Apply These 4 Winning Techniques To Improve Working From Home

I have been in outside sales for most of my career.  This has provided me with the best of both worlds.  I usually go into the office once or twice a week and work from home the rest of the time. The question I am asked the most by new employees is “how do I stay focused working from home?” It is a question that numerous Americans are asking themselves as more and more struggle to increase productivity outside of the office. Gone are the traditional distractions of noisy and annoying coworkers, hovering bosses, and in your face business to attend to. The newest nine to five interruptions are now the family dog, kids, and your own short attention span.

Whether telecommuting or for adventure sake, more and more professionals are trading in the cubicle for the home environment. We all have heard the perks of the work from home lifestyle — no long commutes, more family time, conference calls in pajamas, etc. But what about that question? It’s not always easy to stay on task in the face of so many distractions.  Here is what I have found works.

Get Dressed!

Sure, it is tempting to roll out of bed and lumber over to the computer in your pajamas – another benefit of working at home. But when you properly arrive at work, even when it’s just you and your laptop, you will be more prepared and ready to do meaningful business. Wash your face, brush your teeth and get dressed as if you were going into the office.  You would never show up smelling like you slept in your clothes, would you?

Take A Break!

Don’t try to work through to lunch. You will be just setting yourself up for failure. Instead, institute a 5 minute break every hour or so. One study found that college students were incapable of focusing for longer than three minutes, indicating that our attention span is only shortening up. Step away from your desk and go sit on the patio. Every now and then, just abruptly stand up and go get a glass of water. Break up the monotony.

Shut the Door!

Shut the door if other people are home. Seeing people and pets walking by out of the peripheral is distracting.  This also signals to the rest of the family that you are “at work” not “at home.”  Another benefit to having a door to close is the ability to conduct a business conversation over the phone or have a video conference without being photobombed by your toddler.

Leave the house!

If shutting a door is not practical, there are companies like Regus and Corporate Office Centers that will let you pay a minimal fee for a virtual office. You can schedule a block of time in their conference rooms or even a private office for those days when you have several important calls to make.  And lastly, don’t forsake the seclusion of your car.  I have had many hours of productive car time.  Pull under a shaded tree near a park and get to work.  It’s quiet, its’s private and you have A/C and heat.

You will undoubtedly try many of these techniques before settling on one or two that work for you.  For me, it took a combination of all of the above to get me the results I was seeking.  However, I will end this by saying that if you are not self-motivated and able to self-direct, you will not be successful working from home.  It is important to know ourselves.  If this isn’t for you be honest with your employer and back to the office you go!

See you at Starbucks!

By Lainika Johnson, Director of Business Development at Integrity Waste.