Strategies and Tactics for Women by Dr. Shannon Reece

It is divine to work from home! But that doesn’t mean controlling your own schedule is challenge-free. This week I am pleased to share this wonderful guest post from Kimberly Crossland, who shares her top tips on staying productive in your home office. Thanks, Kimberly!

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To have a home office, you are afforded unique flexibility. However, it is this flexibility that brings along new challenges. Staying focused and productive suddenly becomes a necessary task that we must force ourselves to do.

Here are 7 ways on how you can help yourself be more productive in your home office:

1. Don’t Sacrifice Personal Hygiene

Your home office is so close, and after a good night’s rest, you are probably ready to dive into the work you left behind the day before. But don’t put your hygiene on the back burner. Create and follow a routine each morning to get yourself dressed and ready for the day. It will mentally prepare you for your work day much better than just diving in aimlessly.

2. Stay Accessible

Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you have to seclude yourself from colleagues or customers. Stay in contact with the other people in your business so everyone can be on the same page and focused on the same business goals. Using online collaboration and live chat tools makes this easy and rewarding for everyone.

3. Avoid Pantry Raids

Getting up to stretch your legs inevitably puts you in front of the pantry or refrigerator. And once you’re there you might as well… but stop yourself. Just because food is constantly within reach, does not mean you should indulge. Take care of your health and be conscious about what you’re eating and how much you move around throughout the day.

4. Make your Work Public

In your household, make what you’re doing well-known. Let your spouse, kids, or roommate know when and where you will be working. By designating specific hours and a work area, you signal to the people in your immediate world that you are focused on business. Likewise, turn off your work when you’re not scheduled to give fair time to your personal life, family, and friends too.

5. Plan Ahead

Keeping a to-do list is not something most of us do. But when working from home, it is much easier to get off task and focus only on the fun stuff that needs to get done. Instead, plan out your to-do list the night before, so when you start your day you have clear objectives of what needs to be accomplished.

6. Eat Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Just because you’re at home, don’t forget to eat hearty meals. Have a routine each day to help you focus your efforts and balance work and family.

7. Limit Web Browsing Temptations

Be careful not to let yourself get carried away online. Sure, it is interesting what Suzie is saying on Facebook, but hours can quickly waste away by indulging too much in social media or your favorite shopping websites. Keep time in these areas limited.

By establishing boundaries around your time, creating good work/life habits, and bringing your loved ones into the process, you can easily increase your productivity even when working from home. The key is consistency.

What work-at-home strategies do you find most effective when it comes to your productivity?

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Kimberly Crossland, founder of TheSavvyCopywriter.com  has a passion for technology, business, health, and life. She started her career overseas in Copenhagen, Denmark where she worked as an International Marketer.  Since then, she has moved back to the United States, where she is originally from, and is now continuing her career as a freelance copywriter. She works daily with small businesses on how to help them market online, increase productivity, and drive revenues, while focusing on a healthy balance between work and life.

Connect with Kimberly on Twitter.