When we're in the office, we know what we have to do. We have our calendars in front of us and our coworkers are right around the corner if we need anything.
But, what happens when you're no longer working from the office, but working from home? When you're in a different environment, you might find it difficult to get motivated. However, if you follow the steps below, you'll be able to stay on track, even from the comfort of your couch:
1. Prioritize
Whether you're the boss or the employee, it's important to know what is expected of you for the day. Do you have a big project to work on or an important meeting? Some tasks are more important than others and your schedule for the day should reflect that. If working from home is temporary, rearrange tasks that can wait until you're back in the office, Craig Malloy, CEO of Lifesize, explained to Inc. If you're usually remote, focus on your most important assignments. Which ones have closer deadlines? What one will require the most work? Arrange your tasks in order of importance and work your way down the list.
2. Time yourself
Sometimes menial tasks, such as answering emails, can get away from us. We can spend more time on them than intended. Give yourself a time restriction to work on specific tasks, startup advisor Murray Newlands suggested to Inc. This will prevent you from using too much of your day on one project, and you'll be able to accomplish more. Time limits can also help you avoid procrastination by giving you an already established end.
3. Keep in touch
Nothing is more important than constant communication when working remotely. Whether through email, phone conversation or video conferencing, you need to be able to give each other project updates and status reports. Video conferencing is best when staying in contact because it allows you to see the other person's nonverbal cues, from facial expressions to body language, Deborah Mitchell, CEO and founder of Deborah Mitchell Media Associates, told Entrepreneur.
4. Get a planner
It's a lot easier to manage your day when you have everything written down. Newlands suggested getting yourself a good agenda to keep track of all you have to accomplish. This can either be worked into a business's financial plan or purchased individually by each employee. There are both online and paper options and you just need to choose whichever one works best for you.
Working from home can be difficult if you can't organize your day correctly, but if you prioritize and stay in contact with your coworkers, everything should go smoothly.