Tidy Tip for Working from Home
Unique Challenges of a Home Office
Working from home presents a whole variety of problems that working from an office never does. This past Monday, for instance, I got a late start at work because I was distracted by an unmade bed, a load of laundry in the dryer that needed folding, and a sink full of dishes. And rather than just leaving the mess behind by driving away to work like I used to when I had a regular 9-5 job, I had to tackle it head-on before sitting down at my desk.
Easily Distracted by Mess
This is one of the consequences of having a home office. I get easily distracted when I’m surrounded in untidiness. It’s a problem I never used to have until home became work and work became home.
Perhaps you can relate.
- Do you find yourself having difficulty concentrating on your to-do list when your house is a mess?
- Do you seek refuge away from home–in a coffee shop or library–just so you can get some work done?
- Do you get interrupted a lot by non-work related things?
- Do you use household chores as a way to justify procrastination?
I know that I can say Yes to all of the above. Of course after four years of working from home I have discovered some strategies that help me to be more productive in my home office. One of these tips would have gotten me to work earlier this past Monday. It is the following:
Tip: Tidy up the night before your next workday.
Had I taken a quick half hour to fold laundry, clean the kitchen and clear my desk on Sunday evening I would have been able to transition right into work on Monday morning without delay.
- I know that a messy house distracts me.
- I know that Monday mornings are always a bit bumpy after a weekend.
- And I know that my best chance for a successful start begins Sunday night.
The same, of course, applies to the other nights of the week, too.
A productive, successful business day begins the evening before. Know what is likely to interrupt and distract you on the following workday and try to eliminate it the night before. It will help keep the lines between work and home less blurry.
What do you do on Sunday night to prepare for Monday? Share you tips here!
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