Thanks to the Internet and modern technology as a whole, working from the comfort of your own home has become possible and quite easy. This is especially important nowadays as more and more people, including moms like you, work from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And it’s looking like this work setup is here to stay—even after the pandemic—as it can be very cost-effective and convenient for businesses and workers alike.
If you already got working from home down pat, then good for you. But if you’re just now transitioning to a work-from-home setup, whether you’re employed or venturing on your own, here are some helpful tips on making this transition smooth for you:
Get the necessary stuff
No matter the kind of job, you’ll always need a thing or two to get your work done. Of course, the most important ones to have these days are a strong Internet connection and a decent computer—be it a laptop or desktop. Then, if you have to take a lot of calls, join video conference meetings, or make presentations for your work, it’ll also be a great idea if you get yourself a quality headset, such as high-quality Plantronics call center headsets, and even a ring light.
A computer desk and chair, preferably ergonomic ones, must likewise be on your to-get list as using your dining or coffee table, sofa, or kitchen stool for work for prolonged periods of time can’t be good for your posture. And don’t forget office staples like paper, sticky notes, pens, highlighters, and staplers, which should make you more efficient and organized while you work.
Have a dedicated workspace
One of the best things about working from home is it gives you the flexibility to work at just about any place in your house. That said, it’d still be better if you had a dedicated workspace at home. Ideally, this place should be quiet, well-lit, well-ventilated, and tidy so it’d be conducive to working. Plus, this dedicated spot in your home must be inaccessible to kids, especially the very young ones.
You don’t want them accidentally deleting your 50-page report—or worse, playing with your pens and stapler! A spare room that you can turn into your home office is the best option. But a corner that doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic in your bedroom or living room will also do. For this corner workstation, you can install a walk-through baby gate to keep those cute little hands off of your stuff.
Set your working hours
When it comes to the work-from-home setup, it’ll surely be helpful to you if you set your working hours right from the start. This won’t be an issue if you are required to stick to company hours. But if you have a flexible schedule or you work on your own hours, it’s best to have set working hours. Why? For one, a set schedule will condition your mind and body that you need to work, helping you be more efficient. It’ll likewise help you avoid procrastinating because you’ll only have a certain window of time to get your job done.
It’ll also let everyone (except the cute little ones!) in the house know that, as much as possible, you shouldn’t be disturbed during those hours. When setting your working hours, choose the time of day when you know you will be most productive and have the fewest distractions.
Be ready to motivate yourself
Without your boss and coworkers physically around you when you work from home, you’ll basically have only one person to motivate you to do your work: YOU. And the ability to motivate yourself is crucial in this work setup, even if you’re running your own business, because of the many distractions at home. For sure, there’ll be times that you’ll be tempted to put off work so you can play with your kids, finish household chores, go to the grocery store, or even get some sleep.
You have to fight these temptations off, and you’re the only person who can make yourself do this. So whenever you feel like slacking off or not working at all, take a deep breath and tell yourself that you need to get your work done first and that there’ll be plenty of time to do non-work-related stuff afterward.
Working from home is a great work setup. It can be very cost-effective and convenient. So if you’re given the chance to work from home, grab the opportunity with both hands! And then, help ensure that your work-from-home transition goes smoothly by following four useful tips.
