More people than ever are working from home. As technology has improved, the world of work is becoming more flexible and accommodating remote working. Whilst there are benefits to doing away with the daily commute, it can be hard to remain motivated and avoid distractions when you’re away from a typical work environment. But you can make working from home work for you.
According to research from Aviva one in seven UK workers are now home-based, the equivalent of four million workers. It’s likely that many more benefit from some form of flexible working too, even if they’re based in an office the majority of the time. Whilst six in ten people working from home are self-employed, a significant four in ten are employees.
Adam Beckett, Product Director for Aviva UK General Insurance, said: “Flexible working and home-working options are now part and parcel of many people’s lives. Advances in technology mean many individuals can work remotely in a whole host of careers, from web design to tutoring.”
The statistics found these ten UK regions have the highest portion of homeworkers:
1. Powys (25.7%)
2. Kensington and Chelsea (25%)
3. Brighton and Hove (24.9%)
4. Ceredigion (24.8%)
5. Devon (24.6)
6. County of Herefordshire (24.6%)
7. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (23.8%)
8. Camden (23.6%)
9. Richmond upon Thames (22.5%)
10. Pembrokeshire (22.1%)
Whether you work from home full-time or just the odd day, these tips can help you stay on track and remain productive.
1. Create a separate workspace
Creating a workspace at home is essential if you’re working from home in the long term. There are likely to be distractions in your home, from the TV with a boxset waiting to household chores. Having a designated space can help separate work from personal life, getting you in the right frame of mind.
Your workspace should have everything you need to hand and be comfy; if your office chair is uncomfortable, you’re going to be tempted to move to another part of the house.
2. Invest in the right technology and tools
When creating your workspace, take some time to think about what technology and tools will make your life easier. Investing in new equipment can make the process much smoother. We all know how frustrating it can be when you’re trying to access something from the cloud only to be faced with slow internet. Depending on your line of work, time tracking tools, a headset or a piece of software might make all the difference to how much you get done.
3. Create a routine
When working from home, you might have more freedom over what hours you work. It can be all too tempting to think ‘I’ll do it later’ or work different hours each day. The flexibility can certainly be appealing but creating a routine can help you be more productive. If you’re working with clients or colleagues, it can also help set reasonable expectations for when they can contact you.
Another aspect of creating a routine is getting ready for work. You should dress comfortably but try to avoid the cliché of working in your pyjamas. It can make it more difficult to get in the right frame of mind.
4. Find what works for you
Whilst setting up a workspace and creating a routine are important, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. For some, working when it’s quiet is perfect, others will work better with some background music. It’s the same with the hours you’re most productive. Try different things when you’re working from home initially and see what helps you create the optimal working environment.
5. Make to-do lists and plan your day
If you’re setting your own daily schedule, you do need an element of discipline as well as being organised. If that’s something you struggle with, setting out what you want to achieve each day can help you build a plan. It’s a step that can ensure your productivity remains high. A to-do list is a great way to keep track of what you’ve achieved and what still needs doing; plus ticking a task off can give you the motivation to keep going.
6. Get out of your home
If you’re working where you live, it can feel like you’re trapped in the same place all day and be uninspiring. Getting out and about sometimes is beneficial. This might mean heading out to work in a local café a few times a week or using a co-working space. It’s a chance to speak to people, get some air and hopefully find some inspiration to keep you going. Connecting with other homeworkers near you can be an excellent way to exchange ideas and get some of the benefits a traditional work environment offers too.
7. Stay connected
Whether it’s colleagues or clients, remember to stay connected. If you’re working in isolation you can end up feeling out of the loop or just missing the social part of the job. Make a plan for keeping in touch with those that are important to your work. For some, this might be a commitment to regular phone calls, for others, it could be physical meetings that give you an opportunity to catch-up.
Switching off after finishing work
When it comes to working from home, it’s not just remaining productive that you should focus on. It can be all too easy for work to creep into your personal life and affect other plans. Knowing when to switch off is just as important. There can be a temptation to be ‘always on’, whether that’s checking your emails in the evening or finishing up a project after your set hours. Of course, there may be times when it’s necessary but struggling to switch off can affect your wellbeing.