WFH, or working from home, is more relevant now than ever before. Flex working was already on its way up to before the COVID-19 outbreak but, now, millions of employees are forced to stay home and make do with a dining table instead of a work desk.
Personally, I’ve been working from home since I founded Aureum Hospitality Advisers back in 2017, even through the birth of my new-born child. For those who are new to the game, I want to share my experience and some tips on how to reach your full WFH potential.
The Case for Productively Working From Home
One of the biggest concerns about working from home is that of productivity. By keeping certain things in mind, you can manoeuvre through your day like the most efficient busy bee there is.
Tips On Being Productive While WFH 5 minutes
Tips On Being Productive While WFH
- Plan Ahead
Set a schedule and stick to it. Structure and routine improve productivity.
- Keep a Dedicated “Office” Space
Don’t work from your bed or your couch. Instead, set up at the dining table or another space that works for you.
- Take Breaks Away From Your Laptop
When you take breaks, make sure to “switch off”. If you can, switch rooms for a change of scenery.
- Get Ready Like You Would for the Office
Start the day with a healthy breakfast, take a shower and switch out of those PJs into cosy-yet-representative office attire.
- Spend Time With Your Family
Instead of gossiping at the coffee corner, enjoy quality moments with your loved ones.
- Use a VPN
Keep your internet connection secure by using a trusted VPN.
- Minimise Your Distractions
Don’t lose yourself in social media and streaming services.
1 – Plan Ahead
When working from home, I prepare my day by reviewing my to-do list and prioritising my tasks. This way, I know just what I should work on during my most productive times of the day. This means focusing on deadline-driven tasks first. I then work on tasks that take up the most time and require plenty of concentration. I work best in the morning (especially since that’s the part of day that my two-month old daughter sleeps) and once I complete a complicated task, I feel refreshed for the rest of the day.
As Mark Twain once said, “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” I always try to eat the frogs before lunch time, because getting the hardest job out of the way feels really good!
2 – Keep a Dedicated Work Space
I quickly learned that having a dedicated workspace in my apartment was almost as important as a good working internet connection. Sitting pretzel-style on the couch with a laptop on my lap wasn’t the way to get things done (at least not for me). Instead, I chose to turn the dining table into an ad-hoc desk. Here, I have everything I need within reach, and it feels a whole lot more ergonomic.
3 – Take Breaks Away From Your Laptop
For me, it’s important to get away from my computer every now and then. When I started working remotely, I often had a sandwich at my desk for lunch, but that’s not really a break. I noticed that when I started to “switch off” during my breaks, I felt a lot more energised upon my return, ultimately improving my post-lunch productivity. This also applies to “after office hours”. It’s easy to continue following up on emails or tasks, because my office is in the living room anyway.
At one point, I started asking myself the question, “If I read this email just before leaving the office, would it make me stay at the office to reply?” In 99% of the cases the answer is no, so I decided to stop checking anything related to work after office hours. There’s always tomorrow.
4 – Sweatpants as Office Attire
It’s very tempting to wake up late and spend the day in pyjamas when working from home. However, I personally like to get ready for the day like I would when having to go to an office (well, as close as I can get). Not only do I feel a lot fitter and ready to tackle my to-do list after a shower and good breakfast, but you never know when your client or partner wants to hop on an emergency Skype call.
The good ol’ “I will not turn my camera on because my network connection is not good enough” is so 2019, so I better make sure my looks are video-call-ready. On days I have to attend in-person meetings, I prefer to be ready-to-go from the morning. I tend to get caught up in stuff throughout the day that leaves me rushing a few minutes before I really have to leave.
5 – Spend Time With Family
Being a mumboss means that my to-do list isn’t the only thing that demands my time and focus. There’s also an adorable two-month old girl that loves the attention (and food!) I give her. Honestly, it’s the best distraction ever!
Despite my enthusiasm, this also means that I have to make sure to use my time wisely. As a result, her sleeping hours are my most productive. This brings me back to planning and structure. Planning my day ahead matters more now, and family time is part of the agenda. After all, it’s not like I’m wasting time gossiping with co-workers at the coffee machine.
6 – Use a VPN
Whenever I’m connected to a network I don’t control, I use my VPN. This way, I can keep my connection totally secure. I highly recommend investing in a VPN that is fast, reliable, and easy to use. Personally, I use Express VPN when working remotely as this one meets all my demands. Plus, it’s one of the few VPNs that allows me to access the US library of Netflix. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so why not give it a try?
7 – Minimise Other Distractions
Home is comfy. It’s your safe space. As a result, there are so many things that could easily distract you from the important stuff. Doing laundry while waiting for a file download, watching just one episode of your favourite Netflix show…I’ve been there and done that.
With no one over your shoulder, you can easily spend more time on social media or scan news headlines for longer than anticipated. And that’s all okay, as long as you’re doing it in moderation.
I’ve been working remotely ever since I started offering revenue management and digital marketing services. Personally, I find that I get things done quicker at home than in an office. As it turns out, I am not the only one. A recent study showed that 66% of flex workers are more productive at home. So while I do get distracted every once in a while, I always make sure it doesn’t affect my productivity.
“More than two-thirds of workers say they are more productive working at home than in an office and one in three believe the switch has made them less stressed.”
Financial Review
Working from home: heaven or hell?
For me, working from home is definitely heaven. Sure, I miss having colleagues around, but the advantages far outweigh the downsides.
I like that I don’t waste time commuting; on most days, I’ve already sifted through my emails before my clients and partners even arrive at the office.
Although I like getting ready like I would for a day at the office, I mostly wear cosy clothes that don’t quite reach office-level chic. But hey, nobody sees my sweatpants in a video call.
All things considered, working my own hours is the best advantage of all. Whatever helps me spend more time with my new-born is alright with me.
For starters, you can only deduct for a home office if you are working freelance or as a contractor. Since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, you can no longer deduct for non-reimbursed work expenses if you are an employee, including any home office deduction. ? ? That makes it especially important to try to get extra costs covered by your office.
Hi Renske, thanks for your comment and your tip! That’s a good point you made. When making additional costs to setup your home office it would be very helpful if the employer reimburses you (to a certain extent).