When you take the plunge to work from home, everything is rosy. Not only will you be the boss, but you’ll be successful too. Plus, there are bonuses such as scheduling working hours and revolving work around life. Usually, it’s the other way around.
Then, after a couple of weeks, reality hits. Working from home is nice, but it’s a lot harder than first imagined. Frankly, the business is struggling and it is vulnerable. You can give in and call it a day. Or, you can find a way to be more effective and efficient. After all, doing the right things at the right times is the only way to get the company off the ground.
If you want to turn the firm’s fortunes around, here are the hacks to make it happen.
Start Early
The temptation to start work at midday and make up the hours is strong. However, regardless of who the boss is, science doesn’t lie. And, your body clock says you are a better, more productive person in the morning and early afternoon. As the day wears on, the mind and body begin to tire and productivity suffers. So, working from 1pm to 8pm. is not a good idea. The trick is to get up early as usual and begin around 9am. For a treat, you may start at 9:30am and get an extra 30 minutes off the clock. Another benefit of starting earlier is routine. Everyone has one, and most people’s centres around a 9-5. The sooner you get into a positive routine, the quicker the results will start to show.
Go Into “The Office”
You won’t go into the office, but you can make pretend. Some people who work from home even like to add little features which remind them of their former workplace. Of course, a window and natural light never hurt anyone, so don’t go overboard! The logic is simple: encouragement. When a worker has to put on clothes, make breakfast and leave the house, they commit to going into work. Their brain tells them it’s happening and so they continue on their merry way. Home-based bosses are different because there is no work attire or leaving the house. Therefore, it’s easier to fall into bad habits, such as staying in bed. Try wearing smart-casual clothes and working from a coffee shop and get the blood pumping again.
Only Make Necessary Changes
One of the advantages of working from home is flexibility. However, the key is not to bend too much and break. The most significant mistake for a home worker is making small changes to their routine. “Honey, can you pick up the dry cleaning?” “Babe, can you work downstairs and listen out for the delivery man?” It’s easy to say “yes, of course, dear,” but it’s not a savvy move. Both of the scenarios above are changes other people want you to make for their benefit. Sadly, none of them help you in any way expect to mess up the day. It sounds harsh, but you have to say no to people who aren’t a worthy cause. Picking up the children from school is a yes, but waiting for the repairman all day is a firm no.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
Workers whose base is home complain about struggling to get things done. Many people take this as a sign that they don’t work hard enough. So, when it’s your turn, you’ll work doubly hard to earn the moolah. Commendable, but that isn’t how it works. Pulling double shifts and working the brain and body to the bone are sure-fire ways to break down. Instead, you should do less yet focus on the things which are the most important. That way, there will be a foundation for success which you can expand on later down the line. Does writing emails and taking calls not feel like work? Well, it is because the outcome of the negotiations could generate leads and bring in new clients. As long as the main things get completed by the end of the day, everything should be fine. A tip: write down a list of daily activities with the main ones at the top.
Keep It Clean
Working from home doesn’t make you a slob, so don’t act like one. Some people are messy by design, which is fine. How you work is your decision and you should do what’s best for number one. Still, there is a line which shouldn’t get crossed. What you hear next is not going to sound good, but it’s necessary. An excellent way to encourage success is to clean the office once a day. There is no need for a spring clean because ten to twenty minutes will suffice. All you need is commercial cleaning equipment and plenty of elbow grease. The trick is to keep clutter to a maximum and keep the surroundings smelling fresh. A messy office breeds untidy and disorganised work. A smelly office? Well, it’s just plain disgusting! A fantastic tip is never to eat or drink in the workplace. If you need a coffee or a slice of toast, go downstairs and take a break.
Have A Kit Kat
Bosses who work from home hate taking breaks. It makes them feel as if they are slacking off and being counterproductive. Studies, though, show a different side to taking a break. According to numerous sources, it is better to take frequent breaks over a long day. The reason is the brain gets tired if it has to deal with too much info. For it to work adequately, it needs a short rest to recharge and refresh. Corporate businesses don’t buy into the idea because it doesn’t suit their needs. However, scientists are not wrong and they strongly recommend the tactic. Don’t go overboard and take a break every ten minutes because that is slacking off. But, after every hour or so, give the eyes a rest and stretch the legs. Your brain will thank you for giving it a respite.
Mostly, a routine is pivotal to a productive home business. Without it, there is no structure or framework to follow.
