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Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by Work In My Pajamas
So you want to work from home? That’s great, but it isn’t easy and requires great discipline. If you are like me and spent most of your working life in retail getting crapped on every day, then this might be a great route. I’ll share with you the problems I faced when I first started, mind you that not everyone will experience the same issues I did.
In This Post:
Work Ethic
Now that you work from the comfort of home, your job most likely doesn’t really have a strict schedule, so you’re forced to rely on logic to get yourself up in the morning. My advice, get up at a normal time of about 9am. Eat breakfast, have some coffee (or pop/soda, if you’re like me), and set some goals and personal deadlines if your job doesn’t already do that for you.
Distractions
Try to work in an area without a TV, you can listen to music; but remember to designate an area just for work. By making sure you don’t focus on anything but the task that needs to get accomplished, you increase productivity.
Tidiness
It is highly important to keep your work space clean and neat, a messy work space is a noisy workspace. It’s that noise that can make it distracting and prevent you from getting your work done. Remember to try to keep your work space clean and only have work related stuff around you so as to not tempt and distract you from getting your job done.
Breaks
Use breaks only when you get stuck, and make sure they don’t last too long or else it will make it that much harder to get back to work. I recommend having a handheld gaming device next to you since it’s instant on feature allows you to quickly jump in and out of your favorite games. This is also nice since it’s not tied to the TV and because of that cuts out the temptation to get engrossed in a show.
Personal Errands
This refers to your personal errands that you have to run. These include going to the grocery store for food and other things that you have or want to do. Try to fulfill your goals for the day, before setting out on your personal errands. This allows you to remain focused. If you can’t do that since it’s a doctor’s appointment or other extenuating circumstances, then if you can get back to work immediately if this is your only means of income.
Dual Monitors
This is an odd one, but if you’re a writer like me then this is a valuable thing to have. Sometimes one screen isn’t enough to display your resource materials and your word processor at the same time. What I do is designate one screen for the resources/websites I’m using as references, and the other for typing. If you are working on a laptop and using an external monitor like I am, then I suggest you use that extra screen for the references and the laptop’s for the word processor. It will make your task easier.
Juggling
If your home job is a secondary job, and only a means to supplement your income then take your primary job into consideration too. You don’t want to stay up late working on projects for your “at home” job, then go into work the next day exhausted and unable to perform your tasks. That’s a great way to get fired, so just manage your time.
Time Management
If your new job is very project oriented, then managing time is important. A great rule of thumb is that; if something takes longer than 30 minutes and still doesn’t yield any results, take a break. This allows you to collect your thoughts and attack your problem with fresh eyes and maybe a new perspective. Inspiration comes in many forms, and most of the time, unexpected ones at that. If after the break you can’t think of anything then pass on it (if you can) or work on a new project. That way you can at least make some progress and get paid without losing a day’s of work with nothing to show for it.
Hope these tips helped. Just remember to stay focused and enjoy your new found freedom.
About the Author: Heather Green is a freelance writer for several regional magazines in North Carolina as well as a resident blogger for onlinenursingdegrees.org. Her writing experience includes fashion, business, health, agriculture and a wide range of other topics. Heather has just completed research on healthcare admin degrees and online physical therapy aide programs.