I’ve always been one of those people who liked the idea of being able to work from home. But, I also thought I would love being a runner, and we all know how that turned out. Unfortunately, like running, working form home isn’t something that comes naturally to me.
I know what you’re thinking, why not just go a coffee shop or a library or some other place where people go to be productive? Well, one reason is that some of the stuff I have to do, like cooking and taking pictures for the blog, requires me to be at home. And the other reason, as I mentioned in my post on staying active in the fall, is that I just plain hate going outside when it’s cold. Anyway, the point is that I’ve had no choice but to learn to work from home effectively, and today, I wanted to share a few things that worked for me.
1. Set ‘office hours’
It’s a lot easier to get up in the morning when you have to get to the office or to school for a specific time, than it is when you know you can work at your own schedule. So, to avoid putting off your work and procrastinating the day away, make a schedule for yourself and stick to it. It’s also important to let family members or roommates know when you’ll be working. Not only will it keep you accountable, but they’ll know not to interrupt you when you’re trying to get stuff done.
BONUS: If you get your best work done in the morning, like I do, check out my 9 tips for crushing your mornings.
2. Get dressed
I know that spending all day in pyjamas is a huge draw of working from home. But, please, resist the temptation. If I don’t get out of my pjs when I start doing work in the morning, chances are, I’ll be back in bed before noon. So, do yourself a favour, and get dressed for a day of work. I’m not saying you have to put on a full face of make up and the most powerful power suit you’ve ever owned. But, even just throwing on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt can make a huge difference.
3. Pack a lunch bag
This may seem like a weird thing to do while you’re home, but trust me, there’s a method to my madness. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve planned to spend all day doing something work related, only to end up in the kitchen making lunch and get completely sidetracked. So, planning ahead and having meals and snacks prepped for your work/study sesh is key. Heck, even running out for lunch when you get hungry can be less distracting than attempting to make something from scratch when you should be working.
BONUS: These 5 healthy snacking essentials have fuelled me through loads of study sessions and working days.
4. Set up an ‘office’
Even if it’s just a desk and chair in your room, it’s important to have a dedicated work area if you want to actually work from home effectively. For the last 4 years, I’ve shared an apartment or house with at least 3 other people so it hasn’t always been easy for me to do this. But, when I am able to manage it, working and studying from home have been a lot easier than when I attempt (and fail) to work from my bed.
5. Focus
It can be so easy to get distracted by things you have to do around the house when you work from home. Maybe there are dishes in the sink, or you need to do laundry, or you suddenly decide you MUST repaint your bedroom. The distractions are varied and they can feel so urgent. But, right now, your work is what’s important. Once you get that out of the way, you can get started on the million and fifteen other things demanding your attention.
BONUS: If you need help focusing, these 4 apps can help you stay organized and productive.
What about you?
- Do you work from home or have you ever?
- How do/did you stay productive and actually work from home effectively?
Share in the comments below!
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The most difficult thing that I have found, since I’ve been working from home for the summer, is making my husband understand that this is work time. He’s happy I’m home, so he wants my attention, or me to go with him if he goes out, and he gets a little hurt if I say no. Plus my own instinct is to go with him, so I have to fight that too. It’s been a challenge. Great ideas though. I do most of those because they really get you into “work mode.”
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I know exactly what you mean. Most of my friends don’t really understand what why I need to block out time for blogging and social media so they’re always trying to convince me to hang out, JUST when I’ve finally decided to be productive. It’s definitely hard to say no sometimes!
I actually follow a lot of your tips! One thing that also helps me is to schedule a “lunch break” and a “coffee break” like I would if I was working from an office. I feel like it helps me to stay focused knowing that I will get a break. Since I live with other people too, I find that I sometimes need to remind them that I am working, otherwise they’ll try to ask me a quick question or something which can be distracting.
Breaks are super important for sure! Even when I’m working out of an office, I like to take breaks every half an hour or so, even if it’s just a quick walk down the hall or looking out my window. Definitely helps the creative juices flow!
Such a great post! For so many years I would just set up my laptop anywhere and work and always felt frustrated for not having a set up and never felt like I was treating my coaching business like a job. I now have an office area with office hours and even a lunch break set up, I literally treat my space like an actual office and I have been able to get more done because of it! Thanks for sharing xo C
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So happy to hear that Courtney! Right now I’m working out of a desk in my room and it’s definitely not at effective as having having a space outside the bedroom, but it does make a difference 😀
Ive done it for over 17 years….so much so I think now Id get really distracted at an OFFICE!!!
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haha my mother says the same thing! She’s been a consultant for a couple years now and this year she got a contract that required her to go into an office for a couple days a week. She found it so hard to readjust in the beginning.
Ah yea, getting dressing and packing a lunch, even a whole bag with “work” essentials and literally bringing it to your “office” is such a good way to simulate and tell your mind…it’s time for business!
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Yep! When I was in school and studying, I would pack my backpack with the essentials and take it out to the living room to work. That way I’d have no reason to go into my room and get distracted by the bed (aka take a nap). I definitely helped!
Ahh working from home is super difficult for me, especially because i have a cat that loves to meow and watch me move around the apartment. do you have a tip for that?! haha. i definitely think setting up an ‘office’ is the way to go! makes you feel like you’re actually at work rather than lounging comfortably on the couch
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haha not yet, but you’ll be the first to know if I come up with one!
I agree with many of your points. Setting hours and having an office space are key.
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These are all such great tips. The biggest thing for me is getting out of my pajamas and putting on everyday clothes. It gets me motivated and keeps me away from my bed!
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Agreed! I have so much trouble not going back to bed after breakfast. Even when I say I’m going to ‘work’ I always end up taking a nap haha
It’s really great post! More than 10 percent of U.S. employees now regularly work from home, according to a survey by Stanford University. Although there are some who find they are more productive when working from home, “losing the structure provided by a regular office job can be detrimental to success
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wow! thanks… i work from home, and honestly, i have huge problems with motivation…
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I think there should be a proper room where you have to make the office room or cabin place things that room looks like an office room environment and you have to site there do your work from home. Where you can focus easily and work more effectively. It is just like Office simulation in Home.
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