Time-Saving Tips For Working From Home

Often, circumstances don’t allow some people to leave their homes for eight hours or more a day. Things such as mobility of the disabled and parents taking care of children because of the rising costs of child care play a role in people just not having time to spend away from home. Wouldn’t a remote or work-from-home position suit you more if you weren’t able to drive to an office every day? More companies than ever before are offering this option to workers.

This list of companies offering remote positions is not sparse. Technology created by these companies allows them to keep track of their employees even when they aren’t in an office. Big tech companies like Dell, IBM, and even Amazon offer positions that you can do from home. Many more are on the list that you might recognize: American Express, Intuit, Cybercoders, and even the U.S. Department of Agriculture offer positions you can do at home or on a farm.

While working at home can be a convenient option, it can come with distractions that you wouldn’t have to deal with in an office setting. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time while working from home.

Put The Phone Down

You have to limit your social time. Yes, you can take breaks like you normally would, but here at home you need to realize that you can get a lot of work done and still have time for other things. If you have children to care of or just want to relax more, then you might want to shut all social media and similar things out of your work time. If your job is to run a social media page, then you can’t shut the social off, but you can keep off your personal account.

Take Advantage Of Having Your Home Be Your Work Setting

Your boss probably wouldn’t allow you to play loud music or listen to an audiobook while working. Yes, you may be allowed headphones, but this isn’t the same. If you work better with a soundtrack, you are free to do so. Also, take advantage of your coffee maker and drinks that aren’t $5.00 apiece — no need to run out to Starbucks two times a day. And if you want to make something to eat, you can do that whenever you want. Make your own lunch time.

Let Your Family Know That This Time To Work Is Your Time

People may want you to do things with them because you are home. Children, spouses, significant others — they will all want your attention. Make a space for you and give yourself the privacy that you need to work. Sometimes you can’t get this in an office either. Make rules regarding your time and remember that you can always hang out with your family and friends later.

Take A Nap

Nothing says refreshed like taking a nap in the middle of the day, and depending on your job, you can do this with ease. Most remote positions have flexible hours because of the nature of the job. These companies understand your plight and want to help. If you own your own business, then what are you waiting for? This freedom should be exercised with caution — if you are the sole proprietor of your company, there’s no one to encourage you to get back to work.

After you have exercised your freedom, make sure to then exercise your brain and get to work. By working smart and not hard, you can work rapidly and efficiently. This will mean big dividends and more time for yourself. The key is not getting stuck doing the same thing over and over. Your routine should be set, but if you’re doing the same thing over and over, you aren’t learning anything.

Remember To Keep Networking

Whether you like to go fast and trade stocks, code like a maniac at home, or you enjoy painting in your own studio, you still work from home. Some people don’t get the objectivity they need without another person’s opinion. You will often have contacts outside your home office/studio still, and you should utilize these frequently. Networking is a key factor to success, so network as much as possible, but also as little as you want.

Featured photo credit: Blue from Flickr via flickr.com

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