Tip # 1 Integrity: You are in a position of trust and with Trust comes Responsibility. As Oprah has said –”Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.” Self-discipline is key to ensuring that you are at your productive best. You are your own manager in this scenario and have to take ownership of your work output. Set daily, weekly and monthly goals and STICK to them come what may.
Tip # 2 Time Management: It is very easy to lose track of time when you don’t have to punch in time and out time. Having more flexibility in your schedule is great, but it also makes it harder as there are more options on balancing time slots between personal and work time. Create your work hours based on what works best for you, your customers and your team. These hours may change from time to time but it is important to block them. For example – I work best late night, so I schedule my highest priority tasks that need my concentration the most for my time slots in the night. You may want to use a timer initially to keep track of time and reward yourself when your timer goes off with a short break. You will find yourself less distracted. And know when to stop – don’t let work takeover your life! Find the techniques that work best for you in tracking your most valuable resource – time!
Tip # 3 Work – Space: Keep aside a specific space – a room is best – dedicated as your work zone. It helps change the state of your mind from “I am at home” to “I am at work”. You work-space should be sacrosanct – no distractions allowed, enforce a “closed door” policy if needed. Keep your desk uncluttered and surround yourself with stuff that helps you focus – maybe fresh notepads and pens, work board, good lighting, coffee maker, music.
Tip # 4 Tools and Infrastructure: When you work from home, you are your own IT, admin and HR helpdesk. Even if your company is not paying you for it, good infrastructure and tools are totally a great investment to help you overcome irritations and productivity loss. A comfortable office chair, power backup, a good speakerphone, a printer/scanner and copier, headphones and microphone are some essentials. Do maintenance on your laptop/desk top regularly to ensure best performance. Back up your data and use a good antivirus solution.
Tip # 5 Communication and Collaboration: This becomes even more critical when you are working remote – you have to make up for face time by consciously increasing your interaction with your team and peers through intensive communication and collaboration. Pick up the phone and talk to people more, take every opportunity to collaborate, create mailing groups to inform and be informed – just because you are not physically present in the office doesn’t mean you can’t be a present and active member of your team. And ultimately remember that your work has to speak out loud for you, be “visible” through excellence in your work.
Finally I leave you with these words from Abraham Lincoln in a letter he wrote in 1851 :
If you intend to go to work, there is no better place than right where you are; if you do not intend to go to work, you cannot get along anywhere.
— Abraham Lincoln
What strategies have worked for you in increasing your productivity when you work from home ? Do share.
I would expand Tip 3 with a 3A. Quietude. Especially if one has a family, kids, pets, etc. Noise-cancelling headphones, and/or scheduling of work hours (which ties back to Tip 2).
Hello Andrew,
Thanks for dropping by. I agree with you on the “quietude” point. Absolutely essential to allow you to focus on work – that’s why, it is important to enforce the closed door policy.
Regards,
Suchitra
really Nice blog…. never thought about ‘Work from Home’ in such deep. tips will for sure help everyone. … thanks
Thanks, Abhinav. Working from Home does need a strategy to be your productive best. Eagerly waiting for your next blog post too.
Regards,
Suchitra
Great post today thanks. I really enjoyed reading it very much. You have an excellent blog here. Thanks again for sharing this.
I recommend anyone with a good blog or website to check this out. It’s worth looking into.
Even if you are just willing to make a living online:
Work From Home Starting Today
good blog, helpful tips. Company shall realize that WFH is just not the incentive for employees but also for companies which save lot of money in the form of infrastructure and real estate.
Many of the companies that I know off allow 2 or 1 day work from home option – when you are sometimes working from home and most of the time from office – you are not having the set-up/environment to support your work from home, which hinder your performance and just give the good idea a bad name. So, as mentioned in tip #1 – integerity is the key.
Hello Amit,
Thanks for dropping by. The trend is indeed going towards remote or flexible working. The biggest challenge that companies face today is the ability to attract and retain the best talent. Companies that provide work/life flexibility will win the talent war. With all the technological advances (check Microsoft’s Your Office, Your Terms initiative here – http://www.microsoft.com/business/Office365/your-office-your-terms.aspx#fbid=ASKUQM82QKB) , there is no reason why both company and employee will not benefit – provided as you said – there is Integrity on both sides.
Thanks and keep reading and commenting 🙂
Suchitra
I usually prefer Work from home, as i get less distracted by people and meetings.
Interesting Post, Communication is the main thing as we are working remotely but I would say that Every coin has two side.Although you have discussed very well.There are following benefits Flexibility of hours, Work load control, New skills, No office politics, No commute.