Work From Home Guide: How To Get Started With Everything You Need
Whether it’s for freeing up available commute time, creating a better work-life balance, or simply avoiding cubicle life, there are countless reasons why more and more people are considering working from home.
With the right tools and maintaining a certain level of dedication, you can also work from home and become successful in achieving your goals.
This guide will provide you with the steps and resources to get started working from home so you can begin reaping those rewards.
Benefits of Working from Home
One of the main reasons people switch to working from home is that it enables them to reap the rewards of a flexible schedule, but that is only a small part of the story. One of the great advantages of working from home is that you can save money on numerous expenses.
Flexible working hours and no commute can also noticeably reduce stress levels. It has also been touted as a way to improve the atmosphere and productivity of a work environment.
- No commute
- Balance between family and work more easily
- Reduction of stress levels and improved ambiance
- Reduced expenses
- Creates a more productive work environment
- More flexible working hours
Tools for Working from Home
Being successful as a remote worker requires more than simply getting comfortable with finding a work-at-home job. It requires having the right tools in place to help you stay organized, connected, and productive.
Here are some tools to help you to get started and properly set up to work from home:
High Speed Internet
A high speed internet connection is essential for working from home. Your connection should be reliable and fast enough to power up video calls, stream music, upload and download large files, or access multiple webpages at once without any hiccups. Investing in a good Wi-Fi router and a higher speed internet package can also help make sure your work from home setup is running smoothly.
Laptop, Desktop Computer or Tablet
Computer hardware such as a laptop, desktop computer or tablet are essential for remote work since working off a smart phone can be limiting. Additionally, it is important to invest in a quality internet connection to help ensure reliable access to the web-based tools required to successfully complete work. A reliable and secure wifi connection is also essential for keeping data secure and ensuring uninterrupted work. You may also need a headset with a microphone for participating in video calls and audio conferences.
Time Tracking App
One of the great advantages of working from home is the ability to manage your time more efficiently and with less distractions.
Having a time tracking app or software that can help you track tasks and manage your schedule can make a significant difference in how efficiently you work from home. It also allows you to easily juggle multiple tasks if your job requires that.
Trustworthy time tracking apps such as Toggl, Timely, RescueTime, or Timeneye can help you maximize the effectiveness of your work hours.
Collaboration Platform
When you’re working remotely, you need the right tools to stay connected with your teammates and work together more effectively. For this purpose, a collaboration platform will be a useful tool.
Platforms such as Asana, Slack, Trello, and Jira can help you maintain communication and collaboration between everyone involved with a project.
VPN
When you’re working from home, one of the most important tools is a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN will help ensure your data remains secure and private when working from home.
This is especially important if you are deploying a web-based application that connects to a company’s internal network. A reliable VPN will protect your data from any malicious parties or hackers.
Video Conferencing App
Video conferencing has been used for years as a way to provide customers and employees with an easy way to collaborate over long distances. Video conference apps like Skype or Zoom can help you communicate more effectively with your team via face-to-face meetings.
Instant Messaging App
An instant messaging app is another helpful tool when you work remotely. Instant messengers can help to streamline communication between your team and can provide a convenient way to answer questions quickly. Popular instant messaging apps such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Telegram are great options to help you stay connected with your teams.
Cloud Storage and File Sharing Tools
To keep your work organized and make sure all your files are stored securely, cloud storage and file sharing tools are essential. Cloud storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive can help you store and share your files with your team in a secure environment.
Project Management Software
When you’re working from home, project management software can help to keep you on track and organized. It provides an overview of all tasks and allows you to assign tasks to team members, monitor progress, and collate feedback. Popular project management apps such as Monday, Asana, Wrike, and Trello are all great options to help you stay productive when working from home.
Creating an Effective Work Environment
If you’re used to working in an office environment, it’s important to create a similar environment at home. This will help you get into a productive working mindset and make it easier for you to stay organized and stick to your routine.
It’s important to design and plan an area of your home specifically for work. Proper lighting and furniture are key to make sure you can work comfortably. Make sure you can sit in your chair in an ergonomic position and adjust the lights correctly. It’s also important to minimize distractions and noise by creating a designated workspace.
Getting Organized
Organization is key to staying productive and making sure you’re always on top of tasks. In order to work effectively from home, you need a way to organize and prioritize tasks.
Creating a system for organizing tasks is essential to making sure you’re on target and staying up to date with the most important tasks. You can use a to-do list app such as Wunderlist, Todoist, or Asana.
In addition to this, it is also important to set realistic deadlines for yourself and hold yourself accountable to them. An organized working schedule is key to being successful.
Working from Home Pros and Cons
Pros
- Flexible working hours
- More control on how and when you work
- Reduced overhead costs
- Improved work-life balance
- Reduced stress levels
Cons
- Decreased interaction with colleagues
- Potential distractions
- Risk of security breaches
- Lack of office infrastructure (no desk, wifi, etc)
- Specter of isolation
Staying Connected
If you’re used to working within an office environment, the prospect of being isolated and disconnected from others can be challenging. Staying connected with coworkers and friends is important to ensure that you can effectively collaborate and keep building, strengthening, and growing relationships.
The right communication tools are essential for staying connected and productive. Collaboration software such as Slack, video conferencing apps such as Zoom, and messaging platforms such as Skype can help you virtually connect with coworkers and collaborate without co-location.
Practical Tips for Working From Home
Working from home can provide you with flexibility in how and when you work and can lead to improved productivity and a better atmosphere for work. To get the most of out working from home, here are some practical tips that can help you succeed.
- Dedicate a specific area for work—designating an area where you can work is important to ensure that you are in the right mindset to work.
- Set reasonable and realistic deadlines—practice setting realistic goals and tasks that you can complete within a certain timeframe. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you are meeting deadlines and staying productive.
- Establish a routine—working from home can give you the flexibility to work the hours you want as long as the work is completed. Create a schedule and stick to it to maintain a strong sense of structure in your work process.
- Configure communication tools properly—Having the right communication tools in place can help you maintain communication with your team. Pick the right tools and configure them properly.
- Take frequent breaks—taking frequent breaks can help keep your focus and motivate you to keep working. Utilize breaks to take a short walk, stretch, and keep your circulation flowing.
- Invest in ergonomic furniture—investing in ergonomic furniture and equipment will help you stay productive, organized, and motivated.
Conclusion
Working from home is an increasingly attractive lifestyle choice for many, and with the right tools and a dedication to success, anyone can reap the rewards of this lifestyle. With this guide and resources you will be set up for success when you switch to working from home.
Remember that working from home requires you to be organized and accountable (not to mention realistic) to achieve your goals. Also, don’t forget the importance of having the right tools in place to help