Successfully
STRATEGIES FOR WORKING FROM HOME
By KIMBERLY BLAKER
Despite the light at the end of the tunnel from the COVID-19 pandemic now in sight , many companies and individuals will continue to work from home until a sufficient percentage of the population is immunized to reach herd immunity . Fortunately , working from home offers many benefits to employers and employees alike , especially with new technology that makes it easier than ever . In fact , a growing number of companies were already heading in the direction of remote work before the coronavirus outbreak . Now , the pandemic may have served as a catalyst to expedite the growth of this trend even after the COVID-19 threat is over .
In addition , countless people have lost their jobs as a direct result of the pandemic . So many are now seeking work-from-home opportunities through self-employment or side gigs .
While for some , working from home is a dream come true , for others , telecommuting has its drawbacks and is a big adjustment . Many find it challenging to get motivated , struggle with time management , self-management , and productivity , and find it easy to slack off . If you are struggling , the following strategies utilized by many successful entrepreneurs can help you stay on track while working from home .
Create a Home Workspace
If you don ' t already have an office or workspace , find a way to create one . It may be tempting to work on your couch in front of the TV . But you ' re not likely to be focused and productive . If you ' re used to commuting to work , your mind and body are conditioned to work in a particular environment . If others live in your home or you don ' t have a designated workspace , it can be challenging to work from home . So set boundaries around your work time and space . Even if you have a home office , you may need to make modifications , so it meets your needs .
When setting up your work area , create a space that mimics your ideal work environment , and designate that space for work . Consider all the tools and the layout you need to do your job efficiently and find ways to incorporate everything into your workspace . If you ' re used to personal comforts at work like a salt lamp , plants , or coffee machine , incorporate them into your setup at home . If you have limited space , create a ' workspace in a box .' Store everything you need together in a box so you can set up quickly and easily on any surface . Then take it down at the end of your workday .
Assess Your Personal Situation
Everyone ' s work-from-home situation is different . So think about your situation and individual needs . Some questions to consider are :
1 . What is your home environment like ?
• Is it loud or quiet ?
• Do you have sufficient workspace ?
2 . What does working from home look like ?
• Do you have flexible or structured hours ?
• Do you work with others through video calls or exclusively by yourself ?
• How is your work from home measured ?
3 . How do you work best ?
• Do you need structure or flexibility ?
• Do you work better alone or with others ?
• Is a commute or transition time necessary to mentally prepare you for work ?
After you ' ve thought about your work situation and what you need to be successful , find ways to incorporate what works best for you while working from home .
Get Into Work Mode
If you usually work away from home , you ' re probably accustomed to a transition between home and work life . For example , you get dressed , eat breakfast , drink coffee , then commute to work . At the end of the day , you travel home , perhaps listening to the radio to wind down before you arrive . This helps to shift between work mode and relaxing at home . When working from home , however , these boundaries are often blurred . So you may need to find ways to differentiate between work time and personal time . Otherwise , it ' s easy to fall into the trap of never being entirely focused on work or relaxation , leaving you feeling unsatisfied in both areas .
Come up with a routine that closely mimics your regular workday . Set your alarm rather than sleeping in and get dressed rather than lingering in your pajamas . This will also make it easier to transition back to your place of employment when the time comes .
Also , do a commuting activity . If you usually listen to a podcast in the car or read a book on the train , do the same thing for a set amount of time before beginning your workday . Or go for a walk in your neighborhood ( being mindful of social distancing ).
28 • MAY / JUNE 2022