How to Work from Home Like a Boss

Now that many of us just need a laptop with an Internet connection to do our jobs these days, the option to work from home has become increasingly common. While it can be a dream scenario, the freedom still comes with its own set of unique challenges as it turns out it’s not quite so easy to stay productive in the same space you also live, sleep, and lounge.

To truly master working from your own domain, try your hand at the following tips and tricks:

It’s tempting to spend the day in your pajamas when no one will know the difference, but the clothes we wear can affect our state of mind and our ability to get into “work mode.” While it’s not necessary to put on a suit or throw on some heels every day, even the simple act of changing into a pair of jeans can improve your focus and productivity.

Just because it’s possible to work from anywhere you’d like to around the house (on the couch, at the kitchen table, in bed…) doesn’t mean that’s a freedom you should take advantage of at all times. Having a set workstation at home can be essential to your ability to properly shift gears and stay on task. If you’re making the move from a more traditional work environment to freelancing from home, a dedicated area may be especially important to your productivity.

Though you’ll no longer need to deal with overly chatty co-workers or general office squabble, you’ll likely face a whole new set of diversions ready to prevent you from getting through your to-do list. Pets, children, roommates, even a stack of dirty dishes can be exceptionally effective at pulling focus. Choose a workspace that’s as quiet as you can manage in your home, and do your best to keep potential household chores out of sight.

You might not have a corporate-sized budget to blow on furniture and decor, but it’s still important to foster a space where you can do your best work. Whether that involves an Aeron chair or a standing desk is up to you, but don’t let poor work conditions like an uncomfortable seat or bad lighting limit your productivity.

The ability to set your own hours is definitely one of the perks of working from home, but many of us require and thrive under at least a little structure to help guide us along. Do customize your schedule based on your own habits and strengths. Don’t force yourself to be a morning person if that’s just not you. Having some sort of schedule is also important in establishing a work-life balance. Just as it doesn’t take much to venture off task, it can also be easy to clock in more hours than what’s healthy.

It can sometimes be difficult to get into the right mindset to just dive into work. On those days, fostering your own Pavlovian response might be the answer. By creating some sort of recurring habit that plays on your senses, you can create an experience that informs your body and mind that it’s time to perform a certain task. This trigger could be a cup of coffee or tea in a specific blend or mug, writing with a particular pen, or listening to a special song or playlist.

Working from home can become a lonely and isolating affair, so do make a point to find reasons to leave and engage with the outside world on a daily basis. Set some in-person meetings to take place outside the home, and regularly make plans with friends and family. Staying social is beneficial not just for your physical and mental health but your career as well. Many work opportunities come from our networks, so it’s important to keep lines of

communication open and connections fresh.

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