Working from home can be a huge source of productivity. However, it can also be chaos. What makes the difference, between productivity and chaos, is your ability to stay organized. You may wonder how to stay organized when you work from home. Here we provide some time-tested tips.
Why is being organized when working from home important?
Being organized when working from home makes you more productive. You have good boundaries between work tasks and home errands and as a result have more work-life balance. You have a better use of your time and are more efficient. You know what to prioritize and can plan ahead.
Tips to stay organized when you work from home
Work at a desk in an office
Always work from an office or a ‘makeshift’ office like the end of a table. Have your computer or laptop set-up as well as other peripherals such as a monitor, mouse, notebook, pen, etc. That way, you are always organized with your office set-up at the beginning and the end of the day. Avoid plopping down with a laptop on a couch or a bed.
Keep your work clothes ready in a section in your closet
If you have teleconferences you may have to be dressed and be presentable. Lots of times, I get a meeting notice at the last minute and have to jump into action. It really helps if I have a section of my closet devoted to ‘teleconference tops’ that I can access and put on easily. I also have comfy, but presentable, pants, just in case you have to get up during the call or have to run out to an errand.
Have your makeup and jewelry picked out for last minute work calls
Have your work makeup and jewelry picked out and readily available ahead of time. Practice work makeup looks that are polished and presentable on your computer camera. Review good jewelry choices.
Plan ahead and schedule
What meetings do you have next week? When will you get your workouts in? When do you want to schedule a vacation? Think about these items in the appropriate interval. Schedule things in a paper or digital calendar.
For instance, quarterly, are you planning an outing or a vacation? If so, take the time to research flights, hotels, etc. If you plan ahead, you also will remember to ask for the time off ahead of time at work. You won’t be last minute with the request.
At the end of a workday, look at your schedule for the next day, then plan what tasks you can realistically get done based on that. You want to go to a friends dinner party on Tuesday evening. Maybe then you won’t schedule a 4 pm work call on Tuesday but do it Wednesday instead. Thinking ahead keeps you organized and gives you more work-life balance.
Use a planning tool
Keep lists of projects, to-do lists, goals, etc. using some type of planning tool. It could be a paper office planner, or as simple as a notebook. I love to use digital planners such as project management tools, to organize tasks for work. I find it really makes my work go faster and I don’t forget about little tasks I need to do.
Be organized with your communication
Follow through with people. Generally, it is good practice to reply to an email in 24 hours or one business day. I have found that one of the greatest success factors at work is responding to people in a timely manner. It keeps you organized and shows others you respect them. This is especially true when you work from home, as people can’t see you at your desk, so they need to know you are actually at work.
Remember to eat your meals at ‘regular times’
Even though you work from home, eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at regular times as if you were in the office. Take breaks at regular intervals. Don’t be answering work emails on your phone while eating your lunch.
Keep your workspace neat and clean
At the end of a workday, or a slot of time, such as Friday afternoon, tidy up your work area. File away or toss stray paper that made its way to your desk. Put articles, such as pens, glasses, coffee mugs back in their original spot.
Have work-life balance
The greatest gift you can give to your organized self is to have work life balance. Think ahead of what activities delight you, renew and refresh you. What family activities do your regularly need to do? What errands do you need to run? Give these activities importance and balance them with your work life. Having good boundaries between work tasks and your personal life is a good form of organization.
When you stay organized when working from home, not only are you productive at work, but you have more time for you. This minimizes stress and results in more joy. What could be more comforting than that?
