1. Maintain an orderly
home office or workspace
When you work from home you might feel like you’re
living at the office. You kind of are. Maybe you’ve set up shop in
the kids’ playroom amongst their scattered toys, or at a desk a
step away from your bed. Worse, maybe you work in bed. Among fluffy pillows. Calling your name.
Snooooze.
Set boundaries by having a designated workspace that’s
off limits from the family, where little hands can’t bang on your
keyboard or surreptitiously shut off your computer. Use this place
only for work.
2. Set a regular
schedule
There’s this notion that freelancers are in their PJs
watching reruns or taking naps between spurts of work. People are
skeptical about what you really do all day. After all, no one’s
there to keep an eye on you.
Make it obvious to everyone that you’re busy by setting
a regular schedule. Respond quickly and be reachable during office
hours – the same hours that your clients and employers
keep.
3. Take care of your
health and appearance
Working in your Keroppi slippers and gym shorts sounds
enticing but be warned, it’s a slippery slope. Soon you’ll stop
brushing your hair and teeth. Keep up a respectable appearance for
your own sake. You’ll feel a lot better if you shower in the
morning, get dressed in work-casual attire, and wear lipstick. It’s
a signal to get down to business.
Steer clear of the kitchen. Working from home could
lead to round two of the Freshman 15 if you give into unhealthy
snacking temptations. Eat real meals in proper portions to avoid
(junk) food coma-induced naps.
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