Now that high-speed wireless Internet, powerful mobile devices, and sophisticated apps and programs are widely available to workers everywhere, more and more employees are choosing to avoid the daily commute and instead are working from home. If you’re one of the rapidly growing ranks of freelancers or employees who aren’t based in a traditional office setting, here are some key tips, tricks, and ideas for telecommuting success.
Take advantage of technology.
One of the main factors behind the widespread rise of telecommuting in recent years is the development of a huge range of inexpensive, high-quality communications technology, from conference calling to live video streaming. Today, employees don’t need to be in the same physical space to have meetings, share files and documents, or keep tabs on a project’s status—that can all be handled through apps, tools, and the power of the Internet. As a telecommuter, you’ll want to leverage all this technology to help keep on top of your to-do list and stay in touch with your co-workers, so start checking out different apps and tools and seeing which ones work best for you and your team. Just because you work remotely doesn’t mean you have to be out of the loop.
Create a comfortable workspace.
You might not think you need a designated workspace if you work from home, but experts agree that you’re more likely to be productive if you have a comfortable, clearly defined space you can think of as “your office.” Powering up your laptop in a messy living room or a kitchen with a sink full of dirty dishes will only make it that much harder to concentrate. Instead, find a space free of distractions and interruptions (ideally a room that has a door you can close!) and make that your workroom. Clearly defining your space like this also makes it easier to set a specific schedule.
Get ready for work.
If you don’t have to commute to the office, you can just get out of bed and get straight to work in your pajamas, right? Not quite, say telecommuting experts. In fact, even if your “commute” is the ten steps from your bedroom door to your home workspace, it’s still a good idea to get up and get ready for work just as if you were heading into the office. Rituals like showering, getting dressed in work-appropriate clothes, and having breakfast help clearly define the start of the day and put you in the kind of productive mindset you need to best accomplish tasks as a remote worker.
Set a schedule…
Working from home is full of temptations. There might be laundry or housework to finish, a meal to get started, or a visiting friend who just dropped by to say hello, but one of the most important tips for successful telecommuting is to stick to a schedule. Decide what your office hours are going to be and when you’re going to take breaks, and then do your best to maintain that schedule just as you would if you were working with your colleagues in a conventional office environment. Without a set schedule like this, you’re likely to either not get all your work done, or wind up working all the time.
…but let yourself be flexible.
Even the best workers have days when they just aren’t being productive. If this is happening to you, it’s okay to take advantage of your flexibility as a telecommuter and give yourself permission to stop work early or to take an extra long break. Yes, sticking to a schedule as described above is very important, but it’s also true that there are times when forcing things doesn’t help. Just keep an eye on yourself to make sure this doesn’t become a habit. If you’re honest with yourself, you know the difference between a day when you really aren’t getting anything done and a day when you just don’t want to get anything done.
Leave the house.
For telecommuters, a change of air and scenery is great for boosting productivity and breaking up what can otherwise be a long day spent at home alone. When creating your daily schedule, build in some time for a walk around the block, or spend an hour every afternoon working at your local café. The chance to stretch your legs and interact with others will invigorate you and help keep you productive throughout the day.
Keep work life and home life separate.
Successful telecommuters who work from home know that compartmentalizing is the key to a productive work life and a happy home life. It might sound surprising, but when clear boundaries are not set, most telecommuters end up working more, rather than less, than they would at a normal office. As a remote worker, make sure you know not only when you’re working (having a clearly designated workspace and a set schedule will help with this), but more importantly, when you’re not working. Don’t let “I work at home” turn into “When I’m at home, I’m working.”