Running your own business has many perks. One such perk is the ability to work wherever you want. For many, that involves working from home, something that isn’t always as great as it sounds. It can be hard to focus and get motivated when you’re working from home, especially if you want to stay productive and professional. 

Here are 7 top tips to help you make the most out of working from home, so you can stay on target and in the zone.

Tip #1: Maintain regular working hours

If you want to get the most out of working from home, it starts with you maintaining regular working hours. It can be easy to lose yourself in household chores and other distractions when you’re working from home. If you want to get a decent amount of work done, you need to be disciplined with your working day.

Tip #2: Have a designated working space

Having your own working space doesn’t necessarily mean you need an entire room for work. However, you do need a designated space, somewhere you can keep your files and equipment safe and secure. It also helps you make the switch from home to work mode if you have a dedicated area to work in.

Tip #3: Establish your boundaries

This is critical for your productivity and for maintaining regular working hours. Family members can often encroach on our working day if we let them, so it’s best to establish those boundaries right away. Let everyone know what your working hours are and when you are available for them, to ensure a balance between work and home.

Tip #4: Take regular breaks

Just because you’re working from home, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t adhere to the guidelines around taking care of yourself. Ensure you’re having regular breaks away from your desk. Go and make a cup of tea, have your lunch and go outside, to refresh your energy levels and give your eyes (and brain) a rest.

Tip #5: Plan your day in advance

Planning your day in advance will help keep you focused. So opt for planning in the evening, ready for the day ahead, or at the start of each new working day. When you’re working from home you want to make sure you’re maximising your available time, so plan your day accordingly. That way, you’ll be able to start immediately, once your working day begins.

Tip #6: Socialise with other people

Working from home can be lonely, especially if there’s no one else in the house. It’s essential that you take the time to socialise with other people, to avoid you getting depressed or despondent. Opt for in-person networking events, online business groups and even a video chat with a mentor or coach, to help keep you interacting and in mind.

Tip #7: Walk away at the end of your working day

Finally, make sure you end your working day when your day is over. Working from home means your work is always easily at hand, but that doesn’t mean you can pick it up at random hours. This is the fastest way to overwhelm, stress and annoyed family members! Learn to switch off and walk away at the end of your working day, so you can unwind, destress and spend time with your friends and family.

If you’re after additional tips on working from home, Hubspot has compiled a list of 20 top tips to help you work well from home. It’s been compiled from the advice given by those people who are already successfully working from home, too – so is full of practical advice! 

And if you’re looking for help with any tasks you have during your working day, why not get in touch? Let’s have an initial free discovery call and discuss how Paperweight PA can potentially help take some tasks off your plate, so you can get more done during your working day.

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