Working at home comes with lots of benefits like wearing slippers all day and being your own boss, but it’s important to have an effective organization plan to make it profitable. These days, you may also find yourself working from home thanks to the pandemic. These strategies for organizing your workday and environment will help you meet your goals no matter the reason you’re working from home.

Strategies for Organizing Your Workday

• Set a starting time. Punctuality counts even when you report to yourself. Determine a realistic time when you can be ready to get down to business each morning.
• Give yourself a quitting time. Hold onto your leisure and family time. It’s just as important to establish an end to your work day. In the long run, maintaining productivity usually means avoiding excessive overtime.
• Leave room for breaks. Give yourself a chance to take a breather and socialize. Stay connected by arranging lots of lunch dates. Pause during the day for meals, exercise and rest.
• Put your daily calendar in writing. Organize your tasks and meetings onto a daily calendar. It will help you to juggle your workload and take on the most challenging jobs at the time of day when you feel most alert.
• Fill out a timesheet. There’s a good reason why many companies ask their employees to hand in their timesheets. You’ll be able to track how your time really gets spent.
• Keep regular sleep hours. You might be tempted to stay up until all hours because there’s no morning commute ahead of you. In reality, you still need a full night’s sleep to be at your best.
• Pay yourself back. Sick days and car repairs will sometimes interfere with your plans. Be flexible. You can always make the time up when things calm down.
• Consider your individual needs. Depending on the nature of your business, you may be able to ignore the usual nine to five protocol. On the other hand, ensure you are still accessible to clients and colleagues during the hours when they need to reach you.
• Evaluate yourself. Track how you’re doing. Give yourself a monthly review to identify any improvements that would be helpful.

Strategies for Organizing Your Environment

• Designate a specific work area. Having a home office or at least some space devoted exclusively to business makes it easier to focus on professional activities. Once you pick your spot, the setting itself will help remind you to focus on your job.
• Notify your family. Enlist the support of your whole household. Ask your spouse and kids to minimize interruptions. Let them know the best time to contact you on workdays. Post a reminder on your office door during conference calls or other times when you need to avoid disturbances.
• Limit visitors and errands. You may also need to notify your neighbors that working at home still means you are working. It’s nice to be helpful and hospitable, but ensure your day remains manageable.
• Get a partner. Many professionals who work at home find it helpful to link up with each other. You can schedule a daily call to discuss how things are going. Knowing that you’ll be giving even an informal report may provide the motivation you need to keep your mind on your accomplishments.

You can wear your pajamas and still be a professional. Develop a viable schedule for the work you do at home and stick to it. It’s a great way to enjoy your independence while you provide for yourself and your family.

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