A Work Space
Designate an area of your home to get work done. This could be an empty or spare bedroom that you can convert to a home office or set up a desk for your computer and office supplies.
A Morning Routine
Working from home doesn’t mean you get to skip your morning routine altogether, even though you can get up late and take your time with breakfast. Take a break and a brief walk around the block for some fresh air.
A Planner
Use a planner or calendar to keep track of deadlines, appointments, and meetings. Use task management tools to make telecommuting a breeze by organizing tasks into projects.
A Walk Outside
Many people who work-from-home forget that there’s an outside world out there. Open the windows to let sunlight in and take some time throughout your day to go outside and boost creativity and productivity.
A Rewards System
Using a rewards system is an easy way to help you get things done, even those things you have been procrastinating or putting off. Take a five-minute break to go for a stroll through your neighborhood, grab a healthy snack, take your dog for a walk.
Declare Your Availability
Communicate dates and hours along with time zones for your work time, what capacity you are working, and how others can get in touch with you. This avoids assumptions that you’ve been skipping the office or refusing contact.
Check-ins With Co-workers
Set meetings with an agenda actively involving all members. Dedicate time to meet privately with each member for status updates, coaching, and discuss developments from their personal life. Some remote employees might miss aspects of the office so, beyond handling phone calls, be sure to discuss the bigger projects they are working on.
Stay Vigilant
Just because you’re not in the office doesn’t mean that you aren’t a target for hackers. Your work machine is valuable for thieves and criminals, so make sure to work securely.
- Be aware of your company’s network policies such as Wi-Fi use, personal devices, and more.
- Employ a “trust but verify” mentality for documents in your inbox.
- Use for encryption. Larger organizations probably have an approved VPN solution.
- Get IT assistance and report security threats when necessary.
- Close your room door to avoid disclosing any sensitive information to family members or visitors.