WORKING IN THE HOME OFFICE – 5 TIPS

Most sales people are used to working in a home office. All others have to adjust to the new situation first. Work, private life and the presence of the entire family – not so easy to manage. Here are 5 tips to help you get things done anyway:

I myself worked in a home office for 11 years before I allowed myself the luxury of an external office.  And quite honestly: I don’t want to go back. But at the moment, for many people it’s the only way. Make the best of it!

1. Build a workplace
   In today’s paperless world, it’s tempting to just work at the dining table. Maybe there’s no other way. But look around first.For an improvised home office space, it would be nice if it wasn’t in the middle of the family area. And ideally you don’t have to do anything else there except work.  Maybe you have a desk you can use anyway, then it’s easy.Otherwise, maybe a folding or garden table will do for the next time, which will find its place in a corner of the bedroom or in a guest-, hobby-, ???- room.  The separation of private and professional life is particularly important in the home office.
2. Determine your working hours
   Think about when you want to start working and when you want to stop. In the home office, you run the risk of working too much or too little, depending on your type. If you define specific working hours and stick to them, you will probably work enough but not too much. In addition, the family can adjust to when they have to leave you alone and when they can spend time with you. By the way, the defined workplace also contributes to this. When you’re there, the others know that they have to leave you alone… at least in theory – it probably takes some time to get used that rule.
3. Alternatively: Assign tasks.
   I always do this when I have less to do. To be sure that I still manage something and have a good feeling, I think about what is important today, write a list and check it off step by step. When everything is done, I finish work. Even if I have only invested a few hours, I still end my working day with a good feeling. That way you can make sure your priorities don’t get lost in all the confusion.
4. Take breaks
   Most people tend to work too much in the home office.  To avoid falling into the same trap, plan breaks. Work in the home office is more focused and intense because there are no small distractions that are always happening in the office. Treat yourself to a coffee on the balcony or a lunch break with your family. Since everyone is here, this is a good opportunity.If you plan for these times and really go back to work afterwards, you can treat yourself to that.
5. Close your office
   For me, the biggest challenge used to be having the computer in the house. I often left it switched on in the evening, even though I was actually already off work. Later I would go back to it to “just quickly” do something. This is tiring and not very effective. Find a ritual for closing the office at the end of the day. For example, tidy up the workplace and put the current tasks in a drawer or a box. Not only will the table look nicer, you won’t be reminded of work all the time. Be sure to turn off the computer completely. This is better for the computer (ask your IT person) and also for your work-life balance. 

In the next blog post I’ll give some tips for online video conferencing. If you have a lot of contact with customers or colleagues, this topic will become important now at the latest. I will publish the next blog post here the day after tomorrow. 

By the way, if your head is spinning in your home office or you feel overwhelmed by the situation, book an online coaching session with me. I can help you in all personal and sales topics at short notice and effectively.