Some working from home tips. I've been planning this article for ages - honest!

I've loved working from home for many years and was thinking of putting together some of my thoughts based on things that I've found useful. I hadn't expected it to be quite so relevant, but I thought I'd publish the article anyway. So here are my top 10:

1. Get dressed. In proper clothes. You don't have to do full business gear and make-up, unless you want to, but it really makes a difference to how you approach the day. So no PJ's.
2. Have a specific workplace. Ideally, a home office area where you can put all your tools and stuff. But not the kitchen table where you (or someone) cooks, eats, dumps the mail, the shopping etc. Somewhere where you are in work mode and can concentrate.
3. Have a proper work plan. You know what you're there to do, so plan your work and your day, don't just drift. Your plan can be flexible if your work allows it, work in the evening and do other things in the afternoon, but have a plan.
4. Take breaks, short breaks - coffee, walk about a bit, put a load in the washing machine, longer breaks - lunch, go for a walk, 30 mins' gardening, yoga.
5. STOP. Don't work longer and longer hours just because you're at home, that's the curse of the home-worker.
6. Have some human contact - Zoom/Skype/Facetime etc, especially if you're usually surrounded by people.
7. No picking. When did 'snacks' become a thing? Don't do it!
8. Don't become a parcel delivery point, a pet sitter, taxi driver, child minder or a drop-in centre. Please help people all you can but you are working from home, so shift those working hours elsewhere if you are doing someone a favour.
9. Meet friends and neighbours for coffee/lunch, just like you would if you were at work, but make it part of your working week, and coffee doesn't take 3 hours!
10. Enjoy the freedom and flexibility - I do!