Working from home sounds appealing. Deciding for yourself when to start, take breaks, and finish, not being distracted by colleagues, no traffic jams; just like a freelancer. That is nice for a while, but is it still so pleasant in the long run? Will you end up missing your colleagues, lose your connection with the daily work, and do you now have less to say about work at home? In any case, if you are working from home for a short or long period, it is wise to handle it sensibly. Factors such as distraction and concentration can have both positive and negative consequences. So, to make the situation as pleasant and functional as possible, here are a number of tips.
Get up early
- Try to train yourself if you have trouble getting up early.
- By consistently setting your alarm five minutes earlier than usual, you can get used to waking up early. Your body will adapt to this quickly.
Breakfast
- Don’t skip breakfast
- Take the time to have breakfast.
- Take a moment for yourself before you sit down at your laptop. This way, you start the day with energy and full concentration.
- Schedule the daily start time to go to work.
Clothing
- Dress as if you were just going out the door.
- Normal clothing helps to get into the ‘work atmosphere’ and also shows a clear dividing line between working hours and free hours.
Workplace
- Create a place in your home where you can work comfortably.
- A desk or the kitchen table.
- Make sure you have a comfortable chair. You shouldn’t start having back pain.
- Ensure there are as few distractions as possible in the work environment. Otherwise, tidy it up.
- This can contribute to the maintenance of energy and concentration.
Task queue
- Plan the order of your tasks for the day. That helps stay on schedule for the rest of the day.
- Therefore, start with small routines from the morning. This way, you maintain a healthy balance between work and free time.
- Know whether you are a morning person or an evening person. Then schedule the most productive hours in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
Work blocks
- It is virtually impossible to keep your concentration at the same level all day.
- It is therefore best to divide the day into blocks of 1 to 2 hours, with breaks in between.
- By setting a goal for each block, you stay motivated throughout the day.
Break schedule
- If you schedule your breaks in advance, there are fewer excuses left to interrupt your concentration while working.
Lunch
- Take your normal time for lunch.
- Take a walk outside during your break. Fresh air always does a person good.
To play sports
- Plan the time you want to exercise in advance.
Stop in time
- Try to stop on time and stick to ‘normal’ working hours.
