Top tips for working from home

Try to have a separate work space set up at home. Photo / Thinkstock

More and more, kiwis are shunning long commutes to the office in preference to working from home. And employers are beginning to realise the benefits of offering staff more flexible work arrangements.

When I was ready to return to work following the birth of my second child, I didn't have the option of a flexible work arrangement. Paying for full-time childcare, just so that I could work a "traditional" work-day in the office didn't make sense to me. So I decided to find a more flexible solution, and am now doing the bulk of my work from home.

There are many perks - I set my own hours, spend much more time with my children and am an all-round happier person. But, sometimes there can be difficulties, like saying "yes" to too many things, and staying focused.

Here are my top tips for working from home:

Get organised

It's important to have some sort of schedule organised so you don't get distracted by domestic duties.

If you stick to a schedule, colleagues and contacts will learn when is best to get in touch, and you are still able to maintain a distinction between your professional life and your personal life.

Look the part

Sure, it might be possible to lounge around in your pyjamas all day - but that may reduce your productivity. By getting dressed for work, you are psychologically gearing yourself up to be productive. Plus, throwing on your sweatpants at the end of the day also helps to distinguish between work and home.

Schedule Daily And Weekly Breaks

Yes, mobile technology means we can be contacted, and be in contact at all times. This doesn't mean we should be. It's important to have breaks scheduled in to your day, including for meals.

Keep work and personal messages separate

At the office you will sometimes be assigned a phone, computer and email account. Take advantage of these perks if they're offered by the company. This will help keep personal and professional emails and messages separate.

Stay in touch

Teleconferences are a good way to keep face-to-face contact with co-workers. Use this facility to avoid becoming a faceless name on the screen. It's also nice to catch up for coffee or lunch with colleagues every now and then, and certainly join in with social events, if you can.

Learn to say 'no'

There is a risk of taking on too much when it comes to freelance work. Perhaps you don't want to turn down an offer because of the fickle nature associated with this type of work. When my hours started creeping up to more than what a normal "full-timer" would be working, I had to remember why I had opted for freelance in the first place (to spend more time with my kids) and had to learn to say no.