How to Be a Successful Home Worker
Create A Work Space., Dressing The Part., Join The Conversation., Leave The Conversation., Set Your Boundaries., Do Lunch Right., Track Your Work Hours.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Create A Work Space.
This doesn’t have to be a separate room, instead just a designated space that will act as your center of operations.
This space should be able to accommodate all your supplies, so when you sit down you can jump right into work mode.
Another plus of a home work space: tax deduction on maybe everything you buy for your home office and some of your utility and rent bills too. -
Step 2: Dressing The Part.
Different things work for different people.
If a shower, your favorite sweats and a cup of coffee is all you need to get into work mode, that’s great.
If you feel most confident doing conference calls in your underpants, that’s great too; working from home gives us a comfort that allows us to get our game face on.
The dress code is your prerogative, but a nice blouse or button up for a professional video call is required to maintain your image as a professional in your field.
As well, you may not come in contact with your professional contacts often, but that is no excuse to ignore our personal hygiene. , Working from home isn't about cutting yourself off from the world.
You should actually be connecting by networking through social media platforms.
In a conventional work setting you have the watercooler to catch up with other employees.
When you are at home and starved for conversation, take a break to go online and join a networking group.
Keep your online profiles up to date with your professional accomplishments.
You never know what professional opportunity is lurking on your online profile. , In a conventional workplace it would detrimental to your future at the company if you were sitting at your desk posting all day.
Same rule applies when working from home.
There’s no boss to check your work progress, and your computer doesn't have website blocks on it; getting sucked into the latest trending Twitter hashtag is so easy.
The solution is simple: turn off the Wi-Fi.
If you need internet connection to work then try a web-blocker. , When you work from home a drawback has to manage the many distractions of your home life.
Your mom thinks you’re sitting on the couch watching reality show reruns.
Your friends think it’s completely acceptable to call whenever they have some downtime from their work lives.
Or people just come over to hang because you’re “at home.” You may be physically in your home, but you’re also at work.
Set office hours and stick to them.
When you respect your work hours the people in your life will begin to recognize that you’re at work and respect those boundaries too. , Frequently running to the refrigerator for a snack happens when we’re at home all day.
Donuts, chips and energy drinks may fill the vending machine in a conventional work space.
Fill your kitchen with sensible, healthy options.
When you feel good on the inside, you will be much more productive in your work endeavors.
Invest in protein rich foods that will increase your focus and energy naturally. , When 6pm rolls around, you shouldn't be confused about you did that work day.
Divide your work schedule into time intervals.
Work intensely for a set amount of time then take a five-minute break.
A lot more business will get done focusing on one thing at a time rather than multitasking at half speed for twice as long. -
Step 3: Join The Conversation.
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Step 4: Leave The Conversation.
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Step 5: Set Your Boundaries.
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Step 6: Do Lunch Right.
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Step 7: Track Your Work Hours.
Detailed Guide
This doesn’t have to be a separate room, instead just a designated space that will act as your center of operations.
This space should be able to accommodate all your supplies, so when you sit down you can jump right into work mode.
Another plus of a home work space: tax deduction on maybe everything you buy for your home office and some of your utility and rent bills too.
Different things work for different people.
If a shower, your favorite sweats and a cup of coffee is all you need to get into work mode, that’s great.
If you feel most confident doing conference calls in your underpants, that’s great too; working from home gives us a comfort that allows us to get our game face on.
The dress code is your prerogative, but a nice blouse or button up for a professional video call is required to maintain your image as a professional in your field.
As well, you may not come in contact with your professional contacts often, but that is no excuse to ignore our personal hygiene. , Working from home isn't about cutting yourself off from the world.
You should actually be connecting by networking through social media platforms.
In a conventional work setting you have the watercooler to catch up with other employees.
When you are at home and starved for conversation, take a break to go online and join a networking group.
Keep your online profiles up to date with your professional accomplishments.
You never know what professional opportunity is lurking on your online profile. , In a conventional workplace it would detrimental to your future at the company if you were sitting at your desk posting all day.
Same rule applies when working from home.
There’s no boss to check your work progress, and your computer doesn't have website blocks on it; getting sucked into the latest trending Twitter hashtag is so easy.
The solution is simple: turn off the Wi-Fi.
If you need internet connection to work then try a web-blocker. , When you work from home a drawback has to manage the many distractions of your home life.
Your mom thinks you’re sitting on the couch watching reality show reruns.
Your friends think it’s completely acceptable to call whenever they have some downtime from their work lives.
Or people just come over to hang because you’re “at home.” You may be physically in your home, but you’re also at work.
Set office hours and stick to them.
When you respect your work hours the people in your life will begin to recognize that you’re at work and respect those boundaries too. , Frequently running to the refrigerator for a snack happens when we’re at home all day.
Donuts, chips and energy drinks may fill the vending machine in a conventional work space.
Fill your kitchen with sensible, healthy options.
When you feel good on the inside, you will be much more productive in your work endeavors.
Invest in protein rich foods that will increase your focus and energy naturally. , When 6pm rolls around, you shouldn't be confused about you did that work day.
Divide your work schedule into time intervals.
Work intensely for a set amount of time then take a five-minute break.
A lot more business will get done focusing on one thing at a time rather than multitasking at half speed for twice as long.
About the Author
Theresa Sullivan
A passionate writer with expertise in DIY projects topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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