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How
to Increase Home Office Productivity
by Rachel Goldstein owner of Allfreelancework.com
- 1000s of freelance jobs
Working
at home is not always as easy as people with "normal"
jobs might think. There are hundreds of distractions
home workers must struggle against. Whether it's your
screaming kids and telemarketers or just the constant
hunger pains from knowing the refrigerator is just behind
you. Only the most diligent worker will get any work
done at all.
So
what do freelancers do to stay productive in their home
office? They either lock themselves in their rooms chained
to a desk or follow a few guidelines.
**Home
Office Design - Home office design should never
be overlooked. If you decide to just simply place your
computer on the kitchen counter, expect to raid the
refrigerator every 15 minutes, wash dishes, mop the
floor, and wipe counters. You need to understand that
a home and a home office serve different purposes. When
you design your home office, try to keep them as distinct
as possible.
**Dress
For the Occasion - You have seen this cause and
effect before in school children. Dress a child up nice
and their behavior changes for the better. If you wear
sweatpants and a ripped t-shirt you will feel like just
lounging around. Try dressing up in work clothing. Dressing
in work clothes creates a professional atmosphere. Plus,
would you vegitate on the couch in a dress?
**Create
Schedules - Work from home changes the set 9 to
5 schedule. When you work at home you could easily find
yourself working till 2 AM every morning. Your schedule
might evolve around family commitments, for example,
if your child is young and needs a lot of attention,
you might find yourself working around naps. Set milestones
for yourself to reach on a daily basis. Establishing
your priorities and goals are your responsibility. Setting
a schedule for yourself with established goals will
provide the framework for a more productive office.
**Family
and Friends - There is nothing more detrimental
to your productivity than a friend calling on a regular
basis when you are trying to get work done. Family and
friends might think that your job is not serious because
you work from home. Point out to people who don't understand
that you need to keep the lines free for your clients
or employer during the day. If they just don't get the
hint, let the answering machine pick up and screen your
calls or get a second line for business and don't answer
your home line while you are working.
**Prioritize
Tasks - Understanding the way that you work is essential
if you are going to prioritize tasks. Find out what
motivates you to work harder and what keeps you focused
on your work. Reward yourself for completing a project.
Take yourself to dinner or treat yourself to a massage.
**Equipment
- Don't let old equipment slow you down. For example,
if you are a web designer, the worst thing you could
do is buy a 28.8K modem. It is worth the money to buy
effective equipment that will save you time. Time is
money.
**Take
Breaks - Being trapped in your house all day could
drive anyone nuts. Treat yourself to a break at least
once a day. Go for a walk, read a book, or take a nap.
When you get back from your break feeling refreshed,
you will be surprised how much better you work.
If
you follow these 7 guidelines, you will most defiantly
have a more productive home office. Creating an atmosphere
of a business is the most important factor in creating
a productive home office. Good Luck!
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- 1000s of freelance jobs, articles, and resources.
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