University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)

University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)

http://www.rapidjob.com/tips-to-work-from-home-effectively.php

1. Create a specific professional working environment in your home. Just because you are working at home does not mean that there should be no separation between the two. Have everything that you will need for your job readily available in your working area so as not to run around your home looking for them when you need them. If possible have your working area in a specific separate room or study so you can work diligently when needed and go out and unwind to your bedroom or living room when the work is done.
2. Set a firm working schedule and stick with it. One of the downsides of working at home is that we tend to get easily distracted with personal chores and duties that by the time we realize it, we are already falling behind on our professional tasks.
3. Learn to also make personal and family time separate from your work. To a workaholic, working at home can create an effect to be on the job all the time. Know how to let go of your work when you are spending time with your kids, or visiting relatives and friends. Just because you are working at home it does not mean that you will treat your home with a working atmosphere all the time. Leave your work when having dinner with family and talk about something other than work-related matters.
4. Do not forget to go out and do other activities and interact with people. Working from home would tend to create an isolated environment that will lack human interaction on a professional, personal, and social level. This can be unhealthy if occurring for far too long. Make time to go out and grab some coffee with friends and just hang out, unwind and talk. This can refresh your being and can invigorate your productivity.
5. Be responsible. Since your workplace is just a few steps away, and you can pretty much get to it after jumping out of bed, we tend to procrastinate and allow ourselves to be a little idle at times. Follow the work schedule that you have set resolutely. As opposed to this however, be responsible not only when it comes to your work, but to yourself and your family as well. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the workaholic, who will seem to be working all the time, like getting up in the middle of the night just because you have thought of something about work. These are circumstances that at times can be hard to avoid and properly discern when working from home. It all boils down to the proper management of time, work, family and self.
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