When you’re just starting out, trying to get a home-based job can seem impossible. These quick work from home tips will help you stay focused on your goals, and keep you in the mindset to start your home-based journey on the right track.
If you want a little more guidance as a newbie, here’s a step-by-step plan to teach you how to work from home.
Top 10 Work From Home Tips
1. Always maintain the same level of professionalism that you would for a “traditional” job.
Though your employer can’t see you, they can still “see” you.
In most cases your work activity will be monitored, and your results will certainly be evaluated. So keep it just as professional as you would if your manager could simply walk into your office or cubicle.
In my opinion, it’s sometimes even easier to be a stellar employee at home because you get to be a professional in pajamas 🙂 .
2. Don’t burn bridges.
Keep your working relationships positive and productive. You might “run into” some of the same people from one company to the next. You might have a great opportunity, but you decide to leave the company to try something new.
Whatever the case, you always want to be considered a professional and eligible for rehire.
3. Starting out is not necessarily the time to be adventurous.
This is simple, but it is one of the most important work from home tips for beginners:
Don’t choose job functions that you know you don’t like.
If working in sales isn’t your strong point, don’t make it the first type of job you apply for when you start working from home.
If you don’t like it in the brick and mortar world, just because it’s work from home won’t make it any better. Start with a skill set that you enjoy, then once you get your bearings venture out into different job functions if you choose to.
The best way to build your confidence about working from home is to start with something that you are proficient with and enjoy.
4. Do your research.
Know what you are signing up for as much as possible.
5. Don’t listen to people who think anything “work from home” is a scam.
Most people mean well, but constant negative feedback will only lead you to discouragement.
Whether you choose to educate them or ignore them, don’t let other people’s opinions of home-based work stop you from pursuing your goals.
6. Refine your goals as you progress to stay motivated.
Set a specific goal when you are just starting out.
The goal could be the amount of money you want to make per month, the number of hours you want to work per week, etc. As you gain more experience and try more opportunities, set new goals to keep you motivated.
7. Don’t let a temporary setback become permanent.
If you find that you don’t like a particular work from home experience, do not let it adversely affect your perception about all home-based work in general.
Keep trying!
There are so many options for working from home, and you will eventually find something that suits you.
8. Don’t get analysis paralysis.
It is very easy to get stuck when evaluating your options. Be thorough, but don’t analyze to the point that you’re not taking any action.
9. Develop a network of other workfromhomers.
Other people who work from home, or who are trying to, are a great support system and source of motivation.
10. Don’t let working from home distract you from work.
You might think that the TV, your kitchen, the laundry, and all the other comforts and tasks of home won’t distract you, but think again.
When all of a sudden you can work AND you’ve got your own fridge within reach, whipping up some scrambled eggs during a training session or between calls can be pretty tempting (um…so I’ve heard 🙂 ).
In a survey conducted in June 2012 by Wakefield Research, of 1,013 American workers
- 43% said they watched TV or a movie,
- 35% said they did household chores, and
- 28% reported that they cooked dinner while working remotely.
Of course you can do these things during your break times, but unless you have a working arrangement where the only expectation is that you get the job done by deadline, don’t be part of the group that does them while actually working!
By the way, studies show that despite distractions home-based workers are still more productive than their office counterparts. Especially since working at the office has its own distractions.
These work from home tips are quick and easy, but they will definitely keep you on task if you are feeling overwhelmed.
What are your best work from home tips?
Love the tips. Regarding the fifth one, for a long time I had many people around me claiming that working from home and working via internet is a scam altogether. It can be really hard letting go of that mindset. Of course, there are many scams out there you should be aware of, but there are also many great opportunities that are worth giving a shot!