8 tips to keep you focused and in touch

 

 

 

 

It’s a tempting prospect and the perks of working from home come in many shapes and sizes; flexibility, limited interruptions or distractions and improved productivity.On the flipside, if you list the advantages of remote working as serious pyjama time, typing in bed, unlimited access to your favourite snacks – then working from home is probably not for you.Discipline and structure are key to successfully working from home.  If you’re easily distracted, have a tendency to be sidetracked by solitaire or thrive on the company and energy of people around you working from home can be a challenge.  But don’t despair, all hope is not lost.To help you keep focused and in touch while working from home, here’s our top tips for increased productivity and efficiency;

Have your own space

Keep your workspace separate from everything else. Try and have a dedicated area in your home that’s specifically for your work and is off limits to everyone else (including the dog). Make sure your workspace is comfy, cosy and away from distractions. More importantly, make sure it’s professional, tidy and organised.Top tip: Use Pinterest to get some great home office inspiration (out of working hours of course).

Make your own hours

...and stick to them. Nine to five is all well and good but only if it suits you. Think about your schedule – no point starting at 6am if you’ve got to start the school run at 7am. Likewise – think about your productivity. People typically fall into two categories; a lark (early riser) or an owl (late sleeper). If you’re more alert at a certain time of day, play to your strengths.Top tip: Work to your client’s needs and use their hours as a guide for yours.

Establish a routine

Have a list of things you need to get done each day, from making calls to doing your paperwork to making a cup of coffee at 10.30. Having a timetable will give you a sense of purpose and make sure you don’t overlook or worse, forget any of your tasks.Top tip: Having a constant reminder of what you’re supposed to do will keep you on your toes.

Take a break

Working from home is exactly what it says on the tin – working. But keep in mind when working in an office you’re entitled to time off, and this doesn’t change just because you’re at home. Give yourself moments throughout the day to relax. Signs to look out for that you need a beak include; poor concentration, lack of enthusiasm and irritability. Limit your breaks to coincide with a standard office day reinforcing the structure so often associated with an office environment.Top tip: Get out the house, break up the day with meetings or time spent at clients sites, lunches, conferences etc

Lay down the rules

There can be a preconception from loved ones/house mates/ friends and often colleagues that people who work from home will also find the time to sort out the ironing, dirty dishes and dinner. This is not the case. Let people know that you’re working an 8 hour day, same as anyone else.Top tip: Make sure the immediate and quickly remedied distractions are out of the way before you officially start your day job. Any distraction, no matter how menial, has a tendency to creep up on you.

There is no such thing as “five minutes of TV”

Don’t kid yourself that you’ll successfully turn the TV off after five minutes and get back to work. This takes another level of commitment.Get rid of any distractions and ban yourself from all home activities until you’ve tackled your work load and can honestly say you’ve had a productive day.Top tip: Don’t turn on the television. It’s that simple. Instead opt for music in the background which gives the illusion of being around other people without the distractions.

Keep connected

There is a bit of a taboo around working from home in that it can be a tad lonely. Lack of teamwork and contact with your colleagues can seem like a big hole in your working life which is why you need to combat it head on by staying connected at all times; Join communities and forums, go to networking events and make sure you’re supported.Top tip: If you can’t get out and meet clients/colleagues use skype, nothing beats the face to face factor.

Ditch the guilt

There’s no need to feel guilty that you have an opportunity not many others have to work from home. Just because you don’t have to tackle the daily commute, or expense of working in the city doesn’t mean you don’t work just as hard as you would in an office.

Top tip: Co