How Can I Work From Home Successfully?

Working from home gives you more time to do the things you love. However, over the last five years, many mistakes have been made while transitioning into remote work, so let me share how to be a successful remote worker.

The word ‘successful’ is subjective, and for me, success means making sure that lifestyle and work are treated equally. That’s not what all employers want to hear, but it is important to me.

So, to answer the question, how can I work from home successfully?

Routine is Important

The truth is, when working in the office environment, my fight with routine was constant. When transitioning into a remote worker, it became apparent very quickly that you need a work routine to have a work-life balance.

The routine does not have to be strict. You can have a different work routine on Monday and Friday than the rest of the week. Some employers will enforce a routine, but a well-run Remote company will realize the benefits of having a productive workforce. They will allow their employees to work and meet the demands of daily life.

It will take time, but figure out when you are the most productive and discuss a routine with your employer or clients that suits all parties.

Dedicated Workspace

A dedicated workspace within your home has many benefits. It helps reduce distractions, and your household knows you are working when sitting at your desk and should not be distracted. If you can close a door within this space, then that’s ideal.

For your mindset, when sitting at your desk, you are in work mode. Try not to work on the sofa in the living room because there will be too many distractions, like the TV. Make sure that the workspace is comfortable and you’re not hunched over.

Think about the long-term impact working from home can have on your body. It’s advised to buy an ergonomic chair to keep your back straight. Working on a laptop can require bending over to view the monitor and keyboard, so purchase a laptop stand so the screen is at eye level.

Socialise with Family and Friends

As mentioned before, isolation is an issue when working from home, so make sure you socialize with family and friends. At the time of writing, we are experiencing COVID-19, so meeting family and friends is not an option. That said, messaging apps like WhatsApp are great at helping us keep in touch with loved ones.

Visit your favorite coffee shop, read, and socialize with people around you. When events start again, look for activities on sites like Meetup.com. Make new friends who have interests similar to yours.

Switch Off From Work

Connecting to work is easy since the laptop is nearby continuously, and the temptation is to check emails. However, as a remote worker, setting expectations with your employer is essential. If you start responding to emails outside of your working hours, they will always expect this.

You will use the laptop for non-work activities, so make sure any notifications are disabled. You do not want to be interrupted while listening to relaxing music on Spotify or watching Star Trek on Netflix.

Some employers will take advantage of your work from home and contact you outside of work hours. If this happens continuously, inform them of your working hours and that you are unavailable.

As an employee, you want flexibility, and your employer will require the same. I’d appreciate it if working a different timezone to support colleagues, but please make sure that your employer is not taking advantage.

Set expectations, especially when freelancing, because many clients feel they can access you 24/7.

Look After Your Health

Your health is essential, especially if you are a contractor or freelancer who does not get paid when ill.

Take regular breaks for fresh air and to clear your head. Try to build a routine around exercise: go for a fast-paced walk around a local park, play a sport, or take a photo walk, one of my favorite activities.

In between work, walk around your home and stretch your arms and legs. Sitting in one place for an extended period is not recommended. You’re no longer working in an office where your colleagues question where you are when you’re not sitting at your desk.

To help with the isolation, grab your laptop and head to a local coffee shop or co-working space for a couple of hours. Jump on a Zoom call with a colleague and discuss a work project, or just ask them how they are.

What is Next?

Hopefully, this guide has helped you work from home successfully. How about subscribing to my free weekly remote work email, the Hive? Every month, you will receive an email with lots of content like this.