By skyforbes 
Working from Home Tips for Success
I know a lot of people who work from home, work remotely, are their own bosses, etc. And they all do it differently. But there are a few things I think the majority of us can agree on.
1. Organize a workspace.
Maybe you’re one of those people who can be productive in a horizontal position on the couch in your robe with the TV on. (I, for one, am one of those people.) But if you’ve just found yourself in a new working from home role that’s a very, very precarious position. Before you know it the laptop is inching its way closed and soon you’re just watching TV. Or asleep.
For most people the best thing they can do when they start working from home is to organize a workspace. Maybe you’re lucky enough to have a spare bedroom or home office. Or maybe you just need to map out a corner of the living room or bedroom. Wherever it is, make sure it’s in a place that is well-lit and free of distractions. I have a corner in my living room by the window. I face into the living room, but if I had a better layout I’d want to face OUTSIDE the window because David is always roaming around and it distracts me.
But my home office has my laptop, my chargers, a phone charger, plenty of post-its (I am big on post-its for lists and organization), business cards, and a fan. I have headphones, as well, for when I really need to drown out the noise pollution.
My space is also still a work in progress. What I’d love to add are an essential oil diffuser (I have my eye on this one), a candle (because I like candles), and a plant (but probably a fake one because I am not meant to nurture living things).
2. Plan the day
When you’re suddenly faced with endless amounts of free time, it can (believe it or not) be overwhelming. The mantra, “I have ALL day” seems to ring true in your head louder than ever. Before you know it it’s 5 p.m. and you’re reaching for the wine and nothing got done. The most important thing I learned when I started working from home full time was to structure my day. Everyone’s optimal day looks different and it may take a few weeks before you figure out yours. I make lists on post-its. There’s nothing more gratifying than crossing shit off of a list.
Personally I’m more productive in the morning so I wake up extremely early, have a cup of coffee, and dive right in. I break mid-morning for the gym, and leave the afternoon for phone calls, additional articles, Vaera Journeys marketing stuff, and other administrative tasks.
3. Limit your email responses
One of the best things I did for my productivity was I stopped responding to emails immediately. Once you do that you’ll notice how much time you free up. I answer my emails in the morning, and then again in the late afternoon. Unless something is truly pressing, I let it be. Just because someone emails you does not obligate you to responding immediately.
4. Set a quiet period
There are times when you may find your attention slipping away – usually during the times when you need to concentrate on work. For me I start to lose my momentum around 3 p.m. That’s when I dedicate myself to do “deep work.” Deep work is steady, uninterrupted work. Sometimes I put my headphones in, or I close my gmail. I may put my phone on Do Not Disturb. Whatever it is for you, find that thing that forces you to push through. You’ll be happy you did.
5. Make a budget
This may not apply if you’re salaried and find yourself working from home. But if you’ve gone off on your own and suddenly you’re the one entirely in control of how much money you make and when, you’re going to want to make a budget.
My friend, confidante, and de facto financial advisor, Joni Sweet, gave me the greatest advice: save what you need in order to live for three full months (or more!). Save that as quickly as you can. You’ll be happy to have that safety net. After that you can begin paying off things like debt, or contributing to a “fun” account.
Also, if you have switched to contract work, be sure to take 25% out of each check and put it aside for taxes. You will thank yourself come April. Keep a detailed record of your expenses, as well. If you have the right accountant, you could save thousands in write-offs. For example, if you’re a “public figure,” aka anyone with a social media presence that is linked to their brand, you can write off beauty treatments. It’s true.
6. Utilize social media
For the most part, for me, social media is just fun. I like to do it. I like connecting with you guys. And I really like sharing my adventures, tips, and tricks. But social media is actually an extremely effective marketing tool, and if you know how to do it correctly then you can extend your reach, promote yourself, and promote your brand to thousands of people A DAY.
Don’t look at me as the expert. I’m not. (But I can point you towards those who are.) I’m definitely still learning, but I find the more I learn, the more traffic I drive to my site and to my portfolio, and the more business I earn.
7. Eat healthy
It may be tempting to snack 75 times a day – especially during COVID-19, when we are stressed beyond belief. But do yourself a favor and take care of yourself. It’s easy to fall down a rabbit hole of indulgence under the guise of “self care,” but truthfully, you’ll be way more productive if you keep a healthy routine. That said, you SHOULD treat yourself. If you want happy hour at 4 p.m. on a Thursday then just do it. We’re going through some shit right now.
8. Take time for yourself
Whether you’re working remotely because you wanted to or because you had to, remember to enjoy this time as best you can. If this was your dream and your choice, then remember that while it’s important to be disciplined and diligent, you also did this so you wouldn’t be chained to a desk anymore.
If this wasn’t your choice, then make the absolute most of it. You have truly been given a gift. And if you’re not able to work from home, then what is something you always really wanted to do? Write an e-book? Learn a language? Get ripped? It’s time to stop dwelling on the things that are out of our control and focus on the things that are entirely in our control — ourselves.