For those of you that work from home - YouLookFab Forum

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For those of you that work from home

Debbie

Veteran

How do you keep yourself on track? I just started a new project for my boss. Right now I work in the office 3 days a week 8:30-? Sometime 3:30 sometimes later. Then two days at home. This is a long term project that I will be able to do the 2 days a week if I retire in Oct. I am having trouble keeping myself focused.
Today was one of my work from home days. I should work about 5 hours. As I sat here today it was oh I need to do this I need to that. I got my time in finally but I was all over the place. I have no trouble focusing in the office but here I seem to go nuts.
Any suggestions.

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24 replies

Latest reply was from Debbie

Aida

Veteran

Debbie I also have trouble getting focused which is why, even though I could technically work at home every single day, I come into the office every single day. Sometimes I do miss working at home but I'm so much more productive when I don't work there! Having a dedicated, separate office space helps a lot; as does having a dedicated computer (you know, one that you wouldn't hop onto YLF on ) which has just the applications you would need for work. Giving myself proper "work hours" and a specific lunch time also helped. Hope you're able to get it sorted! It's very nice being able to work at home if you're able to keep focused.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I have been working at home since 1998! One key element is to stay in your office during the time you need to work. It can otherwise be very easy to notice that the bathroom counters need cleaning, that you have so many nice snacks in the cupboard, etc. i don't do a strict 9 to 5 by any means but I might for example work from 7 to 9 and from 12 to 5. I also work on weekends as needed.

rabbit

Veteran

I work at home and find it a definite struggle -- it was easier in the first few years. If you can get yourself to stay in your office at home like UmmLila does for set periods, that's ideal. For me it's worked best when I have another space to work away from home like Aida, but that has never worked out long term for me.

What works best for me is to go into my home studio if I can first thing in the morning, after feeding the cats and getting something to drink. I've been told if you do the hardest thing in your day first thing, it's easier than at any other time. So I try to get two hours or so done before taking my first break. Another thing that works is to try to set a timer for 25 minutes (the pomodoro method) and I record these 25 minute 'chunks' of work done in a log. I sometimes take short 5 minute breaks between them, and sometimes just power through several. It helps me get started more easily and I can set goals for a certain number of these chunks of time I want to log in a day.

Also I found that I have to be aware of my natural working flow and schedule around it. My natural inclination is to want to be outside running errands or vegetable gardening during the sunny part of the day, and I would rather work late into the night when it's quiet and there are no distractions. I also work just as much (if not more) on weekends when I have someone around who I can talk through decision points with. So I try to juggle these tendencies with what works better with sharing time with family. Either way I try to plan a day or so ahead of time, rather than kind of deciding on the fly that day.

bj1111

Veteran

yes to dedicated space and a routine or schedule.

Debbie

Veteran

I have a dedicated space just not a schedule. I am going to have to get it together and see if that works better.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Barely controlled panic in the face of looming deadlines is what keeps me on track, I'm afraid.

Debbie

Veteran

Aziraphale-I am sure you are correct in fact Thurs is going to be that day!

rabbit

Veteran

Lol also what Aziraphale says. The particular challenge of my kind of work is that the deadlines are big, but they are usually several months out, and there is no accountability or co-workers/check-ins during the process except at the very end, I just have to work steadily enough on a weekly basis to hit the final deadline when everything is due at once. I usually look at what writers do for ideas about how to manage it.

So from my perspective deadlines as you go are great things! Even if nerve wracking Anything you can do to create and maintain structure helps.

Peri

Veteran

I work from home, but the situation is different. Students are going to show up at my door whether I'm ready or not. My schedule is strict and I don't ignore it because I'm held accountable.

Your trick will be to find some way to hold yourself accountable. You still have to think of it as a work day. Put yourself on a schedule...the advantage is that it can be one you like. Want to sleep late and start at 10:00? Do it. That's the reward. Work through lunch and end early or take a long lunch break. But once you think up the schedule that works for you, treat it seriously.

That's all I can add...I know my job is not at all the same!

marianna

Veteran

I LOVE working from home. Currently I WFH every Friday and I would more frequently if I could. I have a dedicated home office with a proper desk, chair, etc. I have a separate work laptop. I'm not much help because I don't struggle with staying focused. Truly in my eyes working from home is a luxury so I hope you find the balance soon.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

When I have done freelance work, I have noted my start time in a notebook next to my computer. Then I note my stop time if I take a break. Then I note the start time when I start up again. I do this so I can bill hours accurately. You might try something like that. Once I put down a start time, I don't want to go off on some other task, because of the "bookkeeping." It tends to keep me on task until the point at which I have planned to stop.

Lucy

Veteran

It is hard! I work one, sometimes two, days a week from home, and I do love it.
Two things spring to mind.
1) I don't try to work unreasonably long stretches. I will often say to myself, right you need to sit still and do this for 45 mins and then make a cup of tea. Two hour blocks are my max, and I do aim for at least 1 or 2 of them in my day.
2) remember that at work, there are constant interruptions, most of which are not at all productive . So I don't feel too bad if I have a few of my own during the day - hanging out the washing, or spending a few minutes online. In some ways, a quick break rests the brain and you come back recharged. I do try to keep to quite short breaks though!

rachylou

Veteran

Let's see... I:

- have dedicated space
- shut the doors when it's time for work
- have a work notebook too and log time in and out
- keep to the same routine: 2 breaks and a lunch

But the other thing is, I talk to colleagues and email updates. Turn things in from home. That keeps me accountable.

