| | Working from Home
Any piece of paper would do, but you can buy pre-printed ones.
Working from home can be both a blessing and a curse, and it is all up to you. I started working from home about 5 years ago after completing a very interesting and thought provoking seminar on self employment and management that touched on some of the popular topics that David Allen has popularized throughout the years with his GTD methodology. I was in France at the time since I had enrolled in an institution to
edu/en/paris.html" title="Learn French in Paris">learn French in Paris and by the time I was back at home I had decided that I would try and see if home working was for me or not. Incidentally, I had originally planned for a trip to learn French in France but it would be in Cannes not Paris. I had to change my plans at the last minute and, in retrospect, I'm glad I did.
So after 5 years of working from home, I have a few tips to share with all those people that are just starting out, or wondering what the experience is like. So, without further ado, I present you my advice on working from home.
Maintain a work schedule
Working from your home can seriously (and I mean it) tear your usual sleep schedule to pieces if you don't put a leash on your work hours. This means both not staying till 3 in the morning trying to complete a project and getting up at 8 to start your work day every day. Working like this will make sure that you are well rested and attentive when it is time to work and prevent you from suffering from a low efficiency.
Don't skip your meals
You will usually feel the clutches of hunger less when you work at home on your own than when going to the office. Remember, however, that you can have all sort of attention problems from lack of food so don't skip your breakfast and lunch.
Keep it tidy, keep it clean
Almost everyone enjoys a nice clean space to work at. When you are at home you will have to balance your home stuff with your work stuff, so order is of the essence! Take half an hour everyday to maintain order on your workspace, you'll be glad you did.
Get some fresh air
You need to get out of the house every day. It's imperative. I've found that most people that work from home tend to stay indoors all day long. This is not only bad for your psychological makeup, but you wouldn't believe how much your fitness will suffer if you don't take your body for a spin on a daily basis.
Lists are your friend
You are on your own and you need to make sure that the boat doesn't sink. Remember to keep to-do lists with you and updated at all times. I would recommend updating your list at least twice a day and reading it first thing in the morning before you get to work. Having a clear set of goals for the day is very useful.
Set boundaries
There are two types of boundaries you need to set. For others and for yourself. Make sure your family understands that you are working and that unnecessary distractions compromise the work you are doing and make you take much longer in the end. You also need to put boundaries for yourself, don't let work get in the way of your family or personal life. Each have their place and should not intrude on the other.
