Working from home

More people are working from home nowadays. Telecommuting is handy, but staying productive and connected can be difficult. Time to set up shop.

Here are twelve things can help boost productivity:

• Establish a routine. The consistency helps me get and stay organized so that I know what I’m doing, and when.
• Create a work space. If you don’t have an office, make one. When I started my business, I claimed a table in the corner of the living room.
• Set goals for each day. The structure can help you focus.
• Stay on top of things. It’s easy to get distracted. Do whatever you can now; it could be even busier later.
• Do the hard stuff first. This isn’t specific to working at home, but it may be more important when you work at home.
• Turn off your email. Try doing this for hour-long periods to limit interruptions. An hour is long enough to make progress on your projects but short enough to remain accessible to others.
• Negotiate. Schedule time with others in your household for group stretches, games, stories, or meal prep. If you have kids, let them set the agenda. It could be fun!
• Be creative. I have a dedicated office, but I have to walk through it to get to other parts of my house. At the end of the day, I clear my desk and dim the lights to feel like I’ve left work behind.
• Experiment. This morning I felt bogged down by the news. I decided to wear something more professional than usual. It picked me up and I had a productive day.
• Exercise. Walking gets me going in the morning and re-charges me during the afternoon slump. It’s great for productivity, and sanity. Think gardening or even vacuuming. Our brains need breaks.

And finally, don’t work on the couch. It’s bad for your posture, you’ll get sore, and you might fall asleep.