12 Top Tips for Working at Home

12 Top Tips for Working at Home
Top Tips for Working at Home and Staying Productive

Working at home (in your own business) has tremendous benefits - no long trips during rush hour, no need to ask permission to go to the Dentist or leave early to pick up children from school. But it can also bring the whole concept of the problem - especially if you are just working at home. The loss of structure provided by office settings can be very annoying for some people. Problems might include things like, Never Actually Switch! Or someone else who doesn't respect your time. Or just not organized enough to really get things done !!

So, when working at home, how do we stay productive - and maintain a work life balanI have compiled a list of tips for working at home that I find useful. (By the way, I've been working from home now for more than 11 years - and I'm not going back to the office for anything! But I still find these tips very useful to remind yourself what I should do every so often !)

Tips1. Determine Your Work Space.
You have to have a workplace - and it's not sitting on the couch in front of the TV! If you don't have a separate study (which is the ideal choice) then try to set yourself up with a table in the bedroom or dining room. You need a space where you can close the door and feel like you are 'working' and therefore feel like you have 'done the job' when you leave the room at the end of the day. Psychologically this is important because it changes your state of mind from "at home" to "at work". Study for FOCUS. Being able to close the door in your separate room is very important - if the door is open it can signal to your family that you are available to chat (or play!)


Wherever your workspace is, make sure you keep it neat - the old adage about a neat table that matches neat thoughts is true! A tidier and more organized workspace, the more productive you are. Also, make sure you have the equipment you need - specifically ensuring you have a comfortable seat with rear support.

Tips2. Set Basic Rules with Those Around You
Manage your working hours (see tip 4) and make sure that your friends and family know this and respect it. You are NOT available for coffee, for a long lunch or for playing! Your friends and family may not bother you in the office with questions that can easily wait until you go home - but if the house is your office, they may not show the same controls. Many friends and family will also think that when you work from home, you can stop for coffee or a long lunch at the moment of notice! Make sure that everyone understands that interruptions are only for urgent matters.

Tips3. Preparation for Work - Physically and Mentally
Breakfast, bath and dress. You don't have to wear a suit - but don't wear pajamas! Wearing the first clothes in the morning prepares you for work - it makes your mindset in the right place.
Don't turn on the computer just to check your email when you walk past the first study room in the morning (I'm guilty of this!) Suddenly you realize that it's lunch time and you're still in PJ with a bad headache not breakfast ( let alone take a shower!)
Make sure you are in the right mindset for the day. Start the day right

Tips4. Set Regular Hours - and Stay with Them
The benefit of working at home is that you don't need to work 9-5 if you don't want to. I tend to work from 9.30-3.00 (with a break for lunch) and then 7.30-8.30 at night (after my child is in bed). Think about what works for you. You may need to work early in the morning or at night to suit your family's life or to communicate with colleagues in other time zones.
Whatever time you decide - stay with them! (You are allowed some allowance - but don't let the work run your life).

I think this is one of the most difficult 'rules' when working from home - it's very easy to never stop. But a healthy working life balance is important - even if you work at home.

Tips5. Don't think you need an Immaculate House!
Don't spend more time on housework than work! A little light homework in your 'lunch hour' is acceptable, as is spewing a strange burden of washing, but really, when you're working, you're working - even if you work at home. If you are able to get a cleaner and you will have one if you work 'decent work' in the office - still get one. Please don't think you have to become Superwoman (or Superman) and do it all yourself because other people think you have more time because you work from home !!

If you take your work seriously, especially if you have just started a new business at home, then you need to enter your work hours - not to clean the house !! Schedule non-work time for housework and get other family members to do their part. It is important that you do not take every housework just because you work from home - the people around you must appreciate the fact that even though you are at home, you have serious work to do during the scheduled hours.

Tips6. Limit Distraction
If your job allows - TURN OFF the phone so you can concentrate and continue without interruption. Just check your e-mail at certain times of the day. It's easy to be bothered by emails that you think must respond IMMEDIATELY! If you do this, you will never complete any task!

Turn off your Skype, Facebook, Twitter etc. when you work. Check your IM at certain times and only log in to Facebook at your break. I know that working from home can feel lonely so using Social Media can feel like your lifeline to the outside world - but this can quickly take over your day and damage your productivity.

Tips7. Create a Daily List to DO