6 Best Practices for Working from Home

More and more entrepreneurs are working remotely.
They may have an "office" at home, in a co-working
space or even at the nearest coffee shop. Fortunately,
technology has allowed everyone -- even entrepreneurs
who commute to a traditional office every day -- to
benefit from the flexibility of working from home when
it’s needed or preferred.
Anyone who works from home will tell you that it has its
benefits, yet also challenges. When I started my
business in 1998, social media did not exist, I had no
clients and most of my friends worked in a traditional
office setting.
After working for a large hotel for nearly six years, I had
grown accustomed to being surrounded by people each
day. Working from home provided peace and solitude,
yet I was lonely.
I had no one to interact with except my yellow Labrador.
No humans were around for sharing ideas. I worked long
hours, many in my pajamas. No one was there to hold
me accountable for my work and I had to force myself to
rise at a reasonable hour each morning and develop self-
discipline.
But after a while, I set up a regular routine, joined some
networking groups and adopted some best practices.
Here are some tips to keep in mind to stay focused on
your work throughout the day:
Related: 8 Essentials to Get the Most Out of Working
From Home
1. Set and keep regular office hours.
Most people who work from home find they work too
much rather than too little. Other remote workers
struggle to keep a regular schedule -- working a few
hours one day and pulling an all-nighter the next.
Some interruptions can’t be avoided. Client deadlines
may unexpectedly require extra hours. Family obligations
can interfere as well, especially if children are home
during the day.
Do your best to set work hours and stick to them.
Then try your best to leave work at the "office" and turn
your phone on silent and enjoy the rest of your day.
Give yourself some time to recharge so you can be as
productive as possible.
2. Plan and structure your workday.
Structure your workday to maximize efficiency. Take
advantage of your body’s natural rhythms and plan your
work around your most productive hours.
If you know you focus best in the morning, resist the
temptation to check email until 10 a.m. or later. A quick
review of your calendar when you first start work can
set you up for a productive workday.
Make a list of your most important tasks before you
move on to less urgent business. If possible, shut your
office door (if you have one) to signal to others that
you’re working and don't wish to be disturbed.
Related: Working From Home? Avoid These Not-So-
Obvious Distractions.
3. Dress to impress (even if it’s just for
your dog).
As enticing as it is to stay in pajamas all day, this is not
the best work habit. The way you dress affects you
psychologically.
Taking the time to shower, have breakfast, brush
the teeth and dress can make someone feel more
confident. Maintain a casual (not sloppy) work wardrobe
to help you transition smoothly between home and office
-- even if they’re in the same place.
4. Set aside a designated work area.
Consistency is an important aspect to working from
home. Try to work at the same spot every day. It could
be a spare bedroom that you’ve turned into a home
office, a desk located in the corner of the living room or
even the dining room table.
Make sure your workspace functions efficiently for you,
your business and your style. Surround yourself with
things that inspire you and make you happy including
flowers, music and pictures. Make your workspace a
place you enjoy going to each day, an area where you
can focus and do your best work.
5. Take breaks.
Schedule time for frequent breaks throughout the day.
Rise from your desk, stretch or walk around the house
or down the street. Take a lunch break and enjoy a
midday meal.
If you need a little socializing, go out to lunch with
friends or clients. A major advantage to working from
home is having flexibility. If fitness is important to you, a
quick trip to the gym can reinvigorate you and make for
a productive afternoon.
6. Avoid distractions.
One challenge of working from home is accountability.
With no colleagues or partners nearby, it’s easy to
become distracted. There are always errands to run and
chores at home to do. Do your best to put off household
tasks, like laundry and dishes, until you've gone "home"
for the evening.
Stay focused on work throughout the day to maintain
consistent productivity. Avoid online distractions as well.
Limit the time spent on email, social media and websites
unrelated to work.
Set a timer on your phone or computer if necessary.
Don’t waste time or money on meetings or activities that
are counterproductive to your success.