Work Efficiently From Home With These Simple Tips

We have found ourselves working more from home these days, which can be a tough transition for some. So how do you make the switch from living space to workspace? Here’s some great tips on how to make your experience working from home pleasant and more efficient.

Keep A Routine

It’s easy to hit that snooze button when you are working from home, but it is best to stick to a routine. When you have a set routine, it helps create a sense of normalcy. So set the alarm clock, wake up, get dressed, grab a cup of coffee and head to your office. Keep regular business hours as much as possible. We know it’s easy to sleep in or work late but keeping a consistent 8am-5pm schedule helps with productivity and gives you a good work life balance.

Limit Distractions

There are going to be lots of distractions when you work from home. The dog needs to go out, the kids want a playmate, or the lawn needs mowed. Have a dedicated workspace, so it is clear to everyone in the household you are “at work” while in that room and set boundaries so everyone in the household understands your expectations while you are busy working.

Working from home with children can add another challenge, so set up a schedule with your spouse on who takes care of the children on which days of the week. Or split the time into half days – you watch the children in the morning and your spouse watches them after lunch.

Take Breaks

Just because you are working from home, it doesn’t mean you can’t take breaks. Take breaks for the same period of time you would normally take while at the office. Go grab another cup of coffee or a snack from the pantry, put a load of laundry in the washer – anything that gets you away from the computer for small increments of time. And don’t forget lunch! It’s easy to sit at your computer and work through lunch, but it’s important to keep a designated lunch hour. Go grab lunch and sit outside to get some fresh air or fill that hour walking the dog or reading a book. This time helps you recharge, so you are ready to tackle the rest of the workday. If you tend to get caught up in work and forget to take breaks, set an alarm as a reminder.

Dedicated Workspace

It can be easy to sit down on the couch with your laptop as the tv is playing in the background, but these distractions can lead you to feel overwhelmed. Make sure you have a designated office space, so it feels like you are going into work. If you are limited on rooms in the home, dedicate a specific desk or table as your new space. But the best scenario is a home office. That’s why we have several home plans with optional dens or offices for those individuals that work from home. Home offices provide you with ample storage space, adequate outlets for computers and other electronics and a quiet area for teleconferencing or phone calls.

It’s easy to work from home when you follow these tips. And when you’re ready to start looking for a new home with the perfect office to fit your needs, Simplicity Homes is here to help. If you have questions about which home plans include offices, please reach out and we’ll point you in the right direction.