5 tips to help organise your day when working from home
One of the joys of working from home is not having to worry about travelling. There is nothing worse than getting stuck in traffic jams or having train cancellations which makes an already long and busy day even longer.
But have you noticed that there are other factors that are involved when you do work from? It may be having to juggle childcare while working on client projects or dealing with housework, deliveries and people dropping by unexpectantly which can impact on your working day.
Here are some tips to help you organise your day when working from home.
Have a dedicated workspace
Set aside a place in your home as your work area with all the equipment and stationery that you will need to complete your tasks. Having an area that is neat and tidy helps to get in the right mode for working. It is also nice to be able to switch off the computer and close the door and focus on other things when you have finished for the day.
Have set working hours
One of the reasons that you may have left your job is to get away from the 9-5 grind and to have more flexibility. But having some routine and set hours will keep you keep focused. If you are better working early in the morning, then having a break to go to the gym, then do that. If you are better working later and can spend time with your family in the morning, then do that. Being flexible and working at times that suit your lifestyle, is why so many people work from home.
Plan out your day
Have your plans for today written out yesterday. By having a list of your day planned out ahead is a great way to be productive and feel organised. You can use your calendar to plan out your day and week including events for your family which can be colour coded and easy to see what is planned at a glance.
Use a to-do list
Whether it is a pen and piece of paper or an online tool, making a list of the tasks that need to be completed each day will help you keep on track. There are so many different tools and ways to use a to-do list and it will only work if you use it. You can mark items by priority and focus on completing the one task that must be done, first and then follow that with some quick win tasks. Quick win tasks are great to do when you are flagging and will help give you a boost when you cross a few off your list.
Work-Life Balance
It is important to schedule in some breaks so you can recharge your batteries. Have your lunch away from your workspace, go for a walk so you can switch off and get ready for a productive afternoon.
At the end of your working day, you can give your to-do list a once-over to see what needs to be transferred over to tomorrow and make a note of the next batch of tasks ready to be completed.
How do you go about organising your day when you work from home?