HOME WORK: TIPS FOR WORKING FROM HOME AND STAYING SANE
I’ve worked in a lot of offices over the years, from noisy newsrooms, to dingy cubicles to fancy wood-paneled executive suites. But now I work from home, and I love it.
I save valuable time (no long commute in traffic) and money (my home-made cappuccino doesn’t cost $5). Plus I have the flexibility of choosing my own schedule.
Working from a home office does have its downside though. There’s the isolation of not having co-workers to chat with. I don’t have an office tech – if my printer isn’t working or the Internet goes down, there isn’t a guy down the hall I can call. And it can be difficult to separate work time from personal life.
But I have learned a few tricks of the trade over the past couple of years to improve my productivity and make working from home more enjoyable. These are all common sense tips, yet most of them I learned the hard way — through trial and error!
Keep professional and personal spaces separate.
When I first started working from home, I often used the dining room table or the couch as my “office.” Bad idea. My work ended up scattered all over the house and I was always disorganized. Plus, I spent too many nights stressed out staring at unfinished piles of work that seemed to follow me through every room of the house. So I converted a spare room into an office. This makes is easier to shift between ‘at work’ and ‘at home’ mode. When I go in my office and close the door it forces me to concentrate on the task at hand – not the laundry or the messy kitchen. It also helps the people you live with respect your boundaries: when you are in your home office hopefully they will leave you alone!
Invest in office essentials.
A comfortable and efficient office is a necessity, not a luxury. You don’t have to spend tons of money but you need to invest in a few essentials, such as a good chair and bright lighting
Trust me, if your back is killing from hunching over a table you aren’t going to be very productive.
Get organized.
If you work in a space that looks like a tornado just hit, it can be difficult to concentrate and focus. You also waste a lot of time. Spending an hour looking for a missing file is frustrating and not productive – especially when you have a deadline! Take take every day to put away files and organize. Stores like IKEA offer great organizing options, such as stackable storage boxes
I also like whiteboards and large desktop calendars to plan out my work schedule visually. Keep lots of office supplies on hand so you aren’t running around the house looking for a stapler five minutes before a deadline!
Make a schedule.
When I first started working from home I would do some work, then putter around the house, then head back to work, then stop to water the plants ... I think you’re getting the idea. Procrastination is way too easy when you work from home. I found that I had to establish office hours, make a list of daily tasks and assign myself specific and limited break times. Sure, there’s room for flexibility but you need some ground rules.
Know the rules.
There are some great financial perks that go along with working from a home office, in terms of writing off a portion of your mortgage, phone, and other household expenses when you do your yearly tax return. But the Canada Revenue Agency is strict about what home office expenses you can and can’t deduct so become familiar with the rules or get a good accountant who does. Visit canadabusiness.ca, to find out what you need to know.
Don’t isolate yourself.
It’s easy to fall into a routine where you do all your business by phone or e-mail and never actually leave the house. But it isn’t healthy, mentally or professionally. Schedule face-to-face meetings with clients whenever possible. It helps establish relationships and often leads to better discussions. It also stops you from turning into a hermit!
Find ways to connect with peers in a similar line of work. Join a small business networking group Or find a professional association where you can meet with others, make connections and share ideas. It will keep you inspired and keep you sane!
Book days off.
You can fall into the habit of working seven days a week when your office is the room across the hall. And that will leave you feeling bitter, exhausted and ready to pack it all in. I’ve had that feeling on several occasions – usually when I find myself working on a bright and sunny long weekend!
Brighten your workspace.
Add some zest to your office by accessorizing with plants, posters or whatever makes your space feel brighter, warmer and cheery. It’s important that your office is a place you actually want to work in!
Cheryl Binning, Vancouver freelance writer
A Vancouver-based business, entertainment, TV and digital media writer.
www.twitter.com/cherylbinning