SandyG

Veteran

My ADD brain makes routine work at home difficult. Too much quiet and not enough jazz! With legal research, I had stacks all over my big dining room table. With theatre work, it's hard to contain everything that goes into making a play, so scripts and costumes are triple work. It's fun work but takes hours and hours of behind the scenes labor.

Paperwork? I have to turn it into a game or have a huge deadline looming to generate the brainpower to focus for more than a few minutes. Lots of strong coffee and the Pomodoro Method helps.

For creative work or research, I generally pick up and go to a nice, busy coffee shop and sit in the middle of everything to concentrate. Working late at night helps, too, where I can spread out all over the house.

This article about one's operational style - the way you think habitually - is a favorite and I think quite adaptable for organization or work at home. https://www.insideoutstyleblog.....dures.html It's a fun read.

Anonymous

I have worked from a home office for most of the past 15 years. Discipline and practice are the key. Am I always perfect at it? No, but it also allows me to decide when and how the job gets done. And it always, well usually, does. I do notice that the kitchen counter needs wiping and that I could stand to vacuum, and I just deal with it without over analyzing the whole thing. I do have a close friend in my field who does the same job I do, and occasionally we phone each other to share mutual awe in our procrastinating tendencies

rabbit

Veteran

SandyG - that's an interesting read! I'm definitely an options person, good at making procedures for other people. I'm married to a procedures person, those insights on how different types of people answer questions are so true.

anne

Veteran

This is an interesting thread. I have never worked from home and think I'd be terrible at it. I hadn't heard about Pomedoro Technique and have been reading up on it since it was mentioned above.

My friend who works from home behaves in a similar way to many of you - works solidly for a time period, but does a little housework in the breaks.

Debbie

Veteran

Thank you so much for the replies. I am going to look into the Pomodera Technique and the blog SandyG linked to. I have written out a schedule for Thurs so we will see how it goes. I did clean the office tonight top to bottom and I am going to organize it a bit more. I think I can make it work. I just need to shut the door and shut out the rest of the house.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I don't work from home, but one trick is to keep a list next to you of the distracting things you think of as you think of them. Once they are written down you won't have to "worry" about forgetting them, and it's easier to get back on task. Also works when trying to fall asleep.

jenanded

Veteran

I love working from home and get so much done! Alas my new job means I struggle to do so 1 or 2 times a fortnight.... I have desk etc buypt also I dress closer to ofice wear but importantly put on makeup and some sort of shoes. I remember reading that consuktants for Mary Kay home makeup had to do full makeup and shoes before picking up the phone for calls as they would subconciously act and sound more focused... who knows but it works for me as well as lists, responding to emails etc...

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I've worked from home most of my life now and don't have a problem. In fact, it's the opposite for me, I tend to work more hours as I can always think of one more thing I can get done or research, etc. It's the housework I'm more likely to neglect!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I have worked from home everyday for 6 years and I love it. My tips are:

- keep strict timings. I do work from 8:30am to 5:00pm with 2 small tea breaks and a lunch break. When my work timetable goes crazy busy, I become even more strict about my timings. I may skip the breaks, eat lunch at my table, but never work late. I think the toughest part of WFH is segregating professional life and personal life.....once you get that right, it gets easier.
-set daily limits. I often don't set a time limit anymore because some projects are faster and others slower. I do, however, set work deadlines for my own benefit. If I finish the work faster, I'm free to read.
- schedule all cleaning/chores you notice before or after this time. If I notice the counter needs cleaning or my closet needs organizing, it happens before or after work time.
-don't allow yourself to be distracted. I am alone at home, so this is easy. I also put my phone away and concentrate just on work.

As LisaP says - it takes discipline and practice. You'll get the hang of it soon!

viva

Veteran

I've been working from home full-time (when not traveling) since 2008 and I'm still figuring it out.

Here are the things that work for me. But keep in mind that I am my own boss so I don't have to turn in a timesheet or report to anyone else, and I no longer have children around. So I have a lot of flexibility.

- Work hard, in short bursts. It's AMAZING how much you can get done in 2 hours of focused work at home. For me, it's easily the equivalent of 4-5 hours in an office. I like the HIIT approach to working at home. (High intensity interval training). For me, it's the best way to get stuff done.

- Take advantage of your most productive hours. I go through periods where I am more productive in the early morning (starting at 6am), and periods where I really get going at 3pm (and work into the evening). For me, a fixed work schedule would be deadly, and would absolutely undo the value of working at home.

- Practice disciple with Internet distractions. This is my BIG challenge, for sure. I have no words of wisdom here; I just try to avoid the web during my focused work time and use it as a reward. Frankly, I think it's fine to get up and go put a load of laundry in; that's 5 minutes where I am moving and relieving my brain. (And I find that physical movement helps unlock creativity.) And a short laundry break is MUCH better than falling down a surfing hole somewhere.

- Feeling squirrely? Take a walk. (See above on movement.) I will often start working out a project issue during a walk and come back ready to tackle a project head on, and with new steam.

Good luck! I've got to get back to work now.

Debbie

Veteran

Thursday went better. I decided to do 2 hours take a break then do 2 more hours late lunch and the last hour. Not sure that what I will stay with that schedule but it was a start. Most of what I am doing needs to be done between 8-6.
This summer is going to be a challenge with my grandson being home. I am excited about the opportunity though and I am enjoy the work.