With everything going on in society right it can be a little hard to feel at ease or really know where to go from here. I am hearing about A LOT of companies and how they are sending their employees to work from home and thought it would be a perfect time to share some tips of what I've learned over the past 15 months working from home. I'll be the first to admit there are days I love it and then there are days I hate it, but these tips should explain exactly what I mean.
1. Create a separate office space. I am lucky enough to live in a 2 bedroom apartment so I have an actual room that is dedicated as my office space / guest room. I am able to close the door at night and treat it as a real office. For the first several months, I worked from my couch and it got old real fast. Not only is it super uncomfortable but I learned that I was actually less productive when I was on the couch. If you have the ability, get a desk and use it only for work. If you can't get a desk use a kitchen table or a lap desk, something that resembles a desk or separate space from the rest of your house. (the very top photo is my own personal office and the photos below it are work space inspirations from Pinterest!)
2. Create Normal Working Hours. I am still a salaried employee so I am expected to work from the hours of 9-5, but if you're freelance, create the same start and end time every day. Go to bed the same time every night and wake up the same time every morning, just like you would if you were going into an office every day. I've found this to be key in being a successful work at home employee. Also, another thing is because you work from home people might think you work at all hours, be diligent about shutting off your computer after work hours and not answering emails. I am still learning to do these things but its been a big stress reliever.
3. Take Breaks! The biggest thing I learned early on was just because I worked from home doesn't mean I lose out on breaks and especially a lunch break! In order to be effective you have to take care of yourself too. I would catch myself working right through lunch and all of the sudden it would be 5 pm and I hadn't had lunch. Luckily I have a dog at home so I am forced to take him out every 3 hours but if you have to set an alarm for your breaks and lunch, it will create a sense of normalcy for your day.
4. Create a Cheerful Work Space. This sort of goes back to #1 but creating an environment that makes your creativity flow and encourages you to be successful is super important. For me it was cleaning a clean white canvas with photos that inspired me and things I love. Also don't ever stop changing the space. The space has to evolve as you evolve! It's been a year since I decorated mine and I am ready to freshen it up again!
5. Have Supplies On Hand! Yes, working from home you think oh I won't need this or that like I have in an actual office, but that's not always the case! I thought I didn't need office supplies since I was working solely from my computer, but over time that's changed. I keep my planner next to me as well as a notebook, highlighters and pens close by! Also getting an external monitor if you have a laptop is truly the best investment! Mine is just over $100 and works perfectly with my 2019 Macbook Air!
I hope these tips give you a little more insight to work from home! I am still learning new stuff everyday so if y'all have anything to add, please comment and let me know! Hope everyone has a fab weekend!
So until next time... Live Stylishly
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