In this digital age it’s become easier and more preferable for many of us to work from home, but what are the key aspects to running an efficient and effective home office?
- Comfort – make sure your office furniture is comfy and suitable for an office environment. Your office should be a room or area that is welcoming, free from clutter and ideally should have a door. Not only can a door cut you off from other things going on in the house while you’re trying to work but it can also be used to close off your office during family time and weekends.
- Dress appropriately – unfortunately, the dream of working in your pyjamas is a thing of the past. With the advance of video conferencing as a standard form of communication, you need to be ready for a VC call at any time. Dressing in work appropriate clothing will also help put you in the right frame of mind to start your working day.
- Stick to a schedule – set your standard working hours and stick to them. Sure, one of the benefits of working from home is flexibility but build this in to your schedule. If you need to do the grocery shopping, meet a friend for coffee or watch your child play school sport, then factor these activities into your working week.
- Technology – use free or inexpensive technology to ensure your clients or work colleagues feel they are dealing with a professional. Simple tools like a noise cancelling headset with a mute button will ensure any background noise (dog barks, kids laughter and door bells) in your home is kept to a minimum. Accounts held with filing and storage companies such as Dropbox or Google Drive and using communication applications such as Skype and WhatsApp will also help you keep in touch and give the impression that you’re both easy to deal with and up to date with the latest technology.
- Don’t let friends and family drop-in – ‘working from home’ is often mistaken for ‘being available at any anytime’. While this is the case in an emergency, for day-to-day contact you need to set boundaries. Clear a specific time in the day where you’re available for phone chats or visits and managing expectations to make sure they don’t overstay their welcome without awkwardly pushing them out the front door.
- Exercise – the beauty of working from home is that you have more available time. So rather than spending your time caught up in traffic or waiting for a tram/train/bus on your morning commute to work, start your day with a 45-minute exercise regime. It will not only keep you fit but also help to clear your head and kick start those creative and imaginative ideas needed to get you through the day.
- Take regular breaks – the temptation to open the fridge or pantry door and graze is always lurking in the background while working from home. Take regular breaks and prepare snacks and meals the night before or earlier in the day to avoid over eating. And for those that simply can’t avoid the odd snack (or six), make sure healthy options like fruit, vegetables and nuts are available.
There is no doubt that working from home will give you the flexibility and autonomy that your busy life demands. By following a few simple recommendations, you can make your home working life work for you!
Of course, unless you’re running your own business, the decision to work from home may not be entirely yours to make. In their search for ‘best in field’ subject matter experts, AUS Finance Group has realised the need to cater to the needs of a changing workforce. Flexible hours and a work from home policy has helped make this happen. Thankfully, this type of thinking is trending and more and more employers are providing work from home opportunities.
Ingrid Gyles, Senior Manager – Investment and Lending Services.
Learn more about Ingrid.
Disclaimer: This article has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs and should be regarded as general advice only. Before acting on this advice you should consider whether it is appropriate for your needs and has regard for your own objectives and financial situation. We encourage you to consult a finance professional before acting on any advice provided in this article or found on this website.