7 tips to make working from home work for you

Given the Philippines’ dreadful public transportation system and traffic situation, more people are choosing to work from home. And with the work-from-home bill one signature away from becoming a law, more people will be able to enjoy working in their pajamas.

But working in the comforts of your home is not as perfect as it seems. The lure of a cozy bed, a “short” social media break, and other diversions can make it impossible to be productive.

We spoke with work-from-homers to discover their secrets to staying on top of their game.

1. Find a work space that’s conducive to getting stuff done

Create an area that puts you in the mood to work. Not everyone has the luxury of having a separate office room so find a quiet spot with natural light streaming in. Get to work while sitting on an ergonomic chair or using a standing desk (tip: don’t stick to one position for a long time), making sure everything you need is in close proximity so your flow doesn’t get interrupted.

Businessman PJ Lanot adds, “I stay away from any sight of ‘homey-ness’ (i.e. bed and couch), as I naturally gravitate toward them during stressful times. Having a view of the sky and greenery also helps my vision, [letting] me rest my eyes [by] looking at things farther than my computer screen.”

2. Craft an ideal schedule.

Work smarter, not harder. Analyze your routine and discover what time you work best. Try matching your activities with the movement of the sun following the Circadian rhythm. Life and career coach Aurora M. Suarez advises, “In terms of what you should focus on first, they say ‘eat the frog’ or do the hardest thing first. When I need to do focused work, I use the Pomodoro Technique where I set a timer for 55 minutes and then break for five minutes. After three Pomodoros, I take a 10-minute break.”

3. Create a realistic daily to-do list...

Keep a calendar so you can see your deadlines at a glance and carve out time for the most important tasks. Successfully working from home for the past 15 years, tarot reader and freelance writer Chinggay Labrador says, “I use a Bullet Journal to keep track of everything. If I don’t finish my tasks within my productivity window, I reserve more menial tasks after dinner, making sure I don’t work past a certain period.”

For people with international clients, be aware of the time difference by installing a world clock app so you can be certain calls are set at the right local time and deadlines are met accordingly.

4. …but learn how to be flexible

Sometimes, things don’t always go according to plan. Freelance editor Macy Alcaraz shares, “When I’m not in the mood to work, I simply don’t force it. I’ve noticed that when I do, I work slower and my output isn’t as great.” When this happens, step outside for a walk, take a nap, or exercise — anything that will take your mind off the work!

Content creator Maita de Jesus reveals, “There’s a lot of talk of needing to be a self-starter and having a strong sense of self-discipline in order to succeed, but these are also causes of anxiety. Be flexible and forgiving of yourself. That priority list will change as you go about your day, so [learn to] just roll with it.”

5 Reduce distractions

Distractions are lurking everywhere. In an office setup, this can involve noisy coworkers or a rush project that needs attending to ASAP. At home, this could mean an attention-seeking toddler or the incessant drilling from a nearby construction site.

Eliminate distractions by setting boundaries with yourself and others. Limit checking your email and social media accounts to specific times (ideally in the morning, noon, and night) and mute your chat groups to minimize unnecessary interruptions. If you can’t help yourself, install apps that will block websites at certain times of the day. Or stay offline until you finish all your requirements for the day.

Stay-at-home parents should be accommodating of their children’s schedules, accomplishing priority tasks before they come home. It also helps to set guidelines that inform your kid when you’re in work mode. De Jesus shares, “My daughter knows that when the door to the room is closed, it means not to disturb me unless she gets physically harmed, like an insect bite or a cut.”

6. Interact with the outside world.

Prevent cabin fever by working at a co-working space. Mike Aquino, a writer who has been working from home for the past 10 years, swears by it, saying, “I love co-working spaces. I’d work from one all the time if I could afford it! When I have high-paying but time-intensive projects, I do. In Quezon City, I like Bullish and Racket Room. In Pasig, I like Loft Coworking — really good value with a great view of the Ortigas Business District.”

If you don’t have the means to pay for a co-working space, set up a co-working date. Alcaraz says, “I have friends who are also freelancers. Once every few weeks, I’ll join them at a café or resto, even we all have different projects we’re working on.”

Lanot advises looking for establishments that meet the main comforts of working at home: security of work and personal equipment; access to food, drink, and restroom; space to move around; reliable and steady LTE or WiFi; strategic location of electrical outlets; and early and late operation hours.

Consistently going out to meet people (tip: schedule at least one social event per week!) and connecting with others online (tip: set up a chat room with other remote workers who can act as your virtual office mates) can also translate to exciting opportunities.

Art director, illustrator, and graphic designer Jaykee Evangelista reveals, “Meeting people is important. It helps build your network. Being active in social media also helps to get work.” Posting samples of your latest work on Facebook or discussing your new passion via an Instagram Story can lead to your next assignment.

7. Invest in high-quality equipment

From a dependable desktop computer that’s regularly backed up to steady, fiber-based Internet connection to up-to-date software programs, state-of-the-art tools are worthy investments that show clients your professionalism.

Suarez reiterates its importance, saying, “Make investments that will make you your most productive self and will make work a pleasure. These investments are a signal to yourself that this is serious work, that you are making a commitment to entrepreneurship and excellence, and that you want to be the best you can be, not just for your clients but for yourself.” — AT, GMA News