Working From Home Hints & Tips

For the past 2 years, a lot of my work has involved helping people get up and running for working from home, using my software. I also work from home myself.

As the government once again advise people to return to working from home, I've put together a round-up of hints and tips...

• Don't work 24/7 - set boundaries and limits. Just because you are at home, does not mean you are on call all the time. Many tasks can wait until the next work day.
• Plan your work and tasks. Put together a list of what you would like to do each day, and plan your work. Prioritise your work, and get the most important tasks (including the ones you are dreading and most likely to put off) completed first.
• Set off a cut off time. For example, ensure you always start work at 9:00am and finish at 5:00pm - at that time your computer is switched off, even if there are still outstanding tasks to do. Don't even think of "doing one more thing" - if you finish work at 5:00pm, you finish work at 5:00pm!
• Don't forget to have your lunch break. Take breaks when you can away from your desk - perhaps go for a short walk if you can, or if the weather is good put together a picnic and have your lunch outdoors.
• Remember to have time off or annual leave. Perhaps as lockdowns arrive, you want some time off to reflect, before you start working from home. Or you are working harder then ever at the start of lockdown, helping others during the crisis, and will have time off at a later point. Remember you are entitled to time off - including bank holidays and weekends.
• Turn off notifications on your phone. On my phone, the only time it makes a noise is if someone sends me a text/SMS message or someone phones. I've turned off notifications for social media, etc.
• You don't have to attend EVERY Zoom meeting! Especially during lockdown restrictions, it can feel like everyone wants you to attend their Zoom calls. Only attend the ones that will be valuable for your business or that you enjoy or would like to attend.
• Keep in touch while events are postponed - if you are organising an event, keep in touch with people that have attended previously, shown interested in attending and any venues or suppliers - e.g. by contacting people via e-mail every 6 months or so. Depending on who you are contacting and the number of people, try sending an e-mail to each person individually, rather then a group e-mail!
• Who can your business help during lockdown? Do you offer products or services that can make other's work easier? You are not taking advantage of a bad situation (selling ￡50 small bottles of hand sanitizer is taking advantage, helping people at your usual rates is definitely not taking advantage) - remember to promote what you offer.
• Make use of Facebook groups, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. - especially if you have not used them for a while. Remember to review and update your profiles too. Join Facebook groups where people can help and support you, offer advice and provide opportunities for networking.
• No excuses - either for yourself or your work - don't blame the pandemic, brexit, etc. for not getting things done or to keep put stuff off. Adapt your plans when you can, however either keep going or make a start.
• Adapt your services for the current climate. For example, cafes offering takeaway, focusing development of products for working from home, etc.
• Good time to work on projects that you have been putting off - e.g. writing the book you have always wanted to write, updating your website, etc.
• Stockpile on blog posts. During previus lockdowns, I put together a number of blog posts and kept them saved in my drafts - when restrictions ease, I had some time off, and the blog posts ready to post with a few mouse clicks!
• I often work at weekends, and then have time off during the week. Places I want to visit are quieter, and therefore it's easier to social distance, etc. - plus I've had some great results from working weekends. Try what works well for you!
• Avoid using loopholes in lockdown rules - as tempting as they may be. For example, a shop that sells tins of beans just so they can open the full store.
• Remember to do the things you say you'll do. And if things change and you can't do them anymore, then be honest and let people know. And it's not just promises to other people either - remember to do the things you have promised yourself you'll do as well!
• It's not always about being in front of a screen. Remember work tasks that can be done away from the computer, including planning, writing notes, phone calls, personal development, etc.
• Remember to claim any expenses or benefits you are entitled to. Whether from an employer, government, etc. Keep a note of any additional expenditure during lockdown, including costs of phone calls, electricity, etc. - and claim these back when you can.
• Get back in touch with people you have not heard from for a while. Including business and personal contacts - even just to find out how they are doing. We are all guilty of not keeping in touch with people!

Do you have any hints or tips of your own for working from home, that you can add to the above list?

In addition to adding your tips in the comments, why not put them together in your own blog post of hints and tips?

Let me know if I can help your work or business get ready for 2022 - including with working from home.

I develop a range of software products - including planning, charity membership and audio software. Contact me to discuss further, or browse and download free trials at: www.libraryplayer.co.uk?