If you’ve decided that it’s time to make the switch from running your business at home, you’re probably feeling a little excited – and so you should be! Working from home comes with lots of benefits like more flexible schedules and being able to work from the comfort of your own sofa if you need to. However, it’s important not to take advantage too much because you might find that you become too distracted and lose business. So, let’s explore the best ways of transitioning from an office to running your business from home.
Have an Office space
The first thing you need to focus on is creating some sort of office space in your home. And don’t worry, if you don’t have much space, a simple desk in your dining room will suffice. Not only will you work more productively from a dedicated desk space, but it will help you stay organised too. And, at the end of the day, you’ll find it much easier to separate work life from your home life. Once you’ve got that space set up, make it comfortable with ergonomic seating and make sure you keep the area free of distractions like the radio or TV.
Stay in Routine
One of the hardest things to do when working from home is making sure you stick to a routine. It’s all too easy to think “oh, I’ll just put a load in the washer” or “I could catch up on that one episode.” Create a work schedule that works for your lifestyle but still stays productive. Even if you’re working in your pajamas, a structure will help you meet deadlines and keep your business on track.
Get the Right Tech
Now that you’re going to be working from home, you need to make sure you have the right tools in place. Things like a smart POS system can be really helpful if you’re constantly managing orders or taking payments. The same goes for other tech that might make your life easier like a scanner for important documents or even a printer to print custom labels for your orders. Kit yourself out so you can stay on track.
Stay Connected
Another issue you might run into when you’re working from home is isolation. That’s why it’s important to make sure you stay in touch with team members, clients or customers. There are so many tools available like Slack or Zoom, or you could even do the old fashioned thing and pick up the phone. Not only will you feel less isolated from the world, but you can keep track of things to keep your business running smoothly.
Look After Your Well-Being
Working from home sometimes means you’ll find yourself working way later than normal. And that’s fine every now and then, but it’s important to prioritise your well-being too. Set a schedule or an alarm to alert you when it’s time to wrap things up for the day. You still need to make sure you’re eating well, getting enough sleep, and having me time too.
