How To Work At Home

Step 1: Get Up And Get Dressed!

It's hard to get your work on when you're still in bed. Get up, get in the shower, and get dressed. You're at home, so you don't have to dress up, but putting on clothes helps you feel professional, and hopefully, will keep you from going back to bed! Some people can work in PJs with no problem, but clearly, you're not one of them, so avoid temptation to let yourself go!

Step 2: Make A Schedule And Follow It!

You have a calendar. Now use it! Make yourself a schedule and follow it. If you miss a task or time gets away from you, modify your schedule accordingly and stay with it. Schedule in everything from phone calls to free time to ensure that work gets done when it needs to be done.

Step 3: Be Strict With Yourself!

Now that your boss isn't looking over your shoulder, you have to take responsibility for yourself. Figure out what distracts you from working, and avoid it at all costs. Put your TV in another room. Stay off the couch and work in a proper desk chair. Hire a babysitter to watch your kids. Finish five work tasks before you do a household chore. No one ever said working at home would be easy, but a little self-discipline can make all the difference!

Step 4: Make Yourself Accountable!

Set goals for yourself every morning, then assess how you did at the end of every day. Give your boss regular status reports and stay in touch with your co-workers in the office. If you realize you're not pulling the telecommuting thing off, admit it and talk to your boss about going back to the office, or ask for help with managing your workload.

Step 5: Schedule In Downtime!

Working at home can make you feel cut off. Avoid cabin fever. Schedule time away from home every day, even if it's just a trip to the grocery store. Exercise can clear your head; so can lunch with a friend. Sometimes, you just need to step away, so when you get back to work, you're fresh and ready to make it happen.