More and more people are working from home, trying to strike the ideal balance between work and life. Working from home is a lifestyle adjustment that isn’t always easy, so we’ve previously published some points to help you on the way. Here are some more ideas that are especially important if you work from home, but can also help you in any work situation.
Stay Organized
Everyone will find their own system that works best for them, but here’s what I do: to-do lists. Whenever a new task or something to remember pops up, I write it down. I used to keep to-do lists in my head, or not go into as much detail, but putting a bit more in writing clears up brain space for other things, and greatly decreases the likelihood of forgetting something.
Each morning I look at what I can tackle for the day and put those tasks at the top of the list in priority order. It may take a while to learn to gauge how long certain tasks will take for you, but by tracking your time you can get a better feel for it. I usually prioritize by deadline and move tasks around to fit into work hours for the day.
I also keep a simple text file with details (like milestones, logins) for all projects I’m currently on as an overview. The different levels of organization help me keep a big picture view and zoom in for details. Project management apps can do that too, but if you use them with your team or clients, they can get cluttered. Not only does keeping my own lists keep me organized, I find that the simple act of writing things down helps with remembering them.
Stay Productive
The best way to be productive is to just do the work. Sounds simple, but sometimes it can be hard. How do you feel when you put off work, or avoid doing things you know you should be doing? You might have the nagging feeling that there is something you should be doing, or something that you are forgetting. The more you put things off, the more the pressure builds. Simple little tasks start to look overwhelming. Procrastination is a downward spiral and, like with any habit, the more you repeat it the harder it is to break. Imagine how good it will be to have the weight your to-do list lifted, and start actually doing those items. Form a new habit of doing, and you will feel happier and healthier.
Sometimes, even with the best of intentions, you may find yourself dreading some important task or wanting to put off work. In that case, I suggest productive (or structured) procrastination.
Stay Motivated
My daily to-do lists are essentially daily goals. Sometimes I celebrate reaching those goals with little rewards! It doesn’t have to cost money or be something you do every day. For example, a nice warm bubble bath at the end of a long day feels like a reward. Keeping a box of bite-sized chocolates around to snack on after crossing off a to-do works, too.
When you enjoy your work, just knowing you’re doing a good job is enough. Other times, you may give yourself a little push to accomplish things by telling yourself you can have ___ if you complete your tasks. If you have a hard time keeping yourself accountable, enlist the help of a friend or family member.
Stay organized, productive and motivated! It sounds simple, but really requires some self-discipline that, if you don’t have, you can learn.
What challenges have you faced regarding working from home or any of the above points?
