Working From Home: 5 Useful Tips and Habits

Working from home often means less commuting, flexible working hours and comfort; all of which can impact positively on productivity. You will, however, need to take heed of various pit falls in order to avoid falling into bad habits and stagnation. Here are some tips on creating the right sort of space and mind-set to succeed.

1. Leave time for preparation and contemplation. There’s a process that each one of us go through on a commute to work, namely contemplating the day ahead and making mental notes on how to approach tasks. The benefits of mental preparation for physical tasks have long been known, as per this article in the Journal of Sports Science, and the principles are the same for business. This sort of preparation can be key to meeting daily challenges. Similarly, reflection is also an oft forgotten element in bringing an important idea to fruition. Picking holes in an idea can also test it for durability.

Ideas usually come to us when we are resting

A school run or dog to walk present perfect opportunities in making sure you don’t roll out of bed and into your daily tasks. If you don’t have these responsibilities then you can create a split between leisure and work time by going for a brisk walk. Time spent in the garden might also be of benefit.

Japanese of Shinto tradition purify the mind and body before meeting others. Following suit will keep you fresh and ready for meeting the challenges that the day might present.

2. Create the right space. Office workers often adorn their desk with memories of family and home. As a home worker, you would do well to reverse this tendency to create a professional room or corner. Should you not have access to a room but instead be restricted to a corner of an existing living space then small motivational artwork, a work logo, or any other paraphernalia can bring back a wondering focus. Keeping business cards on your desk for instance will provide differentiation. You could also hang adverts and banners or stickers produced for your business on a wall in order to keep your eye on your goals.

Also, and this goes without saying, ease of access to a TV or couch are best restricted;  unless, of course, you are working as a psychoanalyst or public affairs consultants.

3. Don’t make it a lonely venture. Would you base your whole business on one client? Hopefully not as this would mean you are too dependent on one source for your business’ survival. The same principles apply to how much of your success you pin on your own performance. While it is inevitable that you will be the focal point, try to outsource some of your work, however little it is.

While keeping overheads down might be one of the reasons for running your business from home, another team member can be an important factor which keeps moving in the right direction. Added commitment from another party can make the process more fulfilling and can add much needed perspective. There are many freelancers out there who can share your passions and, potentially, your business’ success.

4. Dress yourself and your room for it. Dressing for success  needn’t be just a salesperson’s motto. The same psychological self-imaging which means a sales person might approach a potential client with more confidence could also impact on your approach to non-sales related tasks. Furthermore, appearance is just as important if you are going to be communicating by conference call.

Similarly, try to have your computer facing a part of the house which is less cluttered and or aesthetically pleasing. Remember, your webcam is part of the window dressing of your company. Any apprehension as to as to how your client might perceive you, or the space that you work in, might affect your decision-making and readiness to engage effectively. You never know when an important client might request an urgent internet based call. Being ready to accept it could define your relationship and your bottom line.

By Mario Habenbacher

5. If things become stale, take it to the coffee shop. A recent study by the Journal of Consumer Researchfound that background coffee shop noise can stimulate intelligence and increase productivity. Hitting a brick wall with a proposal, concept or any other aspect of your business could well do with a short trip for an intake of caffeine. This would also help in not becoming too attached to your home office and, inevitably, might mean that you dress for the occasion (as above). The beauty of working from home is that you can choose how often you make such excursions.  Your chosen venue might also become a suitable spot for meeting and greeting clients – an outer house for your office and a place to hand out business cards in order to grow your business organically.