I am working from home and so are many of you. Not always easy, isn't it? Difficult to have a balanced life and stay motivated at times:)So I've put together the best tips I’ve found to stay productive, zen and sane while working from home:) I even printed them out and keep them handy-they do put me back on track sometimes. Hope they can help you as well!
1) Very first thing, always say you work “from” home and not work “at” home. See, hear and feel the difference? Working at home may lead people to think you are available to pick the neighbors kids from school at the end of the afternoon or that friends are welcome any time to chat and have coffee with you.
2) Define your spaces and separate work from home. Have a room or defined space dedicated to working. Don’t do it wherever you happen to be. Set aside some space, preferably a room (it doesn’t have to be big, see here ) to be your workspace. That way, when you enter it, you know consciously what you’re there to do: go to work. It changes the state of mind from “I’m at home” to “I’m at work”.
3) Set up a functional workspace. This is critical to the success of your business. Make sure it contains all the necessary equipment that you need, and why not a wall calendar to write your goals and things to achieve (ex: Erasable wall calendar or Printable organizers). Decorate your workspace so that it is aesthetically appealing and try to keep distractions to a minimum!
4) Set regular hours and stick to the schedule (don’t stay in your pj - get dressed!)
5) Set online times. You don’t always need to be accessible for chit chat, check if you made a new sale in the last 3 minutes, peak in the forums to see what’s new, watch if you’ve been retweeted or if someone new wants to be your friend on Facebook. These are the worst time eaters. So plan you online time and no turning on the computer for a quick email check!
6) Keep three lists of three. The first list has three things you will do today (avoid putting 15 items on there!). The second is three things you’d like to get done, but aren’t essential. The third is three things that need to be done at some point. That way, when you’ve trogged through your days work, you don’t end up sitting twiddling your thumbs and it will help you prioritize:)
7) Give yourself breaks and have a good lunch. Don’t be locked in the room all the time. For every hour you work, have a 10 minute break. Give your mind time to digest what it’s just done, then come back. You’ll improve the quality of what you produce a hundredfold. And lunch will give you good energy for the second part of the day.
8) Set boundaries. Close the door. Make it clear to your family and friends that you are working. It may be hard in the beginning but make it clear that you are unavailable at certain times. You’ll never accomplish what’s on your schedule if you’re constantly disrupted. Speaking of which, it might be a good idea to turn off the telephone, e-mail notifications and TV when at work.
9) Try to set certain days and times for certain work. For example: file everything on Friday afternoon, check emails at 9, 11:30, 2 and 4:30. Plan your week ahead on Friday and block time for any virtual lab, study or specific project. This way you can work around these big chunks of scheduled time and will allow you to block time to create. It will also allow you to walk out of your office for your evening and week-end to your family and activities without feeling like you left work unfinished.
10) Keep your desk and general work area tidy. A tidy workspace helps keep a tidy mind, which helps make your day more productive. Need help? Here are some tips to help you unclutter your work area and keep it clean , get rid of bunch of papers and tips to stay motivated.
11) Say thank you and be grateful. I know I said 10 tips, but Hey! You’re working from home! We should say thank you for that everyday!
If you'd like to add any other tip that works for you, please do in the comments below!
Have a great week,
Patricia Wood
VerreDesign
thank you for all of the great working from home tips. love the list of three idea. thanks!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh I love this! Finally a list I can commit to. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tips. I am terrible at separating my spaces. Terrible. I am going to aim higher this week thanks to you :)
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see all these tips in one clear, cohesive spot! Thank you for taking the time to share it all. Now only to move to a place with an actual extra room with a door (my studio is currently in the kitchen)!
ReplyDeleteGreat article! Love the idea of the lists. I definitely need to try that. I have a hard time with the keeping tidy bit, though!
ReplyDeleteI shared your great list with my readers at Etsy Interviews:
http://etsyinterviews.blogspot.com/2010/02/friendly-advice-stay-happy-productive.html
THANKS!
thanks! I appreciate your tips! :)
ReplyDeletehello! and thank you, very interesting. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, now when you stay out of Pj's its into my cosy tracksuit right?! :)
ReplyDeleteWow! That is a super helpful list! (waiting for kids to grow up so I can have one of their rooms, lol)
ReplyDeleteI've felt some of these truisms for a while now, but to see it in writing from another crafty person is so helpful. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteVery helpful. I really like the three lists of three :) Going to start doing that! Thanks!
ReplyDeletegreat tips and just what I need to make 2010 the year I get down to serious business! Your lists tip is good because I tend to list every single thought I have... keeping it to 3 will be a big help!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for listing these tips. I've started working from home since end of July and I'm still trying to get the hang of it. These tips motivate me keep me track to help my work flow.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips. Very encouraging to stay organized not just with etsy stuff, but with school as well
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips, I needed to know them and a reminder about the pj thing. I seem to get busy that I forget that I have them on until my husband comes home from work and there I am.
ReplyDelete