How to stay productive when working from home
There’s a lot to be said for running your business affairs from home. For starters, there’s no commute to contend with. Neither is there the usual office chatter to distract or lure you away from the pressing tasks at hand. However, on the other hand, the little freedom that you have at home can sometimes do more harm than good. If you’re part of the work from home club and find that productivity often suffers then read on…
- Get dressed for success
Sure it’s tempting to roll out of bed at the last minute to conduct business in a dressing gown unshaven and disheveled. Resist the temptation of hitting the snooze button on your alarm and start your day early. Imagine you’re on your way to work by doing everything you’d normally do to prepare leaving the house – jump in the shower, have breakfast and more importantly, dress for success. Doing so will put you in the right frame of mind to conquer the day ahead.
- It’s good to talk
As you won’t be stopping by a colleague’s desk for a quick chinwag, it’s important you have the right communication tools at hand. Checking in with customers via email, instant messaging (better for more informal chats) and video calls (best for sharing ideas with a group of people) won’t just keep you in the loop but might just save your sanity if the monotony of working autonomously sometimes drives you bats.
- Create a zen-like office environment
Before you put finger to keyboard you first must have a clearly defined and organised working space. Ideally, this will not be an area where you also sleep or spend a lot of time with your family. Ensure you’re well stocked for everything you need like stationery and a plentiful supply of caffeine (if you’re a tea or coffee addict). A good office chair and the right lighting also play a major part in your comfort and productivity.
- Have a break
With your home office shrine built and all potential distractions out of sight you’re all set to go full steam ahead, right? Well not quite. Grinding out work at all hours of the day and night isn’t healthy. So regular breaks are essential to get your mind re-energised. Take time out every hour by going for a quick walk or catching up on the day’s news.
- Learn how to say ‘no’
When you’re working from home and have greater flexibility, it presents a prime opportunity for friends and family to meddle in your precious work affairs. But don’t pull your hair out over putting someone’s nose out of joint. No matter how much they guilt you into doing things be firm and explain that your work time is sacred.
KashFlow is accounting and payroll software that’s free of confusing jargon or complicated processes. It gives you everything you need from invoicing to cash flow management and automatic VAT return generation. For a free no-obligation 1-2-1 demo just call the KashFlow on boarding team on 0844 815 5779.
