Recently, I read a post on Lifehack.org on how to get your boss to let you work from home. I work from home, and I agree, it’s a great thing! But, getting the permission is just the first step.Working from home well takes organization, self-motivation and discipline to get it all done. Once you get the green light, there are a few things that will make you be successful doing so!
Get Up And Get Dressed
Getting Moving in the morning gets us motivated to work. Do everything you would do as if you were getting up and commuting to a job. You still have a commute- it’s just now from the bathroom to your office.
Have a dedicated, organized workspace with everything you need to be productive.
Have your calendar, client files, project information and basic tools available and nearby. Don’t waste valuable time trying to gather materials you need.
Know your work patterns.
When are you most productive? Are you a morning person or a night owl? Tackle the big jobs during your peak productivity hours. Use the times when you’re less productive to do more administrative tasks.
Hire a VA (Virtual Assistant)
Outsourcing administrative tasks can be a huge time saver and help keep you focused on what you do best. Just be sure to have a detailed organized plan of communication with an assistant and clear time frames and deadlines to keep costs down. Know exactly what you want the VA to do and give clear directions.
Plan your week
Whether you’re a fan of Getting Things Done (GTD) or 7-Habits of Highly Effective People type planning methods, be sure to plan out your week. Identify your key areas of responsibility and create your to-do list and plan of attack. Review projects, old and new, deadlines, client follow up, website and blog maintenance. I’m personally a fan of Mind Mapping to get this done. My FAVORITE tool is MindMeister. A yearly member ship costs just $49! You get unlimited mind maps, sharing and collaboration capabilities and so much more!
Have an escape plan
Even most beautiful home office can become confining. On top of that, being home and all of the things that need to be done, as well as family and friends who think you’re “not really working” because you are at home can be a HUGE distraction. I joined a co-working space, OfficeSpace CoWorkingmembership plans starting as low as $40 per month! (Northeast Ohio) as a great Alternative! It has all of the benefits, atmosphere and urban feel of the local Starbucks, but without all of the noise. CoWorking spaces have great facilities and you can choose how often you use the space and buy memberships to fit your individual needs.
Be Strategically Visible and Network
If you work for a company, you know that office politics and being visible are important. Being out of the office “loop” can hinder your growth both personally and professionally. Not being in the office can be a problem when it comes to promotions, getting projects and knowing what’s going on. You miss important conversations and we all know that some of the “best” ideas come after the meeting. Be present for important meetings and if you can work at least one day in the office. Keep in contact and keep your manager and team up to date on your projects. Meet for lunch and touch base regularly. Go to networking and company functions. Remain visible. Don’t be a victim of “out of sight, out of mind”. Thankfully, Social Media has been a great tool to stay in touch and maintain visibility. Leverage sites like Facebook and Twitter as a valuable alternative to “face time”, but use wisely. You don’t want to be seen as a time waster.
Working from home can help you get more done, save money and have a better work life balance. Good planning, organization and communication will make working from home a successful and productive, and easy job for you!
