Top tips for successful homeworking
PUBLISHED: 21:33 11 April 2012 | UPDATED: 11:50 28 February 2013
When regular SL contributor Tracy Cook heard that the Surrey Life editorial team were set to leave the safety of the office to pursue new lives as homeworkers, she got in touch with her survival tips. They were so good we thought we'd share them
When regular SL contributor Tracy Cook heard that the Surrey Life editorial team were set to leave the safety of the office to pursue new lives as homeworkers, she got in touch with her survival tips. They were so good we thought wed share them
1) Sorry, but don't work in your pyjamas. Feels wonderful at tenish, but by lunchtime you'll feel stale and crummy.
2) You needhuman contact.Try and get out several times a week - I know you're out and about more than me anyway probably, but if you have all day scheduled at home, try and go for a walk/meet someone for a coffee/ buy the paper from the nice man in the corner shop, just so you get to speak face to face with someone!And the fresh air's good too!
3) Keep exercising. You may not think your olddaily routine involves much calorie burning, but trust me, when your commute is all the way from your bedroom to your study, those pounds sure pile on!
4) Ban thebiscuits - and thecakes andsweets. They are the devil's work and the siren call for those seeking a comforting distraction.
5) Plan your lunch. Always have something yummy to look forward to. Use that saved commute time to knock up a homemade soup, or a delicious salad. Or use your walk time (see 2) to buy your favourite sandwich.Otherwise you WILLhoover up the contents of your biscuit tin (see above).
6) No YouTube-ing. Or shopping or browsing, or just checking Facebook...Just because no-one can see you...
7) Don't answer your home phone. Not unless you want Aunt Winnie's latest knitting crisis/your mum's blow by blow account of her doctor's appointment/your best friend who doesn't really believe you're working, 'cos after all, you ARE at home',toeat upyour day.
8)Never give your home phone number to contributors. Not unless you want Jim with the Altzheimers/June the psychology expert/that nice beekeeping man to have a baffling conversation with your nine-year-old son while The Simpsonsare blaring at full volume.
9) No procrastinating. Never believe it if you tell yourself you'll just pop on that load of washing, run the mop over the kitchen floor, nip to the shops for a few bits, phone the plumber and book an opticians appointment before you start work, because after all, you can just catch up later. You won't.
10) No distractions please! The ultimate bane of the homeworker: the Debrisof Your Life. All around you, on tap, right there. No peeking at those fab new shoes, or sorting out the receipts in your purse, or just doing a quick email to a friend. Keep those magazines firmly locked in the sitting room, hide that novel under your pillow, and NEVER switch on the television between nine and oh, alright, a quick peek at thelunchtime news can't hurt, after all you need to stay current,but just don't getstarted on Neighbours or Doctors. When you're working at home your defences are down and even Australian pap can seem entertaining...
Share your top homeworking tips below...