Top 5 Ways to Successfully Work from Home

Large office spaces prove to be less needed these days, as many individuals can successfully do their job remotely. Most people will jump at the opportunity to work from home if given a choice. Just the amount of time saved on the daily commute, especially during rush hour, is enough of a reason to work from home. You can also accomplish a lot more since there aren't as many interruptions to your day. Think about how many times a colleague suddenly pops into your office or how a lunch meeting extends longer than anticipated and you have deadlines to meet.

SETTING YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS 

Regardless of whether you are working in a new startup company or a large corporation (and anywhere in between), there are vital things you can do to set yourself up for success and reduce burnout.  

1. NUTRITION

Since you are working from home, there will be easy access to food. Take the time to plan your nutrition. Everyone's health and diet concerns are unique; this is an area where you should take the time to consult with your Doctor or Dietitian and get a plan designed specifically for you.

We put nutrition first on the list because it's vital for your physical and mental health. It's helpful to have food choices that will keep you healthy, and you want them within reach.

Stock your fridge and pantry with healthy, nutritious foods to enjoy. Wash, chop and refrigerate fresh produce in advance for the week as this saves a lot of time. Keep lean proteins, yogurt & nutritious bread on hand. Having your favourite coffee, tea, and sparkling water available is both a necessity and a nice treat too. Doing this will go a long way in helping make smart choices easy during your workday.

Go a step further and have your favourite mug, drinking glass, plates/bowls set aside that you love to use and look at while eating and enjoying your beverages, snacks and meals. It's little things like this that can make a difference in your workday. Surround yourself with the foods and items you love.

2. GET READY FOR THE DAY 

There is a short commute from your bedroom to your office, so it can be tempting to get up just before you clock into work, but that's not in your best interest. A morning routine is essential. Set your alarm to give yourself enough time to eat breakfast and get ready for the day.

You should get ready just like you would if you had to travel to the office. If you usually shower and groom yourself (shave, do your hair, apply makeup, etc.), you should continue. The same applies to clothing - no leisure suits or pyjamas. When you get ready for the day and maintain a routine, you feel put together and prepared. At some point, you will have to jump on a Zoom call or leave the house to do something for work. A professional, polished appearance always helps to send the right message.

3. PLAN AND CREATE A CORE WORK SCHEDULE

Planning and creating a reliable schedule is crucial as it will help you work more successfully, having a healthy work-life balance. Have a start and end time set for your workday. If an emergency arises, you should be flexible with your schedule; however, that should be the exception and not the norm.

A consistent schedule helps prioritize and plan your meetings, projects, and daily tasks; do this by setting up action steps and blocks of time to help you focus and meet your deadlines.

Checking your email and text messages all the time might sound like a good idea; however, it can be too easy to get distracted. Instead, it's better to have set times in the day where you answer your emails and messages.

4. KEEP YOUR WORD & COMMUNICATE WELL

It's essential to keep your word and communicate well. If you've promised to do something meaningful, have a deadline to meet or anything else for that matter, you must ensure it gets done and you communicate clearly. When you work from home, it's even more vital to build trust and reliability with your colleagues and boss.  There can easily be weeks or months where people won't see you (out of sight, out of mind), and if you don't complete your work as promised or expected, it can cause others to doubt your abilities. Always communicate regularly and keep your word.  

5. PLAN YOUR DOWNTIME

Your downtime is just as important as your work schedule. A good Work-life balance is needed because you are doing everything out of your home. Plan activities that rejuvenate you. Your downtime should be anything that refreshes you and creates joy in your life. Going for a walk, exercising, reading a good book, or going out with your family or friends are all good ways to recharge your batteries.  

It takes time to set up a routine that's effective and balanced. If you have the opportunity to work from home on a full-time or part-time basis, do it with confidence. Create the life you desire.  

Bene Vivere!

Gioia Well Team 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

THE GIOIA WELL TEAM The Gioia Well Team provides a panoramic view of wellness for the modern individual & family, showing our readers how to grow, learn and navigate their world with joy.