What are the common best practices for entrepreneurs who work at home? If you’ve recently transitioned from employee to business owner or feel like you’re stuck in a rut when it comes to your home office, you’ll love these work from home productivity tips.
1. Get dressed .
How you feel is reflected in your work and the first step to feeling professional is pulling off the pajamas and slipping into something business casual or more professional.
For example, my biggest productivity killer is staying in my workout clothes all day. However, dressing in comfortable, business casual clothing helps me get my day started. Plus it can make you feel the part and in return you will act the part.
2. Set office hours .
A common misconception of new entrepreneurs who work from their home office is that you can do chores, and spend time with friends all throughout the day. If you want to improve your focus and attention span this is not the way to go. However, setting and sticking to office hours will maximize productivity and make it easier to tell your friends no to impromptu hangout sessions.
“Distractions come in two main kinds, which Daniel Goleman explains in Focus: The Hidden Power of Excellence: sensory distractions (things happening around you) and emotional distractions (your inner dialogue, thoughts about things happening in your life) (Buffer).” Distractions, as well all know, cost us more than we realize.
3. Step outside .
Staring at the same four walls all day without interaction can easily make you feel drained and isolated. Getting some fresh air, taking breaks, and leaving your home office for lunch will help you reset and get rejuvenated.
If you’re not convinced, stepping outside can boost your energy levels (it’s a scientific fact). “Inhaling fresh air helps clear your lungs and enables you to take deeper, longer breaths of air — which increases the amount of oxygen that’s transported to your body’s cells. Increased oxygen in your body translates to greater energy and clarity of mind (Livestrong).”
4. Go offline.
Without anyone monitoring with you self-discipline is key. Put your mobile devices in Airplane mode. Monitor how much time your spending on social media. Turn your phone’s ringer off and pre-empt common distractions before they waste your day. Limit time waster activities to breaks and after work hours to get the most from your work day.
5. Switch it up .
There are a lot of perks to working from home so take advantage of it! If you’re sick work from your living room sofa, if your restless take your laptop to Starbucks for the day, and if you want to take a trip the world is your office. A change in scenery or a comfortable location can make you more effective.
This article has been edited and condensed.
Jessica Rule is the founder and CEO of SHK The Advertising Firm, a Midland based advertising firm dedicated to providing eye-catching items to market companies. At the age of 26 she is successfully transforming the advertising industry in her town by providing creative, out of the box campaigns for her clients. She is also highly involved in her community she sits on several boards and is an emcee for local events. Connect with @jessicalrule on Twitter.
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