In the last few years, there has been a shift away from the traditional 9-5 working pattern, and more and more people are working from home. If you have an office or studio at home, you can enjoy greater flexibility and take more control of your diary. Jumping out of bed in the morning and walking downstairs to a study may seem like a dream commute. But there are downsides to working at home. It?s easy to get distracted, for example. Thankfully, there are ways to avoid pitfalls. These hacks will hopefully make you more productive on your own turf.
Establish a routine
This is perhaps the most important thing you can do when you start working from home. In an office, you have set hours, 
and you know that you?re there to work. At home, it can be tempting to lie in and have a cup of tea in front of the TV before you start work. Try and get yourself into a regime, which ensures that you get everything done. Separate your work and home lives. Once you?ve finished work, then you can relax. Start every day by writing a to-do list, and work your way through it. Most people tend to work more efficiently in the mornings. If this is the case, begin your working day early, and tackle the toughest tasks on your list.
Make an effort with your workspace
At work, you want to feel motivated and inspired. It?s hard to muster up enthusiasm for a job if you?re staring at blank walls or shut away in a windowless basement. If you have dedicated office or studio space, make an effort with the design. De-clutter, and inject some color. If you?re looking for design ideas, search online. Sites like Pinterest and Instagram will provide you with inspiration.
Get organized
They say a tidy desk makes for a tidy mind. If your in-trays are hidden behind stacks of paper, every job will take longer than expected. Give the room a spring clean before you start decorating. Invest in storage, and have a system in place. Once you?ve read documents, file them away or put them in an out-tray. If you?re pushed for space, look into mailbox forwarding services. You can direct your mail to an address, and it will be forwarded to an online mailbox. You don?t have to give out your home address, and you?ll save room in your filing cabinets.
Before you start working at home, make sure you have everything you need. Have you got all the gadgets you need? Have you downloaded the relevant software? Is your Internet connection fast enough?
For many people, working from home helps them achieve a better work-life balance. At times, it can be hard to get motivated and stay focused. But if you have a routine in place, you?ll soon get used to your new workspace. Keep to a timetable, manage your schedule, and plan ahead. Keep your workspace tidy, and turn it into a place, which makes you feel energized.
