Working from home may sound like the ultimate dream come true. No commute, no dress code, no interruptions from coworkers. But the reality is, successfully working from home is a skill that takes time and commitment to develop. As Alex Turnbull, the founder of Groove, said, “Successfully working from home is a skill, just like programming, designing, or writing. It takes time and commitment to develop that skill, and the traditional office culture doesn’t give us any reason to do that.”
When I first started working from home at Design Pickle, I was excited to have the freedom to do things like play video games, spend time with my family and friends, and have more time for myself. But I quickly learned that working from home also requires a lot of discipline and time management. Without the structure of an office environment, it can be easy to get distracted or overwhelmed.
To make working from home work for you, it’s important to create a routine and stick to it. Set up a dedicated workspace that’s comfortable and conducive to productivity. Make sure you have everything you need, like a good chair, plenty of water, and a playlist to help you get in the zone.
But don’t forget to take breaks throughout the day. It’s easy to get caught up in work and forget to step away from your computer, but taking regular breaks can actually make you more productive. Use this time to take care of household chores, like washing dishes or doing laundry, or to simply stretch your legs and get some fresh air.
Another tip is to plan ahead. Use a planner or calendar to map out your day, so you know exactly what you need to accomplish and when. And don’t forget to clock out when the workday is over. Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you should be working 24/7.
Working from home can be a great way to achieve a better work-life balance. But it’s important to remember that it’s not all lounging in your pajamas and watching Netflix. It takes discipline, time management, and a little bit of planning to make working from home work for you. So put on some shorts, grab a cup of coffee, and get to work!