When you start working from home, you’ll probably find you get your usual work done in around half the time it used to take you in a traditional office setting. But don’t slack off! Working from home is a privilege that requires additional responsibility, much like when you start working as your own boss.
When Working from Home, You Have to Over-Perform
If you do still have a boss, they’re going to be second-guessing whether you’re working hard when not under their beady eye. When working from home, you’re going to need to keep over-performing to prove that it’s a system that works well for you.
Luckily, working from home gives you so much more time to get things completed as you no longer have commute times, you don’t need to spend 45 minutes heading to the sandwich shop and back, and you don’t have all of the usual office distractions to contend with.
Embrace the Freedom of Working from Home
Now, one of the great things about being an entrepreneur who can work from home is individual freedom.
Not every work from home tip will work for you and you don’t want to completely give up all the versatility working from home gives you, so pick and choose what works for you.
Most tips for working from home successfully replicate the traditional office environment in your home. This can help you to remain focused and remind you that work comes first.
Set Alarms
I recommend setting several alarms to keep your workday organized. Even if you don’t really need to get up at 7 am and start the day at 9 am, if you don’t follow a strict morning and evening routine then you can find your days drift.
You know that if you procrastinate now that you can make up the time later, right? Wrong! This leads to you working longer hours while getting less done. The next day you’ll be more tired and less able to concentrate on your work.
Instead, set yourself clear time restraints and make each day follow the same general pattern.
Work in Your Dedicated Office
Have a dedicated home office space that’s for work alone. In this space, there are no other distractions or temptations. Remind your family that when you’re in your workspace you are not to be disturbed.
Quickly, you’ll find that your restless mind will fall in line when you’re in your dedicated space and you’ll be able to concentrate for much longer periods.
Stay Organized
One thing that smart and talented entrepreneurs struggle to get right is staying organized. They’ve got so much they want to do and so many ideas that need to come to fruition but they have a hard time organizing their priorities, especially when offered the additional freedom that working from home gives.
At the start of every hour, each day, and each week, assess what your priorities are and how you’re going to achieve your goals as quickly as possible. Stay organized and you’ll find you can accomplish two or three times what you’d normally be able to do in a day.
Dress for the Occasion
A lot of people, myself included, find that they’re more serious about their work if they dress smartly. You don’t need to be sitting in your home office in a full suit and tie, but you shouldn’t be slobbing it unshaven in an old t-shirt.
For me, dressing professionally somehow tricks my mind into believing I am in fact more professional than I really am, allowing me to get more work done!
Use Gamification in Your Work
When faced those inevitable tasks that take ages and you avoid like the plague, try to make them into a game.
Apps exist to help you motivate yourself to complete these more mundane tasks. For example, 4thewords is a lighthearted role-playing game for writers where you progress your character by completing a certain number of words in a set time.
Consider creating your own mini-games to keep yourself working hard, rewarding yourself with a small prize if you complete each task on time.
Working from home puts the power to succeed squarely in your hands, so make sure you’re making the most of your time instead of squandering it.