Because you can work at any time, working from home can be a huge distraction. It’s easy for your day to quickly pass by when you spend time online shopping, cleaning the house, or running errands, instead of working. While you have the freedom to work whenever you want, it can be hard to stay focused. Here are some tips to help you manage your time.
Set a Routine
Creating a consistent daily routine is one of the most effective ways to set yourself up for success when working remotely. A routine allows you to make time for both work and self-care, ensuring you’re productive while also getting enough rest. Wake up at the same time consistently every day and take advantage of the ability to sleep in a bit if you don’t have to commute.
Communicate Regularly with Your Boss
Working from home means it’s even more important to stay in regular contact with your supervisor and co-workers. Make sure you’re communicating about project progress, how much time each assignment takes, and any issues that arise along the way. When possible, schedule regular check-in meetings or calls with your boss, so they know what projects you plan on working on.
Set Boundaries
Being available 24/7 and feeling like you need to be productive all the time is a recipe for burnout. To avoid this, it’s important to establish boundaries between your personal life and your professional life. When you have a clear set of guidelines on when you work, what you work on, and how much time you dedicate to every task, it becomes easier to relax and enjoy some nice time with friends and family when you’re off the clock.
Set Realistic Expectations
When you have a busy day ahead of you, schedule time for breaks, snacks, and fun things like watching T.V. or reading that book on your nightstand. Also, communicate with your co-workers when things get overwhelming, so they know why you might be late to a meeting or why something might not be done yet.
Create a Dedicated Workspace
If you live without an office or a desk at home, try setting up one area as your dedicated workspace and keep it organized throughout the day. This will help you stay on task and avoid distractions when you’re working from home. Also, get dressed for work. You may be tempted to work in your pajamas all day, but dressing the part can put you in a great mindset for a productive day.
