Working from home can be both a privilege and a curse. The past 12-months have been quite the adjustment from working 9-5 in an office setting to working from the comfort of my own home. I’m not going to lie, the transition can be difficult even for the most organized person in the world, but it is definitely something I would not trade for anything. This type of work environment matches my personality perfectly, and it has helped me enjoy my job so much more.
So, here are some tips to help make the adjustment to working from home more comfortable.
Have a Designated Work Space
Work and personal life can more easily overlap when you work from home. The best way to focus on work is to have a space that is only for work. Design a space that fits your needs and your style. Additionally, if you can, have a workspace with a door. This helps shut out those distractions, like household chores, and help you remain focused with the tasks at hand.
Related: Home Office Tour
Have a Schedule and Stick to It
When working in an office, you generally have a designated start and end time. So do the same at home. Set up regular work hours to keep you focused and on task. Once you have a schedule, stick to it. Arrive to “work” on time and stop at the end of the workday. Additionally, adhering to a schedule will help you in setting limits with some interruptions like going to lunch with friends or running errands.
Stay Focused with a To Do List and Planner
Do you know what you need to do the minute you sit at your desk? The best way to stay focused is by having a plan and a list of everything that needs to be done for the day. I’m the biggest fan of post-it notes when it comes to my to-do lists because the second the list is accomplished I can toss it in the garbage. Plus they add a little color to my workspace as I’m trying to keep track of all my deadlines for the day.
Have a Social Life
Isolation is probably the biggest challenge for me to overcome with working from home. There are certainly days that go by without direct interaction with a single person. And as much as my introvert-self loves that isolation, I have had to make a conscious effort to get out and meet new people and to socialize with my friends.
Working from home requires discipline and adjustments, but the rewards in flexibility and satisfaction can make all the little changes totally worth the shift.
