My Decade Old Formula for Effective Work From Home
It was ten years ago when I decided to work as a freelancer.
The idea of working from home (WFH), or telecommuting, felt like a dream come true. But when the time came, I discovered that WFH was not the dream I imagined.
There were a lot of problems with the model. Many clients have no sense of making use of freelancers. They did not consider the difference of time zone despite of setting up a time frame of communication in the beginning.
Some kept changing their deliverables every single day. Some expected to revise the output gazillion times. I slowly learned why it was important to mention number of revisions in the service package.
However, despite of the short comes, right attitude and setting up terms of service can make life a lot better-even as a freelancer.
Here is my 10-Steps formula of effective work from home, especially for those under self-quarantine these days.
1. Availability of Equipment
The first thing to make sure is that all the necessary equipment is available. In these trying times, it is even more important to make sure not to have unnecessary visits outside.
If you’re asked for remote working, especially if it is for few weeks, ask the employer for the required gear. It does not mean you will get it, but don’t assume it’ll all be your responsibility.
Make sure the availability of the following:
- Computer
- Webcam
- Wireless Mouse/Keyboard
- USB Hub
- Any Software/Apps Needed
- Printer (if needed)
Arrange whatever you think is going to be required to perform your daily job functions smoothly.
2. Appropriate Work Space
A workspace is your temple when you’re working from home.
Just like a temple, you should be as in place as possible. I learned it the hard way by destroying my posture and giving myself a shoulder injury. It was great to stretch your feet abreast of the couch, but it gets uncomfortable fast.
Reserve a corner where your computer, files, and any supplies can stay, even when you are not working.
Make sure it is a quiet space. Away from the noise of the rest of the house and definitely not in a room with a television. Also, make certain there are many power outlets near your spot. And if possible, a door so you can lock out all the distractions. If you cannot have a door, find the quietest, most private place in your home.
The harder it will be for you to go back to distractions, the more number of hours you will work effectively.
3. Equip Your Workspace
If, unlike me, you’re out of the office just for few days, or even a couple of weeks, think twice before spending any money over your temporary setup. So, what are the can’t-live-without essentials?
When we try to adjust to a new environment, we try had to make it resemble to the previous one. But for a shorter span of time, it is much better to adjust with the new reality then spend a lot of money over things which you are unlikely to use in future.
A nice and comfortable chair, a laptop with better RAM, a second monitor- most probably, none of it is essential-with a capital E.
The only essentials are a laptop and an internet connection.
4. Make Sure Your Internet Meet Your Needs
All internet and Wi-Fi setups aren’t alike. The bandwidth you’ve got reception is perhaps slower than what you’re familiar with within the office. Test your internet speed, streaming, web conferencing (if possible), uploads and downloads speed.
If you would like faster speeds, try tweaking some settings. If that does not work, call your internet service provider to request a short lived increase in internet speeds.
Some providers will allow you to extend and later decrease your services with them.
Also, make certain your temporary office setup is in a neighborhood with strong Wi-Fi coverage. If necessary, consider installing a mesh network to enhance wireless coverage.
5. Manage Expectations
Working from home may mean there is a delay in your reaction time. You’ll not have access to all or some of the belongings you do at the office so it’d take longer to meet deadlines.
Communicate potential delays with co-workers, clients, and supervisors.
Set expectations for yourself and, therefore, for the people with whom you share space. It is important to set boundaries for your family to not get disturbed during the hours you’re employed.
6. Time Management
The lure of the kitchen, household chores, the tv, and the backyard is enough to distract anyone. Don’t fall for these distractions. It is easy to lose time once you work from home.
Keep a calendar, make a schedule, and track all of your meetings and appointments. Use to-do lists and task management or productivity apps to make yourself accountable.
Consider working with a time logging app to stay track of the amount of hours you’re working.
Some apps can track what you are doing on the PC like ActivTrak and FlexiSPY.
7. Video Conferencing Etiquette
- Turn on your camera: Unless it is a meeting where all you are doing is listen. Use a camera as a way of maintaining knowledgeable image and a way of physical presence.
- Mute your microphone: Your background sounds are amplified for everybody else so do the A favor and stay muted unless you’re speaking.
- Choose appropriate lighting: Participants will want to ascertain your face as they’re lecture you.
- Keep the background clean: you do not want your colleagues seeing all the clutter you haven’t had time to manage.
- Don’t wear your pajamas: The adage ‘Dress for success’ is important when you’re WFH. you’ll not need a 3 piece suit, but staying too casual will detract from your professional image and your productivity.
BONUS TIP: Configure your video conference software to mute by default when it starts.
8. Avoid Bad Habits
Anything that’s a no-no at work is going to be a no-no at work from home, too.
Research shows that employees lose 2 hours and 22 minutes everyday checking on social media. Many employers block social media sites because of that.
Unless it’s a part of your job, reserve it for your “after work” hours.
9. Stay Connected to Your Coworkers
How many times each day does one take an opportunity to work with your colleagues, share information, or escape from your desk?
But if you’re working from home, that’s tons harder to try to, but no smaller.
Collaboration is essential.
You almost certainly believe the strengths of your colleagues all the time when you’re at work. Don’t let the current situation stop that.
Use a collaboration tool, if necessary, but connect with the people that can assist you do your job better. Use an application like Slack — a messaging system for teams — to stay in-tuned with the coworkers.
Body language is a crucial and overlooked aspect of communication, especially at work. Use it appropriately to convey important non-verbal cues to your co-workers.
10. Above All Else: Be Flexible
Working from house is mostly about flexibility.
You would like to be ready to work amid distraction, roll with eleventh hour changes, and wade through poor communication from people. You’ll handle it!
Mistakes happen . The cat steers across your computer during a video conference. The dog barks. The delivery service brings a package. And your kids choose that exact moment to undertake to kill one another within the loudest, most embarrassing way possible.
It’s okay. Just adjust and keep moving forward.
Working from home is a lot like working at office.
However, the comforts we yearn for all day in the office become big barriers in productivity at home.
Just don’t forget that:
- Daily to-do list is your friend.
- Weekly schedule is your best friend.
- Self-accountability is your family.
