WFH: Setting Yourself Up for Success

While I’ll be honest and say that hanging out with my cats is easily one of my favorite reasons to work from home once a week, there are many (arguably more important) that make it the best decision for my productivity. Some companies believe that working outside the office creates too much opportunity for distraction but, for others, allowing this flexibility is a proven smart management choice.

Coffee shop or kitchen counter, working away from the office allows more space for deeper thinking on the projects that demand it. For our teams, that could mean creative production for a visual identity system, coding for multiple data sets, strategic planning for a new initiative, or you know, blogging. Removing the distractions of daily office goings-on lets you focus on what’s in front of you rather than what’s going on around you. It also may help you relax and keep a coworker’s stress from influencing your own.

Of course, working from home not only supports different workstyles but different lifestyles. It’s a great solution for those who need to be home for whatever reason, from package delivery to parenting. This flexibility helps employees maintain a work/life balance within the workday—to meet deadlines and get the laundry done. That, and the pajama dress code doesn’t hurt.

If you think working from home might work for you or your company, here are a few ways to make the most of your time away from the office:

Designate your workspace

If you work from home often and have the room, set up a home office. It will put you in the right mindset and signal that that’s where you’re work gets done. However, if you only WFH once in a while or have limited space, the kitchen table will do.

Start the day with your usual morning routine

Follow the same steps you normally do before you go to the office. This helps put you in the right mindset.

Make a task list

Creating a clear list of items you need to accomplish helps you keep moving, and is there for you to reference if you ever get off track.

Take your usual breaks

Don’t feel like you are chained to your desk (or the table) all day! Be sure to incorporate the breaks you usually take throughout the day to keep to your usual cadence. Whether taking a walk around the block, grabbing a snack, or drawing to clear your head, stopping to catch your breath will help in long term productivity.

Know your work style

If you seem to get more done in a bustling environment, don’t be afraid to head to your favorite coffee shop or even the park. As long as you’ve got a hotspot or a reliable internet connection, you’re good to go wherever.

Communicate with your team

It’s okay to snooze the notifications settings while you’re heads down, but make sure to check in with your co-workers via your office’s messaging apps or over the phone as needed throughout the day.

Set your end time

This will not only keep you motivated to finish everything you need to but help you maintain that ever important work/life balance.

Though every office is different, MODintelechy has a culture of integrity that allows us each to do our work in our own way—and working remotely is only one of the perks. Take a look at our portfolio, if you think you’re a fit for the team—we have a lot to offer.