The 2014 National Study of Employers reports 67% of Americans spend time each week telecommuting. A February 2014 survey by PGi, a leading global provider of collaboration software and services, confirmed that telecommuting provides important emotional benefits for employees; it also delivers meaningful operational improvements for businesses. In fact, the State of Telecommuting 2014 found that employees who telecommute reported improvements in their stress levels (82 percent), morale (80 percent), productivity (70 percent) and absenteeism (69 percent). Telecommuting is more productive than working in an office.
Anne McGurty is the president and founder of the Arizona-based consulting and coaching firm Strategize and Organize. She suggests five tips that can help you get ahead and stay ahead.
1) Get a room. Having a designated workspace in your home is essential. Anne states, “You need an organized space in your apartment or home that allows you to keep your work space and your home separate.”.
2) Keep it professional. Another important tip for staying productive? Treat your home office like a business. “Ban barking dogs and playing children from your work space, and keep your desk and work area organized.
3) Get ready, get set, go. “Working from home takes self-discipline, and that means getting things done in the right time. The structure of a routine will help you avoid procrastination and boost your productivity,” says McGurty.
4) Get tactical. If you’re a morning person, use that time to tackle your most important goals, and leave emails and other tasks for later in the day. If you have more energy in the afternoon, flip the order. Get a change of scenery---leaving your apartment for an hour or two can do wonders for your focus.
5) Don’t forget “me” time. It can be difficult to disengage when working from home, but don’t let that stop you from maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Set clear boundaries around family and work time is key.
The flexibility and quality of life working from home provides is far greater than the challenge of managing any occasional lapse in focus or motivation you may encounter along the way.
Anne McGurty is the president and founder of the Arizona-based consulting and coaching firm Strategize and Organize. She suggests five tips that can help you get ahead and stay ahead.
1) Get a room. Having a designated workspace in your home is essential. Anne states, “You need an organized space in your apartment or home that allows you to keep your work space and your home separate.”.
2) Keep it professional. Another important tip for staying productive? Treat your home office like a business. “Ban barking dogs and playing children from your work space, and keep your desk and work area organized.
3) Get ready, get set, go. “Working from home takes self-discipline, and that means getting things done in the right time. The structure of a routine will help you avoid procrastination and boost your productivity,” says McGurty.
4) Get tactical. If you’re a morning person, use that time to tackle your most important goals, and leave emails and other tasks for later in the day. If you have more energy in the afternoon, flip the order. Get a change of scenery---leaving your apartment for an hour or two can do wonders for your focus.
5) Don’t forget “me” time. It can be difficult to disengage when working from home, but don’t let that stop you from maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Set clear boundaries around family and work time is key.
The flexibility and quality of life working from home provides is far greater than the challenge of managing any occasional lapse in focus or motivation you may encounter along the way.