6 things you need to have when working from home
Since going freelance and then setting up my business 5 years ago, I have learned a lot of things along the way! I have slowly picked up some habits which make working from home as productive and enjoyable as possible.
1) A notebook
I use an app called Evernote to make hundreds, if not thousands, of lists! This is a fantastic tool as it syncs with my phone and laptop so I can make notes on the go, or while sitting at my desk and it will be on both devices. However each evening, I re-write my ‘to do’ list ahead of the next day with the most urgent things that should get done that day in a notebook. There’s nothing like ticking it off the list and whizzing through it as fast as I can once I have deposited the kids to school and pre-school!
2) IT support
Honestly I have wasted hours, probably days, trying to fix different IT problems which could have been sorted out by an IT company most likely in minutes.
It imperative to have the right IT support avialble and quick IT solutions which know won’t break the bank or end up costing you even more time. It was a relief for me when I found the correct IT support and stopped needing to figure it all out myself.
3) A quiet place
We converted our loft a few years ago and I was able to set up my office in the spare room. It’s extremely small and cosy, but sitting at my desk there automatically gets me into work mode. This room also seems to be a bit of a dumping ground for miscellaneous toys, but I try to keep it as tidy and clutter-free as possible, with good lighting such as a lamp from Dandelion Interiors and a nice smelling candle for a bit of zen!
4) Stay off social
This isn’t an item as such, but I TRY as much as possible to stay off social media when I’m trying to get work done. Checking in to Facebook or Instagram can be such a time drain. I often find myself spiralling down into the black hole of Facebook and forgetting why I even logged onto it in the first place. I usually try to do my work in blocks and then ‘reward’ myself with a little look on social media after I have ticked at least a few things off the list. This is something I need to improve on, but I think I’m slowly getting there. I’m writing this blog post in the morning and haven’t even checked my channels yet!
5) Something cosy to wear
Comfort is high on my list of priorities when working too. I have a big cosy pear of slipper boots which I always wear and have been known to wrap up in an oversized men’s sweater – there’s a good selection on Terrace Menswear (or I can borrow one of my husband’s hoodies) – or even my unicorn onesie if it’s really cold! I also have a plugin radiator I can use rather than heating the whole house if I’m there for the day on my own.
6) A change of scene
I tend to work remotely from a local cafe once a week for a change of scene. I usually combine this with a meeting or two in Tunbridge Wells. I think a change of scene is good for the brain and generally I seem to be able to whizz through my emails this way.
I tend to drive into town as I usually have to collect the kids straight after from school. At the moment we have a sensible ‘people carrier’ car but at some point I would love to upgrade to something nicer. Yes Lease are a leading car lease broker and have some really competitive options which might be something to consider…
