A Guide to Working from Home Effectively
Working from home is one of the main perks of being self-employed. Being able to choose when, where, and how to work, in a comfortable environment, is a luxury that grants you a massive amount of freedom. In this blog, we’ll cover the essential tips you need to know to make the most of this benefit and how to avoid some of the common issues with working from home.
Plan your time
Flexibility is often the main reason people choose to work from home. Not having to stick to a rigid 9-5 structure means you can work at the times that suit your lifestyle best.
The only danger of this system is that a lack of consistency can lead to you either doing more or fewer hours than you initially anticipated. The best way to avoid this is to plan when you will be working at the beginning of each day. This allows you to easily keep track of how many hours you’ve done and can also be used to fit your work around your other responsibilities for the day.
Create a dedicated workspace
Separating work and leisure is essential to working from home effectively. It can be incredibly hard to focus on your work in an environment that your brain usually correlates with relaxing.
To solve this, create a space in your home, whether that be a dedicated office room or simply a seat at the kitchen table, that is solely for the purpose of working. By doing so, you’re actively separating the activities of work and leisure, helping you to concentrate whilst in your work environment, and allowing you to fully switch off during your free time.
Ensure your workspace has everything you need to be productive. A stable internet connection, laptop, work phone, and any other supplies you need should all be easily accessible so you can remain focused for longer.
Limit distractions
It’s easy to become distracted when working from home. Between the ever-growing mountain of housework, limitless entertainment available at the press of a button via your TV and other electronics, and other people that you may share your home with, it may seem impossible to actually get any work done! There are, however, some quick wins you can make in the fight for your attention:
- Remove the personal tech – Your smartphone and any other focus-stealing devices that aren’t needed for your work should be kept far from your desk.
- No to notifications – Any remaining technology should be given a notification detox. Social media and personal emails are often the biggest offenders, so make sure those are muted before you start working.
- Prevent interruptions – Inform anyone that you live with of when and where you will be working so that they don’t disturb you.
- Neighbours mowing the lawn? – Investing in some noise-cancelling headphones will not only allow you to listen to music or white noise while you work but more importantly, will prevent excess noise from breaking your concentration.
Take care of yourself
Working effectively isn’t just about getting a certain amount of distraction-free hours in during the day, it’s also about maintaining your well-being.
Remember to take breaks every now and then. If you notice your mind wandering and your productivity dipping, get up and stretch your legs, get some fresh air, make a cup of coffee – taking a few minutes for a break will reset your focus and get you ready to continue with the day.
Taking care of your physical well-being is equally important. Make sure you have enough light (even better if it’s natural light) in your workspace to reduce the effects of the screen on your eyes. If you tend to work from your sofa for long periods of time, consider using a chair instead to improve your posture. Little changes like these will make working from home more comfortable in the long term which in turn boosts concentration.
Working from home? Aardvark can help
As a business owner working from home, there’s a lot on your plate. Why not remove your business accounting from that list of worries? At Aardvark Accounting, we’re here to help you with all your business accounting needs and provide a direct line to your dedicated accountant for any questions you may have. Plus, with FreeAgent software included, you can keep on top of your business finances from wherever you choose to work. Get in touch today to find out more about how we can support your business.
Note: All the information and advice in this blog post was correct at the time of writing.