How to work from home
These top
tips will make you happier, healthier and more dynamic when you're working at
home.
However,
when you first start working from home it can come as something of a culture
shock.
So here
are 18 quick tips to help you to be happier, healthier and more productive in
your home working:
1. Win over your bosses
If your
bosses aren't convinced about the benefits of home working, then tell them
about BT's experiences. In 25 years of using tele-working, the telecoms giant
found that home-workers are 15% to 20% more productive, and take less time off
sick. These are strong financial arguments for allowing flexible working.
2. Have a formal working area
In the
beginning, you can get by working from the kitchen table. However, as home
working becomes a greater part of your life, you'll need a proper working
space. As well as helping you to focus each day, getting the right desk and
chair will help with your posture and, therefore, your physical comfort.
3. Take exercise breaks
When I
first started working from home, I started putting on weight. Previously, my
daily commute to London
involved about an hour of walking, which helped my fitness. It's important to
take time out of your daily routine to stretch your legs. Ideally, take one or
two 30-minute breaks each day to go for a jog, visit the park or walk the dog.
Oddly, I find that brisk exercise leaves me with more energy, not less. click here to learn more http://bit.ly/exITiH
4. Eat regularly
In
previous jobs, I've worked for companies with staff canteens open for breakfast
and lunch. However, working from my bedroom, there's no such thing as formal
meal breaks. Hence, my wife and I make a point of stopping for lunch at noon
each day, to eat and chat together. Likewise, a good breakfast makes for a
better start to the day than repeatedly snacking and 'grazing' at your desk.
5. Stay social
You need
to learn strategies to deal with the potential loneliness of working in
isolation. Every day, I take time out to chat with friends, exchange jokes and
catch up on the wider world. This social interaction and 'down time' helps me
to recharge my batteries and stay sharp.
6. File, don’t pile
When I
worked in an office, I had an assistant who would file my work for me. Since
working at home, I get 'paperwork phobia' when I see my huge pile of unfiled
documents. Therefore, to stay on top of your workload, you need to get into the
habit of 'filing, not piling'.
7. Set boundaries with your children
My wife
and I both work at home, but we also have two children of primary school age to
take care of. Over time, our son and daughter have learned not to disturb us
repeatedly when we're working. Of course, there's always time for hugs and
kisses after school, but they know not to badger us when we're clearly busy or
on the phone.
8. Make a to-do list
Physical
notes work better than mental notes, so it's vital to maintain an ongoing to-do
list. However, I get more done by focusing on only the first three tasks on the
list. Hence, I concentrate on my top three priorities and then, time
permitting, move further down my list.
9. Don't be afraid to travel
Too much
routine creates boredom, so I enjoy getting out of the house and occasionally
visiting clients. I'll put aside at least one day a month to visit multiple
clients in short visits. However, the peak-time train fare from Hampshire to Central London is expensive, so I try to arrange lunch
with a client or contact willing to pay my travel expenses, as well as for our
meal.
10. Answer the phone professionally
You don't
need a receptionist to have a professional-sounding telephone greeting. But do
bear in mind the impression your telephone manner might have on your employee
or clients.
11. Don't be a slave to email
Left
unchecked, email (and instant messaging) can easily expand to consume more and
more of your valuable time. That's why I try to have several message-free hours
each day, when I concentrate on paid jobs. Otherwise, it's easy to end up
playing 'email tennis' instead of doing paid work.
12. Work flexible hours
What works
best for me is a combination of core hours (say, 11am to 3pm) and flexible
hours (which can include evenings and weekends). Thanks to this two-tier system
of working hours, I find it easy to take on extra work at short notice, thus
boosting my earnings. Also, always remember that you're selling your skills,
not your time. click here to learn more http://bit.ly/exITiH
13. Keep hunting
Although I
do try to plan ahead, I have to manage my working life as a freelancer on a
day-to day basis. What this means is that, as well as doing the work already on
my plate, I'm constantly looking around for new commissions.
To be
successful and self-motivated when working at home, you need to become both
'farmer and hunter'. Hence, I'm always on the lookout for extra commissions,
new clients and fresh opportunities.
14. Chase the money
Perhaps
the biggest struggle facing the self-employed and home workers is getting paid.
In my experience, the larger the company, the longer suppliers wait for
payment. Therefore, you must agree clear payment terms with your clients. For
example, I insist on payment within 30 days of delivery.
15. Agree firm deadlines
When
clients are in a fix, they always reach for home workers who are able to
deliver on time and on budget. Hence, it's important to win a reputation for
being able to work to short deadlines. On the other hand, you mustn't
over-promise and under-deliver, or your usefulness (and future workload) will
suffer.
16. Inform people if you’re ill
Unless
you're superhuman, you will succumb to occasional bouts of illness. When this
happens, it's important to keep your clients informed and, wherever possible,
meet previous work promises.
However,
without the stress of commuting, it's much easier to cope with minor illnesses
(such as colds) when you're working from home.
17. Communicate cleverly
One editor
was astonished to learn that I don't have a mobile phone. However, I pointed
out that he had my phone number, my email address and my instant-messaging
details - and he was speaking to me there and then.
However, to keep in touch while juggling different balls,
it's a good idea to have a smartphone or tablet computer. Since I bought an
iPad last September, my personal productivity has increased dramatically, as I
can pick it up and get to work in seconds. click here to learn more http://bit.ly/exITiH
18. Ensure you’re insured (if you need to
be)
None of my
clients ever visits my home and I keep no stock here, so I don't need public or
employers' liability insurance. However, if business contacts visit your home
or you keep stock there, then seek out the necessary insurance cover from a
specialist broker.
Finally,
home working is all about managing relationships. In particular, it's about controlling your
work-life balance, while taking good care of your loved ones and your clients.
Get this right and life will be so much fun that you'll never really 'work'
again
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