Are you a professional who needs to be working from home sometimes? There is a rule of thumb for how long you should work from home: Dual responsibilities = happy home front. However, what if your primary responsibilities don’t call for being at home? Do you need to work from home anyway? The short answer is yes. But not necessarily. Many jobs can be done from home – and in some cases, it can actually be more productive and beneficial than working at the office. Check out these tips on how working from home can help you in your career and life.
Learn to say “no” to meetings
Meetings can be a lot of fun or boring, but they can also be a huge drain on your time and energy. If you don’t enjoy them, it’s probably best to say so. Even if you’re inclined to go along with the flow and participate in the meetings as needed, you can still say no to some of them. And if you’re really tight-lipped about it, emailing the meeting attendees and letting them know you won’t be there is an option, too.
Find a balance between work and life
If you have a full-time job, working from home can be a great opportunity. However, you should still be mindful of your job and how it fits into your life. Be careful not to overextend yourself by working from home and letting your life get out of control.
Work from home when possible
Working from home can actually be more productive since you get the luxury of not having to commute. If you’re looking for short-term gain and want to avoid the commute, this is the ideal situation for working from home. And you can still reap the benefits of working from home even if you don’t have a regular 9-5 schedule. However, if you are self employed I suggest working in an office, workspace, or public area like a library because you are wearing many different hats and need to be in a place away from distractions including the television.
Make your work environment as conducive as possible
As much as possible, avoid putting pressure on yourself by making yourself do things the “official” way. Avoid placing distractions in the environment and place kids if you have any in daycare.
Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water
To avoid getting dehydrated, drink water – especially during the early part of your working day. When you start to feel a little parched, take some water breaks – preferably in the middle of the day when you’re not working. The same goes for eating – try to keep your eating schedule flexible so you can avoid going hungry.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever felt like you need to work from home but don’t know how to begin, this article is for you. You can do this. You have the skills and the tools to work from home. Working from home doesn’t have to be a struggle. In fact, working from home can be a great way to make money, improve your career, and gain valuable experience in your industry. When you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to making working from home a more manageable and enjoyable experience.
