order to keep a consistent schedule, set working hours for yourself and stick to them. This will help you maintain a consistent rhythm, so you can be most productive during the workday and make sure that you’re giving your full attention to work and family when it’s time.
Ease yourself into the workday
Having a morning as well as an evening routine is important for building transitions into and out of work. For example, if you used to listen to podcasts on your commute – continue to do the same at home and carve out equivalent routines to help ease into your workday. At the end of the day, give yourself something that will signal the end of your work and serve as a buffer.
