Working at home may seem like a dream to many, but in reality it takes strong dedication and often restraint from being drawn into the many potential distractions that come with it.
Here are five things NOT to do when trying to be a productive home-office worker.
No. 1: Cleanliness is Next to Productiveness
Do NOT keep your office and desk space a mess – it’s a major distraction and the clutter will just provide an excuse for you to clean instead of work.
No. 2: Don’t Do “Home Work”
Do NOT get distracted by household chores, personal errands, etc. It can be so easy to get dragged into washing the dishes in the sink, doing the laundry or cleaning up the kids’ toys instead of returning work phone calls, but give those chores a certain time of day to get done. Don’t let it cut into your valuable work time.
No. 3: It’s Not Social-Networking Hour
As valuable as Facebook and Twitter may be to building your brand, do NOT fritter away your work time hunting down old flames, a former nemesis or others on such sites. That goes for getting caught up on personal e-mails, as well.
“You need every minute of your office hours and you have no time to waste on distractions and disruptions,” said Heather Allard, founder of TheMogulMom.com who started three businesses out of her home since 2001.
Added Leslie Truex, author of The Work-At-Home Success Bible and founder of Workathomesuccess.com: “Shuffling papers, reading e-mail and posting on Facebook have a part in running a business, but if not managed will waste time and money.”
No. 4: Location, Location, Location
Do NOT place your office in the middle of your house. While some may say working from the kitchen table works for them, most work-from-home experts agree that a separate room with a door is necessary if you plan to be productive.
No. 5: Make Plans to Make Time
Do NOT work without a plan – that includes routines and schedules just as importantly as a business plan. Plans also help avoid having the personal life bleed into the work one, and vice versa. A daily plan should include when to go out for lunch or throw the laundry in.
“Extra time to ‘work’ doesn't magically appear. People who work-at-home need to make time for work and for play,” Truex said.
Here are five things NOT to do when trying to be a productive home-office worker.
No. 1: Cleanliness is Next to Productiveness
Do NOT keep your office and desk space a mess – it’s a major distraction and the clutter will just provide an excuse for you to clean instead of work.
No. 2: Don’t Do “Home Work”
Do NOT get distracted by household chores, personal errands, etc. It can be so easy to get dragged into washing the dishes in the sink, doing the laundry or cleaning up the kids’ toys instead of returning work phone calls, but give those chores a certain time of day to get done. Don’t let it cut into your valuable work time.
No. 3: It’s Not Social-Networking Hour
As valuable as Facebook and Twitter may be to building your brand, do NOT fritter away your work time hunting down old flames, a former nemesis or others on such sites. That goes for getting caught up on personal e-mails, as well.
“You need every minute of your office hours and you have no time to waste on distractions and disruptions,” said Heather Allard, founder of TheMogulMom.com who started three businesses out of her home since 2001.
Added Leslie Truex, author of The Work-At-Home Success Bible and founder of Workathomesuccess.com: “Shuffling papers, reading e-mail and posting on Facebook have a part in running a business, but if not managed will waste time and money.”
No. 4: Location, Location, Location
Do NOT place your office in the middle of your house. While some may say working from the kitchen table works for them, most work-from-home experts agree that a separate room with a door is necessary if you plan to be productive.
No. 5: Make Plans to Make Time
Do NOT work without a plan – that includes routines and schedules just as importantly as a business plan. Plans also help avoid having the personal life bleed into the work one, and vice versa. A daily plan should include when to go out for lunch or throw the laundry in.
“Extra time to ‘work’ doesn't magically appear. People who work-at-home need to make time for work and for play,” Truex said.
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