by constructaquote - 19 September 2017
Working from home is the goal for many entrepreneurs and consultants today, especially those looking to gain more freedom to look after their children whilst earning an income to support their family. Whilst working from home may seem like the perfect way to make a living, it’s important to note that it is not for everyone.
If you’re thinking of quitting your job to set up a home business, or you’ve found a role that allows you to work from home full-time, make sure you have the following traits to determine if you’re the right person for the job…
Motivation is so important when you work from home, especially when it comes to the dreaded Monday morning alarm clock. Highly motivated people will spring out of the bed in the morning knowing exactly what needs to happen that day in order to hit targets or reach a goal – without being told by anyone. Alternatively, people that struggle to get up in the morning or need to constantly be encouraged and reminded to get things done, will struggle to manage a work load by themselves. If you’re lacking motivation, allocating a power hour dedicated to yourself first thing in the morning is a great way to get going and set the pace for the day.
Workers that are laser focused can work from home easily without letting any distractions deter them from the task at hand. However, if your household is full of children or people coming and going throughout the day, you may find it much harder to focus on your work. If you’re prone to procrastinating and find yourself watching the TV, browsing the internet or doing the laundry – working form home may be more of a struggle. Allocate a space in your home that is predominantly your work area with minimal or no distractions. Maybe a home office, the end of a kitchen table, or a spot in a quiet room. Find what works for you early on before you waste precious time.
People that work from home can very often get carried away with different tasks and fail to prioritise the things that are important. Managing time correctly is crucial if you have lots of different projects and a variety of work to do for different clients/customers. Many people who work from home are guilty of wasting valuable work hours during the day and in return have to spend evenings and weekends making back the time just to get tasks completed. There are many productivity and project management tools and apps available to help guide you with our day to day work and get the most out of your time.
Working from home can be lonely, especially if you’re used to working in an environment with lots of other people. Touching base with your colleagues or clients via email, video message or social media regularly will help to maintain healthy levels of human interaction. Whilst you can stay in touch with people digitally, it’s wise to make the effort every once in a while to attend networking events or catch up with clients face to face. This way you don’t get forgotten about or feel like you’re out of the loop with what’s going on in your industry. If you’re a consultant, it pays to network and stay relevant with people as they could be potential prospects.
Many people who work from home get caught up in their comfort zone physically and mentally which can take its toll on how they feel day to day. If you’re stuck in a rut or have days where you find it harder than others to be focused and motivated, sometimes the best thing to do is take a day off. However, not everyone has that luxury. Instead, do something to improve your thought process, whether that’s exercising, getting outdoors on your lunch break or spending a few minutes watching something that makes you feel better.
Maintaining a positive outlook will mean you enjoy your work more and ultimately do a better job at it.
Are you a professional consultant working from home? Have you got the right insurance to protect you from expensive client or third party claims?
by Charlotte Houghton - 7 October 2020
by constructaquote - 6 October 2020
by Charlotte Houghton - 29 September 2020
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