How to Work from Home and some of my Top Tips!

So my partner and I have been working from home together for just coming up to 1 year and 6 months! Working from home is great right up until the dog throws up on your computer. And your neighbour starts firing up all sorts of power tools and noisy machinery across the street just as your Zoom meeting is about to start. 

For many people, working from home every once in a while is a luxury. I remember being in my 9-5 and working in an office and dreamt of working from home. But which environment actually allows us to be more productive: the home office or the office office?

In the office office, your colleagues are the only threat to keeping you from getting some work done. They drop by your desk, engage you in conversation, and invite you to lunch. The social benefits of a workplace are definitely nice to have, but they can become a challenge if you’re easily distracted. Having the sociable aspect of an office and the friendships you make are something that I miss. 

At the home office, however, I find that it’s easy for you to become your own worst enemy.  You just can’t help yourself. Because when you’re not surrounded by colleagues, you’re free to do what you wish. At the home office, no one’s watching. You don’t necessarily feel that same pressure to get stuff done. Also, you can wear pyjamas all day! What’s not to like. 

Here are 5 of my top tips for working from home:

Start Early

When working in an office, your morning commute can help you wake up and feel ready to work by the time you get to your desk. At home, however, the transition from your pillow to your computer can be much more difficult.

Something I do, which may not work for everyone is to start your to-do list as soon as you wake up, this may not work for everyone. Getting a task started first thing in the morning can be the key to making progress on it gradually throughout the day. Otherwise, you’ll prolong breakfast and let the morning sluggishness wear away your motivation, as we all know how easy it is to allow ourselves an extra 5 minutes in bed. 

Structure your day as you would if you were at your office 

The mental association you make between work and an office can make you more productive, and there’s no reason that feeling should be lost when working from home.

When working from home, do all the things you’d do to prepare for a day in the office: Set your alarm, make your drink, and wear nice clothes.

Choose a dedicated work space

Just because you’re not working at an office doesn’t mean you can’t, well, have an office. Rather than staying up in your room or on the sofa. Dedicate a space for work. I am fortunate enough to have a spare room in our house that we use as our study however anywhere other than the places you use to relax are a good start! 

Structure your day as you would in the office 

When working from home, you’re your own manager. Without things like a meeting schedule to break up your day, you can be quick to lose focus or get bored. 

To stay on schedule, schedule what you’ll do and when. If you have an online calendar, create personal events and reminders that tell you when to start on new tasks. 

Last but not least, one of my favourites Coronavirus permitting, don’t stay at home 

My personal favourite. Take working from home a step further and get out of the house. Coffee shops, libraries, pub, and similar spaces can help you create the energy of an office so you can stay productive even when you don’t sit in an official workplace. I love just going to my local cafe with my laptop and getting stuff done.

I hope this has helped anyone who is currently working from home and given people some inspiration.

Bye for now Xx