5 Tips for Working Productively from Home

In today’s professional environment, many workers have the opportunity to work from home. While this does seem like a dream for many (and it actually can be a great idea for lot of people), it is also an exercise in professionalism. While working from home does offer many amenities that we often miss in the workplace, it also provides a unique set of challenges as well.

Here are 5 tips for working productively from home:

1. Set working hours. If you set working hours and commit yourself to them, you will get more done throughout these hours and it will aid in keeping yourself on task. Don’t forget that these hours don’t necessarily have to be 9am to 5pm either; if you’re a “night owl” it’s OK to work at night too.
2. Define, organize, and optimize your workspace. If you’re lucky enough to have a home office then you’ve pretty much got this one done already, but if you don’t don’t worry. Make your workspace comfortable, and treat it as you would at a regular office.
3. Make to-do lists. Don’t be afraid to make these lists daily. They will help you to stay on task and avoid procrastination.
4. Take a break. Don’t feel guilty if you need to step away from your work for a few minutes and relax. You’ve afforded yourself the opportunity of working from home, so don’t burn yourself out. It’s OK to tune our and relax for a few minutes.
5. Set boundaries with family and friends. Make it clear to family and friends that when you’re working you don’t want to be disturbed. Interruptions should only be for urgent matters.

Working from home can either be a blessing or a curse for you career, so you should take measures to make it work if you have such an opportunity. While these tips can certainly be helpful, don’t forget that there is no substitute for hard work!