For most of us, going to from nine to five has been the story of our lives. For some, it’s no longer a very satisfying way to live. This is why over the past years, people have been opting to work from home, in an article from Forbes noted that “such opportunities seem to be increasing — the percentage of workers doing all or some of their job at home increased from 19% in 2003 to 24% in 2015”. More and more companies, and not just small, but well-known companies are giving their employees options to work from home.
Is Work From Home For You?
Since a lot of us are accustomed to working traditionally – going to the office, work from nine-to-five; working from home may not be for everybody. For some, this may be their fondest dream, while it can be a nightmare to others. So make sure that you’re ready before you decide to work from home. When you work from home, all these familiar or traditional routines of “office setting” will be different. Think it through, do you enjoy interacting with people? Do you hate the commute? Do you want to spend more time at home or with your family?
8 Smart Work From Home Tips
If you’ve decided to work from home, there are some things you can do to make your job efficient or as convenient as they can be. Here are eight smart work from home tips:
Set Up A Mini Office
If you’re working from home, you should set up your own office. No matter how small or big it is, having an office, has a lot of advantages. For one, having your own space helps you concentrate more.
Work Schedule
Working from home, it’s easy to get sucked to work at any time or any day. On the other hand, it’s also easy to get distracted especially when you’re in the comfort of your own home. This is why it’s important to have a work schedule – you can manage your time.
Use Apps
We’ve talked about how apps can be of a big help at work. Whether you’re working remotely or working at the office, the right apps can save you a lot of time and make you more efficient. A lot of these apps are also free or super affordable, so you don’t have to worry about spending tons of money on a program.
Always Have Backup
There may be times that your computer or internet won’t work or act up, which is basically your lifeline. Set up a backup regarding these. You don’t have to buy or spend a lot of money; you can use an old working laptop or have a prepaid internet. The same goes for other necessary tools or machines you use.
Use the Cloud
According to Nextrio, “The Internet has made it possible to communicate globally through email, voice, and face-to-face instantly with the click of a key. Cloud computing provides the enhanced feature of allowing colleagues to share and collaborate with documents and projects. Long gone is a meeting in the conference room the only option to get the job done.” Aside from collaboration, using a cloud is also a good way to back up your files.
Take Frequent Breaks
Sitting for a longer period of your time is very unhealthy. Too much sitting is actually linked to diseases like diabetes, cancer, and even premature death. The best thing you can do to avoid sitting all the time is by taking frequent breaks. Stretch out, walk around or do some exercise, this way you can keep moving.
Get Dressed
No, you don’t need to suit up or wear your heels, but, as much as possible dress the part. Those jammies may be super comfy, and it’s okay to stay in them while working. However, there’s something about actually making time to get dress even though it’s casual clothes. It can motivate you to do more.
Go Out
It’s easy to get isolated when you work from home. To stay in touch and expand your horizon, go out. Yes, make time to go out. Make time for your family, friends, and even mingle with people. This will replenish your energy and boost your energy level. You can also opt for coworking space once in a while to connect with like-minded people.
Are you working remotely? Do you have any more smart work from home tips to share? Leave a comment below!
