In today’s new work-world, telecommuting, online jobs, and working from home are the new standard of doing business every day in the United States. If you haven’t already, it’s a good time to get up to speed and learn how to successfully work from home if you want to be a part of this new economy. Here are 7 ways to be successful in your in-home endeavor and to prevent getting burned out by doing so.
7 Ways to Successfully Work from Home
1 – Workspace
While working in your pajamas in your bed in front of the TV with an espresso machine on the nightstand might seem like a great plan. It’s a good idea not to work where you sleep (or regularly perform any other activities). Carve out a space you can designate as your workspace and make this the place where you perform all your work duties. Even if you live in a small apartment, you can still carve out a niche to call your office. Try to make your space distraction-free, and face a wall while you work, instead of an opened window, television, or entertainment center. Fell free to decorate your space, just as you might your cubicle or office space and have your office tools handy as well.
2 – Routine
Many jobs online can be extremely flexible in allowing you to adjust your work hours to what suits you best. This can be problematic when you put off some work to make time for other things, then find yourself cramming in streams of long hours at the end of the week to make up for it. Stick to a schedule and schedule as much of the rest of your life as you can.
Take breaks and eat at the same times, get up, get ready, and start your workdays at the same time(s) as well, if you can. This regular continuity will keep you on top of your game and prevent your work activities from spilling over into your private life, when there is little or no physical separation.
3 – Boundaries
Separation is the key. By setting boundaries you can create a sense of physical separation even if there is none. If you share your home with other people, like your family or roommates, make sure you let them know that when you’re in your room with the door closed, at your workstation (which could be as simple as a TV tray facing the wall), this means you are working, and you should not be disturbed or interrupted when you are in your home-working-space.
Also, set boundaries for family and friends, who may not have as much respect for your telecommuting status. At first, when your friends and family find out that you’re working from home, all they really get is the fact that you’re at home. That normally might mean that you are available to interact or entertain them. Set clear boundaries, and make them aware of your break times, so that they can phone you or “do lunch” during your regularly scheduled lunch break time.
4 – Me Time
You may already realize that no one can really look after your best interests than yourself. So, it’s up to you to find ways to practice self-care within the confines of your life as a teleworker or as you are working online jobs.
Make certain to make space for “me time” during your work week. Do a hobby, take a walk in the park, play a sport, take a luxurious bath, get a massage, etc. Taking time out for you can greatly expand your ability to maintain a heightened state of peak performance. Often, your best ideas about how to increase your performance come when you are engaged in self-care, whatever that means for you.
5 – Exercise
If your “me time” doesn’t include exercise, you should make some additional time during your workweek for a bit of aerobic activity. If the gym is not open, you can ride a bike, run around the block, get on the treadmill (if you have one), jump on a trampoline (could be a mini trampoline) to music, or put in an aerobic workout DVD and be sure to follow along (not just watch it).
A bit of regular aerobic exercise is good for increasing brain power, physiological metabolism, health status, immunity, and overall peak performance.
6 – Off-time
The best way to assure you’re successfully working from home is to not work when you’re not working. When your office is in your home, its easy to be lured back into your home workstation because something just occurred to you. The next thing you know, you’ve been working for three hours, and your chance to have quality time for you, your family, or friends has quickly slipped away. Don’t do it.
When something occurs to you, jot it down on a note, just as you would had you thought of something at home back when you had to commute to and from the office, only now you can leave the note on your workstation, then get back to it when your routine say it’s time to work.
7 – Backup
Have a backup plan and resources on standby. If you’re feeling stressed about working from home, telecommuting, or working online jobs, have a list of places you can go, calls you can make, and take advantage of services that are readily available.
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, many resources are available online or via cell phone. Take advantage of them and don’t fall victim to work from home burnout.
Have your list of backup resources ready before you need them.