Do You Work at Home? Here are 6 Cube Tips to Help You Be Productive

When I began working at home full-time as a blogger and freelancer in 2010, there was a major adjustment period. For most of my adult life, I worked in an office, surrounded by cubicles, fax machines, printers, and employees. My schedule and workload was usually given to me by my boss or manager. I was extremely micro-managed in some instances, and guided by others. But working for myself at home, I had to create my own rules and learn to manage myself. There are deadlines that have to be met, and no one but me to make sure they get done. I learned quickly that I had to adjust my work ethic and the way that I worked in order to be fruitful while working at home.

First off, working at home takes dedication and a strong work ethic. You have to be able to self manage and stay productive without someone encouraging you. And, you have to make sure to not fall into the lazy trap and allow your “home” life to overtake your “work” life. Working for yourself at home is not as easy as it looks!

Here are 6 Tips for Cubes Who Work While at Home:

1. Office in a separate space than your “living” space:

One thing that I try to do when working at home is to do my work at my desk and not in the bed or other “lounging” areas in my home. I really think doing so makes you “too” comfortable and doesn’t allow you to always produce a high quality of work. I have a separate space for my work and that is where I conduct business. My living room and bed area are no-work zones. I only office in designated areas. Sleep experts also note that people who work in bed get less sleep and experience more sleep disorders because the bed is supposed to be for sleeping, not working.

2. “Dress” for success:

Because you are working at home, there’s no dress code to follow. But that doesn’t mean you have to be in your pajamas all day. Just as you would if you were working outside the home, take a shower everyday and put on clothes. It doesn’t have to be something “major”, even jeans and a shirt will do. When I dress for success, I feel better about myself and I think it makes me more productive.

3. Organize & Prioritize:

Stay organized with a calendar of projects and due dates. You can also use an app on your phone or tablet to help keep you organized and on focus, as well as use reminders that will alert you when something is due. Just because you work for yourself doesn’t mean you have to be lackadaisical when it comes to your work. As a matter of fact, you have to work harder because you are accountable to no one but yourself. When someone fails at working at home, most of the time it has to do to their inefficiency in not being organized or able to prioritize. Also, don’t fall into the procrastination trap. Do your work sooner rather than later.

4. “Leave” work at the same time each day:

I clock in and clock out everyday, just like I would at an office. I make it a point to not check or answer emails after a certain time of the day unless it’s an emergency, and I try not to work after a certain hour in the evening, to make sure I am able to devote time to my family. I get up at the same time each day (for the most part) and I get to work at the same time each day. I also allow for a lunch hour and breaks so that I can get focused and stay on track.

5. Incentivize & reward yourself:

When I finish a project or reach a certain goal work wise, I reward myself. For instance, when I reach all of my deadlines for the month, I may get an hour massage or treat myself to a high-end pedicure or manicure. Giving myself incentives encourages me to work hard, even when there’s no manager or supervisor to push me.

6. Spruce up your workspace:

I noticed that after I moved and spruced up my workspace with cabinets, file holders, pictures, and other items, I am more likely to work in that space as well as enjoy it. When you work in an office, you usually have your pictures up as well as other things that help your office look nice. Do the same thing in your home office and make the most out of your space!

Working at home is something most of us dream about doing, but it does have it’s disadvantages. I hope these tips help you achieve greatness in your home office and they help you as much as they have helped me!

Do you have any tips you’d like to share?