Jan 12

Written by: Dylan Barber
1/12/2010 2:23 AM 

Here are a four strategies you can use to get the most out of your time at home:

• When is your peak efficiency? At what time during the day are you most alert, focused and ready to go? How long does it last?
  Maybe you work best from 8am to noon. But, are so brain dead in the afternoon, you might as well be doing something else. Then perhaps you get a second wind after dinner for 3 or 4 hours, and voila, there’s your 8 hour day. Not quite your typical day at the office, but you’ve gotten twice as much done as you would otherwise. For some people it’s starting a 5 am, others like to work through the night.
  The trick here is to pay attention to your internal clock and figure out when your energy is highest.
• Do other things during your down time: Exercise, groceries, oil changes. If you are not the 9 to 5 type, then this works perfectly because you avoid the crowds at stores, the gym, and the garage filled with the people who only have time on weekends and after 5pm on weekdays. No line ups, no waiting around = more efficient.
• Create a work friendly atmosphere. Not only have dedicated workspace that is tidy and organized, but make it inspiring and inviting. Hang art on the wall, have potted plants in the room, play music that helps you concentrate, buy comfortable furniture. Feeling good in your environment results in improved productivity.
• Stir things up once in a while. If you are uninspired in your normal space, set yourself up with a laptop and work in the dining room or living room, or add a cell phone and go to your favorite coffee shop once in a while. Sometimes completely new surroundings will help you work better and faster. Plus, it’s more fun!

Being flexible and incorporating interesting strategies into your work habits are some of the best advantages of working at home. Do you have any unconventional ways of improving your efficiency and effectiveness?