How To Increase Home Office Productivity
Article submitted by http://www.Allfreelancework.com - 1000s of
freelance jobs, articles, and resources.
Working at home is not always as easy as people with "normal"
jobs might think. There are hundreds of distractions home
workers must struggle against. Whether it's your screaming kids
and telemarketers or just the constant hunger pains from knowing
the refrigerator is just behind you. Only the most diligent
worker will get any work done at all.
So what do freelancers do to stay productive in their home
office? They either lock themselves in their rooms chained to a
desk or follow a few guidelines.
**Home Office Design - Home office design should never be
overlooked. If you decide to just simply place your computer on
the kitchen counter, expect to raid the refrigerator every 15
minutes, wash dishes, mop the floor, and wipe counters. You need
to understand that a home and a home office serve different
purposes. When you design your home office, try to keep them as
distinct as possible.
**Dress For the Occasion - You have seen this cause and effect
before in school children. Dress a child up nice and their
behavior changes for the better. If you wear sweatpants and a
ripped t-shirt you will feel like just lounging around. Try
dressing up in work clothing. Dressing in work clothes creates a
professional atmosphere. Plus, would you vegitate on the couch
in a dress?
**Create Schedules - Work from home changes the set 9 to 5
schedule. When you work at home you could easily find yourself
working till 2 AM every morning. Your schedule might evolve
around family commitments, for example, if your child is young
and needs a lot of attention, you might find yourself working
around naps. Set milestones for yourself to reach on a daily
basis. Establishing your priorities and goals are your
responsibility. Setting a schedule for yourself with established
goals will provide the framework for a more productive office.
**Family and Friends - There is nothing more detrimental to your
productivity than a friend calling on a regular basis when you
are trying to get work done. Family and friends might think that
your job is not serious because you work from home. Point out to
people who don't understand that you need to keep the lines free
for your clients or employer during the day. If they just don't
get the hint, let the answering machine pick up and screen your
calls or get a second line for business and don't answer your
home line while you are working.
**Prioritize Tasks - Understanding the way that you work is
essential if you are going to prioritize tasks. Find out what
motivates you to work harder and what keeps you focused on your
work. Reward yourself for completing a project. Take yourself to
dinner or treat yourself to a massage.
**Equipment - Don't let old equipment slow you down. For
example, if you are a web designer, the worst thing you could do
is buy a 28.8K modem. It is worth the money to buy effective
equipment that will save you time. Time is money.
**Take Breaks - Being trapped in your house all day could drive
anyone nuts. Treat yourself to a break at least once a day. Go
for a walk, read a book, or take a nap. When you get back from
your break feeling refreshed, you will be surprised how much
better you work.
If you follow these 7 guidelines, you will most defiantly have a
more productive home office. Creating an atmosphere of a
business is the most important factor in creating a productive
home office. Good Luck!
Article submitted by http://www.Allfreelancework.com - 1000s of
freelance jobs, articles, and resources.