When I made the switch from an office to my apartment, a lot had to change. What I did during the day was up to me and so was my growth. It was hard at the beginning but I loved the change and it has helped me a lot.
Now, I want to share with you, some tips that are very important when you are working from home.
1. Avoid getting distracted by social media
Sometimes I even turn all notifications off, because I check the phone for one app and end up checking all other apps. I receive a what's app chat, then Facebook. Next, I have a twitter DM and a couple snaps. I even uninstalled Snapchat, I don't get anything from that app that helps me or my business. Only distraction. Instagram? This one is even more difficult because I'm following amazing people and accounts and I love their pictures. I also need Instagram for my business. So I just control how much time I spend on the app.
2. If you live with you're family, they have to understand this is like any other job.
Very Important. Just because you are working from home, doesn't mean your job is less serious or that you are a hermit playing video games. And you're not suddenly available to go to the grocery store and pick up your little brother or nephews because you make your schedule. Help in whatever way you can, but your obligation is with your job if you are committed. If you are married, a couple "honey, I'm working" may need to be used.
3. Find a moment to leave the house and exercise.
This has been hard for me because I can spend a whole day working and finding information to learn. I love what I do so much that even though I have always been a very active person that plays all the time, now, I have to force myself to go out and exercise because my body needs it. Make sure you exercise and drink a lot of water.
4. Avoid TV at all cost.
I hate TV. The only time I watch TV is when I want to watch sports, which is once a week when my favorite Football team plays. TV is the mother of slackness(if that's even a word) and procrastination. When I decided I wanted to be an Entrepreneur and I committed to start my own business and work hard to achieve it, I stopped TV, Series and video games. TV keeps you from working and learning, and unless you have already achieved your goals. Ain't nobody got time for that.
5. Don't oversleep
Heheee. This one is hard. You are home, and you have no one telling you to wake up early. Dangerous if you like to sleep late. The morning hours are the best hours to work. I find that I make most of my day, the earlier I wake up. However, be careful with one thing, how late do you go to sleep. We entrepreneurs go to sleep late and we need our sleeping time. So make sure you keep a balance between how late you go to sleep and how early you wake up.
6. Treat your business like a business
Working from home doesn't make your business less of a business. It makes it maybe more comfortable. Try to create a schedule, write everything down and create a space in the house in which you feel like in a working environment.
7. Boost your skills up.
You are working from home so you may need to do and solve some problems yourself. So make the most of every opportunity you get to learn something new. If you are creating your business try to learn every little part of it. Spend time learning new skills. I try to find time to listen a conference about my field or an online course that looks interesting etc. Knowledge is sexy.
8. Don't work from bed unless is necessary
Taking the laptop to the bed and working from there is not recommendable. If you are working late, chances are that you are gonna fall asleep way faster than if you were sitting on a chair or a couch. Also it can be dreadful for your back. That's why I recommend setting yourself a little office at home. Work is work doesn't matter where you are and the more comfortable you are, the better and faster and longer you will work.
9. Office meetings vs Skype meetings.
They're exactly the same, the only difference is where they're taking place. So make sure you are dressing properly.
10. Enjoy the perks of working from home.
Finally, enjoy working from home. No one will tell you to lower the music. Or to put shoes on. Take breaks, do push ups, jump, sing out loud, give a motivational speech in front of the mirror, and be thankful for the opportunity. Right now is 11:45 AM. A lot of people are in their office wishing they were working from home. So if you are one of the lucky ones, make the most of it.
Working from home is not easy. No supervision and no one to force you get stuff done. Not everyone have what it takes to do so. So when you do it, reward yourself. You deserve it.
Now, I want to share with you, some tips that are very important when you are working from home.
1. Avoid getting distracted by social media
Sometimes I even turn all notifications off, because I check the phone for one app and end up checking all other apps. I receive a what's app chat, then Facebook. Next, I have a twitter DM and a couple snaps. I even uninstalled Snapchat, I don't get anything from that app that helps me or my business. Only distraction. Instagram? This one is even more difficult because I'm following amazing people and accounts and I love their pictures. I also need Instagram for my business. So I just control how much time I spend on the app.
2. If you live with you're family, they have to understand this is like any other job.
Very Important. Just because you are working from home, doesn't mean your job is less serious or that you are a hermit playing video games. And you're not suddenly available to go to the grocery store and pick up your little brother or nephews because you make your schedule. Help in whatever way you can, but your obligation is with your job if you are committed. If you are married, a couple "honey, I'm working" may need to be used.
3. Find a moment to leave the house and exercise.
This has been hard for me because I can spend a whole day working and finding information to learn. I love what I do so much that even though I have always been a very active person that plays all the time, now, I have to force myself to go out and exercise because my body needs it. Make sure you exercise and drink a lot of water.
4. Avoid TV at all cost.
I hate TV. The only time I watch TV is when I want to watch sports, which is once a week when my favorite Football team plays. TV is the mother of slackness(if that's even a word) and procrastination. When I decided I wanted to be an Entrepreneur and I committed to start my own business and work hard to achieve it, I stopped TV, Series and video games. TV keeps you from working and learning, and unless you have already achieved your goals. Ain't nobody got time for that.
5. Don't oversleep
Heheee. This one is hard. You are home, and you have no one telling you to wake up early. Dangerous if you like to sleep late. The morning hours are the best hours to work. I find that I make most of my day, the earlier I wake up. However, be careful with one thing, how late do you go to sleep. We entrepreneurs go to sleep late and we need our sleeping time. So make sure you keep a balance between how late you go to sleep and how early you wake up.
6. Treat your business like a business
Working from home doesn't make your business less of a business. It makes it maybe more comfortable. Try to create a schedule, write everything down and create a space in the house in which you feel like in a working environment.
7. Boost your skills up.
You are working from home so you may need to do and solve some problems yourself. So make the most of every opportunity you get to learn something new. If you are creating your business try to learn every little part of it. Spend time learning new skills. I try to find time to listen a conference about my field or an online course that looks interesting etc. Knowledge is sexy.
8. Don't work from bed unless is necessary
Taking the laptop to the bed and working from there is not recommendable. If you are working late, chances are that you are gonna fall asleep way faster than if you were sitting on a chair or a couch. Also it can be dreadful for your back. That's why I recommend setting yourself a little office at home. Work is work doesn't matter where you are and the more comfortable you are, the better and faster and longer you will work.
9. Office meetings vs Skype meetings.
They're exactly the same, the only difference is where they're taking place. So make sure you are dressing properly.
10. Enjoy the perks of working from home.
Finally, enjoy working from home. No one will tell you to lower the music. Or to put shoes on. Take breaks, do push ups, jump, sing out loud, give a motivational speech in front of the mirror, and be thankful for the opportunity. Right now is 11:45 AM. A lot of people are in their office wishing they were working from home. So if you are one of the lucky ones, make the most of it.
Working from home is not easy. No supervision and no one to force you get stuff done. Not everyone have what it takes to do so. So when you do it, reward yourself. You deserve it.