7 Tips : Working Effectively From Home

Working from home definitely has it’s perks. Losing the commute, saving money on gas and clothing, as well as the ability to structure your day differently than you might at an office, without the typical office environment. That being said – the very loss of a workplace structure can be difficult navigate and your productivity can suffer.

Try Not to Blend Home and Work

As a work from home mom, it can be tempting to tackle some of my home responsibilities with work ones. For a while, I tried to do it all – cleaning up the house, laundry and even meal prep in between conference calls and work activities. I set myself up to fail that way — as I became overwhelmed very quickly. Now, I set work hours and tackle only work related things during that time.

Get Organized

Without an office environment and the structure that comes with that, you will need to be more organized on your own. Find a filing system that works for you and create a daily to-do list. It can be tempting to just ‘go with the flow’ when you work from home, but things can quickly build-up or get lost in the shuffle.

Create a daily ‘to-do’ list to align with your calendar and goals.

Have a Designated Work Space

Always try to have a designated workspace. If this can be a separate office, room or desk that is just for work – great. If you live in a small space, consider options for how you can distinguish your living space from your workspace. Sitting on the couch in front of the TV is not going to be a productive space and blurs the lines between home and work. Additionally, invest a little in the space. Make it comfortable and personalize it to be an appealing place to work.

Set a Schedule

Determine work hours, if your employer has not already outlined them or if you work for yourself. Make sure your family and friends understand that even though you are at home, you are working. A designated work space (see above) always helps with this – and not one that does double-duty as your children’s main play space or a family gathering spot.

It also helps to maintain a routine so that you are more efficient and productive. Get up the same time every day, have a morning routine just like you would if you needed to leave for an office. Get dressed and “leave for work.”

Keep it Professional for Meetings

If you meet with clients, make sure you have a space that is professional, or choose a location that is. The same can be said of video conferencing. People will notice your background – so make sure the space is well-lit and professional (i.e. not having your children’s messy playroom or a living space/kitchen as a backdrop).

Keep Your Technology Updated

You want to make sure you have all the capabilities that those in an office do. Keep your technology up-to-date – laptop, phone or any supplemental pieces of equipment you might use. Whatever you are lacking, make sure that you have a resource close by to help fill in the gaps (i.e. office center store or library).

Ensure Good Connectivity

When you’re working from home, it’s critical that you maintain Wifi connectivity – not only to complete tasks, but also to stay in contact with your co-workers, clients and boss. Losing connectivity can mean interrupted video conferences, inability to download important files or difficulty using work-related programs and websites. Once you have the Wi-Fi you need, you also want to make sure you can get uninterrupted service throughout your entire home, particularly in your designated work space.

My home office is one corner of the the house and it always seems to get spotty connectivity. I also had been wanting to improve our connectivity when upstairs. Despite having a designated work space, it’s nice to have the option to move around your home and maintain solid Wi-Fi connection. This is especially useful when you have young kids – sometimes you may get pulled out of your designated workspace to be with your children. (I say this from experience – writing this at night, from the end of my daughter’s bed, after she had a bad dream!)

Improving my connectivity was easy with the Deco M5 Wi-Fi system – a Whole Home Wi-Fi System.

This system covers your whole home with uninterrupted internet access, allowing you to surf, stream and download on a safe, reliable connection. I also love that TP-Link HomeCare offers robust parental controls allowing you to manage and monitor access of network services, regardless of applications or URLs, for children by time allowance, even when you’re not home. It is the best mesh networking solution for your work-from-home lifestyle.