Working from home is an increasingly popular choice, as the Internet has made telecommuting, freelancing and contract work more feasible. However, many people find it challenging to set the necessary boundaries and schedules for a work-at-home lifestyle. Here's how to work smarter, instead of harder, from your home.
Set Up a Comfortable Workspace
Your workspace should include a comfortable chair, a desk and adequate natural and electric light. If your primary computer is a laptop, connect it to a desktop keyboard and mouse for more ergonomic working.
Keep a Schedule
Just because you don't have to be at the office at a certain time doesn't mean you should start work whenever you want. Start work at a set time.
Work at Your Best Times
If you telecommute for your employer, rather than work on a freelance or self-employed basis, you may not be able to work on your own schedule. If you do have flexibility in your hours, work when in the hours that you are most productive, whether that's early in the morning, midday, in the evening or in the middle of the night.
Take Breaks
It's great to immerse yourself deeply in your work, but set a timer to take regular breaks at whatever interval works for you, such as 15 minutes every 2 hours. Otherwise you can surface from your work to find that it's hours past lunchtime and your productivity has plummeted.
Limit Email Checking
Email can suck up your whole day and productivity if you let it. Maybe one of the most distracting things in the world is the little "ding" that tells you you've received another email. Disable instant notifications, close your email program or window and schedule your e-mail checking for just a few times a day.
Set Goals
Have clearly defined goals or tasks for each day. Writing them down is best, because it makes them concrete. Sort them into vital, important and not-so-important tasks or goals, and do the vital ones first. Check them off as you go.
Foil Procrastination
When there's no one standing over your shoulder checking your work, it's easy to procrastinate. If a task seems overwhelming, set a timer for 15 minutes and promise yourself to work on the task for at least that long. You may find that getting started was the biggest issue.
Use Distraction-Blocking Software
Many free applications allow you to block certain websites or programs on your computer for a set amount of time. If you often find yourself surfing the Web instead of writing a report during your work time, use one of these applications to cut yourself off from your distractions.
Leave the House
If your work is portable, take it somewhere else: a coffee shop, the library or a restaurant are common choices. Sometimes a change of scenery and the removal of home distractions are all you need to get productive again.
Exercise
Working at home, you lack the exercise running for the morning bus, climbing the stairs to your office or moving from room to room to talk with coworkers and attend meetings. Get outside every day; walk, run, ride your bike or do some heavy yard work. Exercise is good for your health and productivity, and helps break up your day.
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