Tips for working from home?

Comments

• Dee Adelaide

  July 2020

  Don’t sit too close to the fridge or you’ll just snack nonstop all day.

  
• Freddy Denton, Texas

  July 2020 edited July 2020

  Dee said:

  Don’t sit too close to the fridge or you’ll just snack nonstop all day.

  Even worse if the bed is close. Third place goes to the TV/video games.

  
  

  Main thing is to develop a morning routine that places actual time between waking up and working. If you normally take a shower in the morning, take one. Oh, and this seems silly, but dress for work. Doesn't need to be actual business attire or anything, but the act of getting yourself together for work will help put you in the mindset that you aren't on home time. On the flip side, make it a point to truly stop your work day. When quitting time comes, do something to signify that. I recommend an ice cold beer right at 5 o clock (or whenever you get off).

  
  

  Oh, and for the love of God, don't sneak off to masturbate! You'll only be fucking yourself.
  

  
  

  
• DoubleA_Ron San Diego

  July 2020

  If you can, create some sort of separation between your “work” space and your “home” space.  Gotta make sure to draw those lines and keep them unblurred.

  
• tom_g WV

  July 2020

  Murderbear said:

  So, after everyone has been doing it for what, four to five months? I start a new job tomorrow (eep!) and after a day of orientation, I will continue my training and work from home. I thought it could be fun to see if there was anything people have maybe learned about themselves or their work habits that could be helpful to someone doing this for the first time.

  Were you 'working' when you posted this??
  
  I am 'working' right now.

  
• A_Ron_Hubbard Cincinnati, OH

  July 2020

  I echo Freddy's advice. Getting up and getting ready is really critical to me being effective. Also, you need something to "reset" you if you're going about your day and you get sidetracked by some home stuff. I tend to eat lunch later, and that's good if I've gotten off task I can go to the kitchen, fix myself something to eat, watch 30 minutes of TV or whatever, and when I'm finished, it's a fresh start to get back on task.
  

  
• tom_g WV

  July 2020

  I've been doing it for more than 2 years, and agree with everything above.
  
  Be 'there' on a schedule
  Reset for short periods of time
  'There' should be as separate as you can arrange
  Distractions I allow - streaming audio - yes (I can keep working)  /  streaming video - no (I find that I cannot work)
  Limit your time on Baldmove to no more than 2 of your 8 hours 
  
  

  
• Michelle California

  July 2020

  I agree with the 'getting ready for work' to start your workday as normal.
  Don't let yourself get in the habit of working in pj's or in sweats.  When I worked from home, I found that getting ready for my day just as if I were going to my office really helped get my motivation up for the day, which kept my productivity up.  If you let yourself get in the mindset of "I'm at home, so I can chill in my pj's & watch tv",  you'll notice a marked decrease in your motivation & productivity.  Also, no drinking until the workday's over.  Yeah, you're working from home but you never know when your boss will call or want to Zoom with you, etc.  
  
  And congrats again on the new job! 

  
• awookiee

  July 2020

  Michelle said:

  I agree with the 'getting ready for work' to start your workday as normal.
  Don't let yourself get in the habit of working in pj's or in sweats.  When I worked from home, I found that getting ready for my day just as if I were going to my office really helped get my motivation up for the day, which kept my productivity up.  If you let yourself get in the mindset of "I'm at home, so I can chill in my pj's & watch tv",  you'll notice a marked decrease in your motivation & productivity.  Also, no drinking until the workday's over.  Yeah, you're working from home but you never know when your boss will call or want to Zoom with you, etc.  
  
  And congrats again on the new job! 

  I can personally vouge for start your routine like you were going in to work. I started working from home in March and kept with the normal routine for a while. Then I found myself hitting snooze more and more often and it took me a while before I was actually fully productive while working in the morning. Also it actually made me more tired throughout the length of the entire day. I second @tom_g podcasts are ok, streaming video most people get too distracted. Make sure you have a solid end time for your day and stick with it. Don't get sucked back in because you thought of something or you saw an email (if you have a work phone or access to your work email through your phone). Write the idea down and save it for the next day. Congrats on the new job and joining the work from home workforce.