Remote Work is on the Rise; Here’s How to do it Well
When asked the question, “If you could change one thing about your life right now, what would it be?” many people would answer something along the lines of, “I wish I had more time.”
And right now you’re nodding your head in agreement…especially if you have kids. For parents, there’s one thing most of us can agree on–there just never seems to be enough time. From rush hour traffic to little league practice, we’re on the go from dawn to dusk and super exhausted from it all. Isn’t there a way to add a little time to our days?
Luckily, there’s a ton of information out there to help you organize your life and get more done each day. But if you’re looking to save a pretty substantial chunk of time, then working from home just might be the answer. Working from home? Yes, you heard us right. Remote work is on the rise and and has plenty of benefits for those that take the plunge, time-savings being one of the biggest. Imagine how much more time you’d have if you didn’t have to make the drive to and from the office five days a week…Plus you have the option to stay in your pajamas all day. Sa-weet!
But along with the pros come a few life adjustments and here are several myheartcreative approved tips to better arm yourself with before you make the decision:
A Room of Your Own
How hard would it be to design a website or even have a phone conversation while your two year-old is running around, playing dinosaur? A top rule of working from home is having a space separate from the rest of the house, designated for your work. A room with a door is best, but at least a quiet nook is necessary for your concentration. And we all know work is basically impossible to focus on if you’re trying to do it in the middle of the living room, turned playroom.
Prioritize
Work smarter, not harder. It’s essential to prioritize your daily tasks in order to get things done. Figure out what things need to happen in what order, make a list and start at the top. This is true of any job, but one tricky aspect of working from home is not being sidetracked by any number of things that need to be done around the house. How can you formulate an Excel spreadsheet when there’s a huge pile of dirty clothes beckoning from the laundry room? It would only take a few minutes to sort them and start a load…
Trust us, don’t go there. A few minutes here and there really add up over time, which is why it’s essential to make that list every day. Schedule your laundry time during breaks or in the evening. If you’ve already designated a time slot for it, you’ll be less tempted to pause your work day for it.
Keep a Calendar
Along with a prioritized to-do list, a calendar can be a life saver for those that work from home. Whether digital or on paper, keeping a calendar will help keep you on track. You can color-code events to distinguish between family and work obligation and set reminders for important meetings, phone calls and deadlines. It’s a good idea to make those a nice, vibrant color that stands out from the rest.
Treat It Like a Traditional Job
Set a routine and stick with it. Whether you “clock in” or not, start at the same time each day. Take regular breaks and work until the same time each day. If you want to be consistent with your productivity, it’s essential to treat it as you would a job where you have to go into the office everyday. And it’s particularly important to set boundaries with others. Let family, friends and neighbors know working from home is no different than any other job and you’ll be unavailable during the hours you set to work.
Know When to Switch Gears
Especially if you have a family, unplug at the end of a traditional work day so you can spend ample time with them. It can be tempting to spend some extra time “at the office” in the evenings, but burning the midnight oil on a regular basis blurs the line between work and your home life, making it harder to successfully work from home.
Regardless of your profession, making the choice to work from home can work very well for the right person. And with more and more companies offering remote positions, now is a good time to switch things up.
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