Working from home seems to be the wave of the future; a study suggests that nearly one-third of all office employees do at least half of their work at home – and we’re talking not only about entrepreneurs and freelancers but about employees of both the private and public sectors as well. Chances are this trend is bound to continue and grow.

However, with all the conveniences it offers, it’s not always easy to be as efficient and productive as possible; there can be a lot of distractions. Do you want to be a successful work-from-home entrepreneur? Here’s how.

Use that gained time

When you’re working from home, you’ve gained at least one hour – the time that you would otherwise spend on commuting. Use it wisely. It would be great if you spend 30 minutes in the morning figuring out what is important for that day, and maybe another 30 minutes at the end of the working time to review or make your schedule for the next day.

Create an office

It’s a cliché, but it’s true – you need to have all the tools available in order to be productive, and a simple table and chair with a laptop won’t do. Have an office, and create an office atmosphere. It might require a little investment, but it’s going to pay off because it’s a lot more practical, and you’ll be able to get into the right frame of mind when you start working. Tools such as time management software (such as the one developed by Alpaka-Punch.com) are a great help as well.

Execute professionally

You don’t need to wear formal dress when you’re in your office at home, but it’s a bad idea to work in shorts or pyjamas as well. Also, if you need to make conference calls, why not have a backdrop so your office looks professional to others. These things make a big difference.

Keep track

Keep track of your time, of your assignments, of what still needs to be done, and what has been done already. Make sure to include proper breaks in between tasks – we all need breaks.

Avoid distractions

You’ll be bothered by your children, your spouse, your pets, and your doorbell. Avoid these things, and make it clear you’re busy. Turn off the TV and social media for a while.

One of the most important things to remember is that you should fix your schedule as you find it most comfortable – that’s one of the perks of working from home, after all. Instead of going grocery shopping on a busy Saturday morning, take advantage of a calm Thursday morning, for example. However, make sure you stick with your schedule and be as productive as you can. Once you’ve managed to plan your days and weeks efficiently, you’re set for a much more comfortable professional life.

Image attributed to Pixabay.com