In the short term, this is fairly easy but as the days, weeks, months and years go by, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain discipline when working alone.
It's one thing to choose to start a business and/or work from home but these days people are forced to do it and it's not as easy as one might think. Especially now, given the constant onslaught of fear over illness concerns which is a distraction and creates unneeded stress.
Some of the pitfalls of working from home include:
--Working from home is like the difference between grade school and college -- while you are forced to go to grade school; at college you're on your own to attend classes and will suffer the consequences should you opt not to go.
Likewise, if you don't tend to your work during work hours you could find yourself without a job at all
--If you're an extrovert you may find yourself becoming despondent from lack of interpersonal social interaction.
--Loss of enthusiasm, passion and productivity in your current job -- it's just a fact that working by yourself requires a serious commitment to the tasks at hand and it's easy for your interest to wane. If you only liked your job so-so before the stay at home order, you might find the job unbearable now.
--Opting for a lack of professionalism. Celebrating working in your pajamas or treating 'casual Friday' as a no-bra, no pants day is rarely recommended
So how can one work from home, be productive, find some balance and still stay 'at the ready' for returning to their normal work routine? Here are my top 5 tips for staying productive when working from home:
1. Get up at the same time every morning!
Continue your normal go to work routine. Not only will it help you feel like you're going to work, but it will make returning to your regular routine easier when you do go back.
2. Get DRESSED and, if you wear makeup, put it on!
At first, most people who suddenly find themselves working from home are like YEEHAW!! I can wear pajamas to work! Yes, you can, but should you?
The real key to working from home is developing and maintaining a work mindset. You have to feel like you're at work. Sitting around in your pj's all day, as tempting and comfortable as that is, does not put you in a work frame of mind.
Plus, getting showered, dressed and ready to go makes you feel good! It really does. So ok, I don't want to sound like an ogre. If you must wear pajamas one day, go ahead but please don't make a habit of it.
3. Set up a dedicated work space.
It doesn't have to be a separate room but if you have one, use it! If not, carve out a space that is a specific 'work' area and dedicate it until all this passes.
Yes, you can sit with a laptop and be comfortable on the sofa, but that is not a work environment. That's where you sit after work, scrolling through social media, shopping, playing games.
Believe me; trying to work from the sofa is a recipe for disaster. Slowly but surely your brain will fall back into scrolling. It can't be helped! It's like muscle memory and the couch tells your brain 'surf the internet'.
4. TURN OFF THE TV.
You don't have a television at work, do you? Then you should not have one on at home either. Work time is for work time. I know that sounds obvious but you'd be surprised how many people have background noise 24-7 and suddenly find themselves caught up in a series of home remodeling shows (or fishing or motorcycles or whatever) or a rerun of Friends.
5. Likewise, clear out distractions.
Work time is not the time to do laundry, prep dinner, make non-work phone calls, Facetime your buddies, shop, or anything else that takes you away from your work tasks.
Remember, if you can't do it when you're at work, you shouldn't at home while working either.
I know, it's going to be tough if you have kids at home because everyone is bored and they might look to you for entertainment. I have no magic bullet for this. If you're fortunate enough that your work can be split into two shifts, then perhaps you can spend the middle part of the day with your family.
The trick to being productive when working from home depends on convincing your brain you are at work and finding ways to stay focused! As I stated before, I have been working from home for the last 15 years.
Being successful at working from home means you must have some discipline to keep moving forward and to be productive.
I've always had a separate work space and take advantage of the entrepreneur's mantra 'I can work any 16 hours of the day I want' but it wasn't until I converted a bedroom into a real office space did I feel like I was actually going to work and when I walk out of that room at the end of the day, I truly feel like I've left work.
Your mind is your strongest weapon. Treat your work time like work time and you'll get through this just fine. Hopefully it won't be much longer.
Some of your company's may decide that working from home is a cost effective alternative to paying for an office space and then opt to continue indefinitely.
So learn these tips and trust them. You too can do this. Try not to buy into the fear, take the proper precautions and enjoy the time you have at home with your family.
Don't forget, Executive Errands® is shopping and running errands for Free until April 30th for those who don't want to risk going out. Let us help you!
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