“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.”
—Alex Turnbull
I bet you’re thinking that working from home will allow you to work in your pajamas all day, watch TV, and sleep more. And to be honest, you’re right for the most part! But is that really what you’re looking for?
When I first started working from home, I didn’t know what to expect, and I felt that I was going to be able to have fun, sleep more, stop commuting, eat well, exercise, play video games, and go out with my family and friends. But, oh boy, was I wrong! Instead, it was the exact opposite! I ended up finding myself with little to no time to do my chores outside of work and absolutely no time for myself and my loved ones. It really boils down to time management and adjusting yourself to the situation.
First things first, I recommend you get yourself a good workstation. This might include a nice comfy chair, plenty of water at hand, and a good playlist.
Outside of your work schedule, I highly recommend you create a personal schedule that allows you to take small breaks here and there. It should also allow for you to do chores like washing dishes, cooking, going outside, and other tasks that might seem quick, but that actually take up a ton of your time when combined.
Plan ahead, get yourself the right tools and behave as you normally would. Don’t remove your personal routines from the equation, as those will help you stay sane and will also allow you to stay professional. Clock out at a regular time, and don’t exhaust yourself. Everything has a time and place, but the good news is that you just happen to be at home for most of it.
