Work from Home?
Kerri Lawrey-Jones | Operations. Accounting. Organization. | Tuesday March 16 2010Working from home can be difficult and challenging. I know that I find my mind wanders and the kitchen calls my name if I am not prepared, so I have incorporated a few things to alter my thinking in order to make my time at the home office productive.
1) Get ready. Working in your pj’s does not put you in a working frame of mind. In the same way that dressing for success applies to working outside of the home – dressing for productivity applies in general. You do not wear flip-flops to the gym to run a treadmill, so why would you wear pj’s to your home office if you are working?
2) Bring snacks and beverages to your home office, so you are not compelled to make kitchen visits. The kitchen is likely near the living room where television and your favorite movie can distract – not to mention access to unlimited snack supplies, which is not good for your middle.
3) Set a schedule. Tell yourself you are working from this time to this time without interruption. Shut down all sites that are not involved in your task, including facebook, twitter, and email. It can all be reopened in a moment if the need arises.
4) When taking a break, go outside and get some fresh air. Being locked in your home office all day can limit your creativity and productivity. Take a quick 10-minute walk around the block – you will be glad you did, especially in this beautiful AZ weather.
5) Finally, when your time is up – close up shop! Do not work all day and night. Just because your office is at home, does not mean your home is your office!
