There’s a lot of advantages from working from home! The commute from the bathroom to the office takes 30 seconds to 1 minute depending on the size of your home, pants are optional, less interruptions from colleagues dropping in to discuss the weekend or drop unexpected work on your desk and you can start your day earlier if you want to because there will be less time taken to get ready to be at your desk. Plus it’s a more sustainable way of living when we’re not all travelling by car or public transport.

I’m not saying there aren’t interruptions at home because it can be challenging (especially if you are home schooling right now or live in a small apartment) but I find they can be managed easier than in an office with many people. I recently delivered a ‘Productive Work From Home’ webinar to an accounting firm and these were some of the tips that I gave them.

1. Structure your day like you would in the office. It will help avoid procrastination traps.
2. You can steer a ship that’s not moving. It can be harder to get momentum at home so do one or two easy things on your list to start moving.
3. Choose a dedicated place for work in your house. If it can’t be a whole room, try and section off an area to keep personal space and work space separate. Having a place that is consistently your ‘work space’ helps get you in the right frame of mind.
4. Make it hard to get sucked in to the vortex of social media. Log out of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or whatever platform that can suck you in to. They’re a productivity pirate. Check in break times. Likewise, when you aren’t making calls, put your phone away from you.
5. Working from home can be lonely. I’ve found myself talking too long to the person making my coffee. Have regular team ‘huddles’ where you connect and plan together and batch your meeting time and book lunches with people to catch up
6. Save calls and meetings to late morning or the afternoon if possible. Guard your morning time for the most important and critical work.
7. Communicate expectations with anyone that will be home with you. Be clear about when you are in ‘office’ time.
8. Have scheduled breaks away from your desk and get out of the house or (or go to your backyard) for exercise during the day. You’ll be more productive and healthier.

Fiona Newton

Training Director
Productive Events & Training