3 Tips to Get More Done 'At Work' When You Work at Home

How do you get down to work when the laundry is beckoning, you could get that roast in, or the lawn needs mowing?

Choose your view

The room I have chosen for my home office looks out the back of the house. And since it is on the second floor, it looks up the hill.

This view has become associated in my mind with work time. It is not the front view, it does not look at the side yard. It is almost like looking out the window where you (used to) work.

By having a different view that I do not see any time but when I am 'at work' it helps my mind get into work mode.

Choose the decor

Does the 'office' have office equipment? Printer? Desk? Bookshelf? Or is it clearly still the spare bedroom?

Does it have kid's artwork or family pictures on the wall?

I am not suggesting any of those choices are wrong. And if you are super-productive no matter what, then it does not matter.

But if you are having trouble getting down to work, change the decor. Make it very business-like to get you in the right frame of mind to get work done.

Protect your time

If the home phone or your cell phone rings, do you answer? Do you at least check caller ID to see if you want to answer?

Consider the isolation strategy. Isolate your business time from your home life. Don't answer the phone or allow the home phone to ring into your office. Turn the cell phone off. Or if on because an ill parent or small child has it for an emergency number, then only look if it is the ring tone you have chosen for that person.

Is your business a hobby or a business?

If a hobby, ignore the above. If a business, find the way to be 'at work' when you are at work!