Here is a repost of my LinkedIn St. Patrick’s day post, if you’re not used to working-from-home I hope they help. Check it out to see what other people added.
I wasn’t going to do this – jump on the change everything you think and write about based on current affairs band wagon…
As I’ve had more than one person ask me how to successfully work-from-home here are the UpYourTeleSales Tips.
IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP: these are probably not valid if you have children currently at home with you – sorry. I’m childless by choice and think it would be irresponsible to not give you the warning.
- Dedicated space
If at all possible, I’d recommend you set up your virtual office somewhere it can stay set up. If you have the luxury of a private space – use it!
The key is to not keep setting up / breaking down every day – it takes time, will become annoying, and isn’t productive.
- Keep your work-in-office routine
Get up at the same time you do when you go into work and stick to your morning routine. If you are used to exercising – keep to it. Shower and get dressed like you’re going in to a casual work environment.
- Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT try and do housework, laundry, dinner prep, etc. during office hours
Here is a simple rule – if you don’t do it when you’re in the office… don’t do it at home!
The goal is to WORK-from-home. You are doing your regular job virtually. Think of it that way, always.
- Treat your spouse/significant other/roommate like you would someone in another department
If you’ve got people at home, and you’re an extrovert – it will be tempting to get into awesome conversations with the person/people you like enough to live with! That is ok, as long as you consider that your watercooler, breakroom activity.
- Get up and MOVE – schedule it.
A friend of mine shared that she is worried she’ll end up stuck sitting for 10-hours. My recommendation is to make sure that doesn’t happen.
I have reoccurring meetings 2x daily to get up and move. It’s important.
Also, I do my best to give myself 15 minutes between meetings to make sure I have time for a bio break, plus stretch.
- Log out, log off, stop working
It will be very hard to separate work and life when you’re at home doing both. This is especially true for people who typically get work calls and email on your cell.
Please make sure at the end of your workday you log out and truly stop working. At least like you do when you’ve gone into the office.
The KEY is really discipline and dedication.
Of course, a few bottom line (or bottom of the barrel) rules you make for yourself are fun to. Mine are I don’t work in my pajamas and don’t drink until I log off. I joke that both are a slippery slope… but it’s true.
Yours don’t have to be mine – but create a couple for yourself and stick to them.
Not everyone is built to work from home, some people love it. If you’re stuck there for now I hope these 6 tips and 2 keys make you more productive.
Stay Heathy,
Lynn
PS: The great thing about inside sales is we’re already used to NOT seeing people in person. Stick with your success routines while you’re at home. Listen more intently and know that people have a higher distraction level than normal. Most of all – know this is temporary and we’ll get through it.
Comments (0)