Working from Home
Whether you’re new to working from home or have been doing it for a while, make sure you set yourself up for success.
Boundaries
The line between work and home is not as clear cut when you work from home. For some this may seem like bliss (wearing pyjamas all day, anyone?), but for others it means battling the perception that it is not a ‘proper job’, as well as being distracted by the piles of unfinished paperwork.
The solution is to establish some boundaries. Allocate office space that will be respected by everyone, and set working hours not to be disrupted with household chores or watching Netflix. Having some form of ‘work wear’ (yes you, pj-wearers) will help maintain a business mind-set.
Motivation
Whether you’re a morning lark who finishes their boot camp workout before sunrise, or you need a couple of double espressos to get you going, having some motivational tools is helpful. Some people need a big noticeboard to remind them of the goals they want to achieve, others need a mentor or work buddy. Whatever it is that keeps you going, find a way to remind yourself of why you are doing all the hard work on your business. Reward yourself for your achievements by giving yourself an hour off for a walk, or a weekend away to celebrate a business milestone.
Deal with distractions
Phone app and email notifications are among the sneakiest time eaters, so switch them off during working hours, and only deal with these at certain times. The same goes for personal matters which you should shelve for ‘after work’. Having your mobile phone on silent can also be helpful in preventing disruptions, as long as you don’t miss important work calls.
Keep up with technology
If you are expecting to be paid for your work promptly, make it easier for your clients to pay. While a card machine may be out of your budget, online banking is free, so make sure you are registered and have your account details handy.
A reliable email is a must, and if you have a website, you’ll need an email related to its domain name. Many professionals use a personal email address for correspondence, just keep it professional – no juicy lucy@email.com
Online presence
Most businesses benefit from having some presence on social media. You may despair at the younger generation glued to their phones, but resist progress at your peril. A lot of potential customers may be on social media, so don’t miss out on the free marketing.
Get organised
Divide your schedule each day, week or month and allocate the time to different tasks, then stick to it. If you just ‘wing it’ all the time, you could find yourself playing catch up with all the incoming emails, messages and phone calls.
Organise your paperwork into folders and storage boxes, and do the same with the contents of your computer or laptop. Create a filing system that makes sense to you and the people you collaborate with – it will save you lots of time if you don’t have to constantly search for something.
Marketing materials
Use simple, easy-to-read fonts in size 10 or bigger on your business cards and leaflets. Most people, even those with perfect eyesight, get irritated when they have to decipher information written in tiny font.
Give your customers multiple ways of contacting you, and let them choose how they want to get in touch – landline and mobile telephone, email, website, Skype or social media.
Check that the information on your business cards, leaflets or brochures is correct, especially if you are about to have a few hundred printed. Spelling mistakes do not impress anyone!
Make sure your telephone number has all the digits included and correct, otherwise you could be wasting your money, and please add spaces in the telephone number – which one do you prefer to read? 01548598327 or 01548 598 327?
Remember to take care of yourself
The mind works better when the body is well oxygenated, so eat a healthy diet and make time for some physical activity every day. A short walk at lunchtime, a few stretches while waiting for the kettle to boil, or sign up for a weekly exercise class – regular movement will help you deal with stress and to stay more productive.