Working from home tips

[vavavictoria]

So I have had a job that allowed some work from home in the past but in a week I’m starting a new job that is 100% work from home.

Do any of y’all who do this have any tips for success? How do you make sure you keep on track?

And what do you wear every day? In the other job I pretty much just crawled out of bed and started working. So didn’t do my hair and pretty much just stayed in my pjs looking like a crazy person. This time I want to attempt to treat it like I’m going to work still and get ready but I won’t need to be dressy like I am currently. Athleisure?

Thanks for any input

[covergirl82]

I don't WFH 100%, but just about 1 day a week. On those WFH days, I still do my hair (which is nothing fancy - I wash it, put a little product in, and blow dry it) and do my make-up (although I might skip the finishing powder and blush). I would describe the clothes I wear on WFH days as athleisure.

I don't have a dedicated home office right now, but if I did WFH 100%, I would definitely have a separate space with a door for my work area.

[divanerd]

When I was consulting after after my son. I would shower ponytail and shirt and comfy pants. Video interviews I would wear suit jacket.

Outside of dress ensure you get PO box, efax, and scanner printer. I would invest in small cabinet and shelving, comfy chair, good lighting. Sign up to connect with others processionally at least 2x a month

[2chatter]

Dedicated space is key. Try for a routine (here’s mine: log on 6:00, respond to emails and open the things I will work on in the morning per the list I leave myself every afternoon, tackle quick things then get the kids up and get dressed (20-30 mins). Get them out the door and start the day. Woooorrrkkk. I unload the dishwasher while my lunch heats (this takes 4 minutes total). We have an afternoon sitter that I release at 4:45. I often continue working after she leaves but drag my laptop downstairs. I finish when needed between 8-10 PM because activities prevent working straight through.

I wear whatever is appropriate to my day. I sleep in workout clothes on gym days to save the time of changing clothes. If I’m taking a child to the doctor or volunteering at the school I dress essentially what would pass as business casual light. Other days I am on a T and sports shorts all day (This is driven by the kids activities, mostly). I often don’t bother with makeup on days I am not going anywhere until I am...going somewhere. On big presentation days I dress professionally. At home. Alone.

And unlike divanerd, I am 100% paperless so I only need a laptop. I literally only use paper when I need to jot something down during a session where I’m presenting and my screen is shared.

[waverly]

DH doesn't work from home every day. Some days he travels, and he makes it a point to go to the office in the city once a week actually now more because that is where his counseling appointment is, but he likes to just get out.

The days he does work from home he wears jeans and a t-shirt. Typically it's Friday, so it is more of a dress down day anyway. He goes to the gym in the morning and then changes out of gym clothes into regular clothes. He typically has emails and phone calls all day, so staying on track isn't a problem on a jam packed day. On days that are lighter he does stuff around the house because again it is usually Friday, and he has already put in 60 hours or whatever at that point, so he flexes a couple of hours.

I think he does struggle a little bit with attention- don't we all in any setting. But I had found some interesting apps and suggestions online for that.

[justcheckingin73]

I agree with a routine. I get up early enough to get ready like I did when I worked in an office. I take my son to school and pick him up and sometimes run an errand or two during the day so I always get dressed (casual jeans and sweater in the winter and shorts in the summer), do my hair and put on makeup. It makes me feel put together.

As far as staying on track, I have good days and bad days in terms of productivity but I remind myself that I’m 10 times more productive than when I was in an office, had a commute, went to lunch nearly everyday and had to leave at a certain time to pick up kids from daycare. Not to mention all of the distractions and interruptions I had in an office.

I also tend to be a procrastinator so when I find myself falling into that, I try to be productive in other ways - I’ll fold laundry or take care of the dishes. I find that sometimes stepping away helps me think and I’m able to be more productive when I sit back down to work. I guess the moral of that story is to force yourself to take breaks. I find myself sitting for way too long sometimes.

[2chatter]

waverly - and links for apps or suggestions?

[hocus2]

I've been WAH for 10 years.

1. Have a dedicated space. A place you can work and have your stuff all together. I suggest a place with a door if you can do that but if not at least a proper desk and cabinet. Get a monitor and proper key board. A laptop as a primary work station will make your wrists and neck hurt. At a min get a laptop stand a key board.

2. Try to work fixed hours like you would in the office. 

3. I would advise getting ready as if were a weekend. Aim for comfort but not PJs -- I wear jeans and cotton shirt 99% of the time. 

4. Try not to multi task too much. It is fine to maybe switch over the laundry during your work but you should primary focus on work during your hours and do other things during your "commute" time. 

5. Be sure to keep up a social life. That was the hardest part of WAH. There is no water cooler, no drinks, no lunches. It can be very lonely. 

[waverly]

blog.producthunt.com/15-tools-that-will-help-you-stay-focused-e7e4cf22499c

[2chatter]

Omg waverly this is awesome. I am going to spend some distracted time reading this and choosing something to try. I think I might be part of my problem. 😂

[186momx]

My mom has WFH 100% for almost 30 years. I loved it when she worked for the hospital and she had set schedule (this was when we were all still kids). Now she works crazy hours because she works when the work comes in. Like some days she works for 20 minutes and then nothing for hours and then works until 9-10pm because a doctor dumps. She is a medical transcriptionist.

She has no social life now that all of us kids are out of school and feels the need to be way to involved in our lives because she doesn't have a social life. She wears her robe until 1 or so each day and then does sweats and t-shirts unless she has to go get DD and then she dresses way up because she has a reason.
What I'm trying to say is have a routine and keep your own social circle going. Take breaks and get out of the house for something other than kid stuff!

[vavavictoria]

Thanks everyone! This is all really good input!