Top 5 Things You Should Know About Working From Home
Working from home requires a unique set of skills. It’s not for everyone. Here are some things to consider before you jump off the corporate train and start your home-based business.
No One Cares More Than You.
Nobody cares as much about your product or service as you. When we work in an office or around a lot of people, we are often defined by our title, our successes, and our failures. We are collectively working on the same goal provided by the company. Obviously, that’s not the case when building your own home-based business. This requires you to be not only the President & CEO but also the janitor, bookkeeper, and entire sales & marketing department. You may lose a contract in the morning then gain one in the afternoon and want someone to celebrate with you. The other moms at the bus stop don’t care. Neither does the mailman or that poor lady in front of you at the grocery store. Once you get the idea that you’re committed but detached, it will make your solo days a little easier.
Must Be A Self Starter
It takes discipline, man. Entrepreneurs and people who work from home can run circles around those cubicle dwellers; it’s true. But you must have the self-discipline to be a self-starter in the first place. You have to identify and prioritize with little or no supervision and be able to handle distractions. I’m not only talking about your cell phone but also the pile of dirty laundry, the neighbor who needs a babysitter and that comfy bed that’s only a few feet away that’s calling your name after lunchtime. (Ignore that, I nap, too.)
Find your optimal work time during the day and create a schedule. Don’t worry! Your autonomy is safe and if you need help figuring out how to create your own work from home schedule. check out my blog posts on productivity. Working in big chunks throughout the day – however that looks like for you – seriously beats sitting at a desk all day counting down the minutes until you can go home.
Pro Tip: The faster and more efficient you work, the more money you’ll make and the most leisure time you’ll have.
Multi-Tasking is a Myth
Give 100% to whatever is in front of you right now. Some people say they need the TV, Netflix or music on in the background. I’ve even been guilty of dialing in to a meeting and also checking my email, folding laundry or a myriad of other things to maximize my time. After 18+ years working from home, I can tell you, this method doesn’t work. You’ll miss something someone said or fail to see some important insights because you weren’t paying attention. Jusst say no to multi-tasking.
Use The One Touch Method
This follows the No Multi-Tasking Rule. You know the saying “if you do it right the first time, you won’t have to redo it” or something like that. Work on projects when you have all the info at hand so you can get it done in one swoop. Doing little bits here and there trying to move the project along only adds more time for you. No one likes backtracking over and over again. It takes an average of 15 minutes to start or restart working on something after being interrupted. Now think about all the times you go back to a project because you didn’t have what you needed, someone was late on a deliverable or you half-assed it the first time. You’re an entrepreneur – don’t waste time. Do it once. Get it done and move on.
You Need A Door.
If you don’t have a door, get one. Figure it out even if you usually work from the apartment kitchen table, there is a solution for you. Aside from the great tax write off for your home office space, you’ll benefit from having a designated area to be mentally prepared to get your work done. At the end of your workday, it will be nice to ceremoniously slam that door shut at the end of the day on Friday and not open it again until Monday. Trust me on this one.
Pro tip: Get a piece of dry erase sticky board to put on the door so your spouse/partner/kid/dog walker knows when you’re on the phone or on Facebook Live. When my kids are home on school breaks, I post my daily schedule on the door. It’s also a great place for a DO NOT DISTURB sign. Just sayin’.
Do you have some work from home tips to share? Comment below and help someone out!
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