According to a study by Forrester, the number of people working from home at least some time has increased by 115% since 2005. And that number will only continue to grow as more and more people discover the benefits of working from home. As the pandemic continues to surge in many parts of the world, working from home has become the new normal for many people.
There are plenty of reasons to love working from home. You can save money on commuting costs, you don’t have to worry about dress codes or office politics, and you can take breaks whenever you need them. But the best part of all may be the flexibility: You can work whenever and wherever you want, which means you can fit your work around your life instead of the other way around.
However, adjusting your home will require some work on your part as well. Here are a few tips to help you transition to working from home.
Identify a Dedicated Space
Working from home can be a great way to avoid distractions, but only if you have a designated work space. You may find yourself getting pulled in a million different directions without a specific place to work. Your home is probably full of tempting distractions, so it’s essential to have a space where you can focus on your work.
In your home environment, it can be challenging to resist the urge to check Facebook or take a nap. By having a specific space for working, you can minimize these distractions and stay focused on your tasks.
If you don’t have an extra room to use as a home office, try setting up an area in your basement or garage. However, they might be uncomfortable spots for working. As a result, you might consider getting basement finishing services to ensure the space is fit for work. Just make sure that the area is quiet and free from distractions. You may also want to invest in some office furniture to make the space feel more professional.
Create Barriers
Unfortunately, you might be using a room with a shared purpose. Many work-from-home professionals utilize the bedroom, kitchen, and living room as their office. These areas might be more comfortable to work in, but they can also lead to more distractions.
You’ll need to create work and leisure time barriers in these cases. For example, if you’re working in the living room, try setting up a screen or partition to separate your work area from the rest of the room. This way, when you finish working for the day, you can close off your workspace and relax in the rest of your home.
You can also try using noise-canceling headphones to minimize distractions. Listening to music or white noise can help you focus on your work and tune out any background noise.
Take Breaks
Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you have to work all the time. It’s essential to take breaks throughout the day to stay productive. When working in an office, it’s easy to get caught up in your work and forget to take a step back.
But when working from home, it’s essential to take advantage of your flexible schedule. If you are getting bogged down by work, take a few minutes to walk around the block or make yourself a cup of coffee. These small breaks can help refresh your mind and give you the energy to power through the rest of your workday.
Set Office Hours
Although working from home offers plenty of flexibility, setting some boundaries is essential. Otherwise, you might find yourself working all the time. To avoid this, try setting office hours for yourself.
You should focus on work during these hours and resist the temptation to do chores or errands. Once your office hours are over, you can take care of your business and enjoy your free time.
This strategy will help you stay productive during work hours and prevent burnout. It will also make it easier to transition back to a traditional office setting if needed. Most companies also provide a hybrid work arrangement, meaning you might split your work hours for the week from home and at the office. If that is the case, you can use your office hours to get ahead on work, so you’re not scrambling to finish tasks at the last minute.
Final Thoughts
Nowadays, more and more people are working from home. And there are plenty of advantages to this arrangement – you’re in charge of your schedule, you can work in your pajamas, and there are no commuting costs. But working from home can also be challenging, particularly if you’re not used to it. By following these tips, you can transition to working from home and set yourself up for success.
