What’s happening right now is tragic, but over the last few weeks, I’ve at least gained a little insight into how to work from home effectively. I’m now on my [insert day] and have some things to report. If you’re finding it hard to adjust to the remote lifestyle, check out my top 10 tips to creating a successful and positive work from home experience.

But First, What Is Working From Home?

Working from home is when companies give you an option to perform your job duties outside of the office. Now, for most of us, and thanks for COVID-19, we weren’t really given the option. Working from home was the only option. Now, let’s get right to the tips!

#1. Don’t sleep in

Okay, you can sleep in a little bit – but don’t get carried away! Even though you’re not actually going into work, you’re still going to work. So, you’ll want to set aside some time for yourself in the morning (think of it as your virtual commute). This is your time to get zen and prepare for the day ahead of you. Drink some coffee, read the newspaper, listen to the radio, etc.

#2. Create a schedule and (try to) stick to it

Working from home can be exciting, but it can also be super distracting. In order to keep yourself organized and on track, take some time to plan out a schedule for your day or week. What are the goals you’d like to get accomplished? Write them all down and then get rewarded with that satisfying feeling when you get to cross them off.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to schedule in a solid 30 minute lunch break, some 15 minute breaks in the morning or afternoon, and a clear quitting time!

#3. Keep work and home separate

Speaking of quitting time, you’ll need to set some boundaries for yourself both physically and mentally. Set up a work station in your house or apartment that is designated specifically for working – aka, not your bed. This will help you keep your work life and your personal life separate and therefore make it much easier to “turn things off” when you’re done working for the day.

#4. Go outside

When you work from home for an extended period of time, you tend to forget to go outside. Fresh air and a quick walk around the block can help boost your morale and clear any creative blocks.

#5. Wear actual clothes

I know you’ll probably want to wear your pajamas or a robe or maybe nothing at all while you work from home, but trust me, put some clothes on.  When you’re snuggled up in something comfy or the clothes you slept in last night, it can be hard to focus and stay productive.

#6. Communicate with your boss, coworkers, or anyone

Working from home can be super isolating, especially if you’re not used to it. Not only is it important to communicate with your coworkers to make sure everyone understands their responsibilities and are all on the same page, but it’s also nice just to have some human contact to help keep you sane.

#7. Set aside time to do housework

Yes, working from home provides ample opportunity to get things done around your house. Doing laundry, taking the trash out, vacuuming that one room. Eventually, one thing leads to another and you’ve done everything except what you were supposed to be doing. If household chores are distracting you too much, set aside some time each day to allow yourself to do one chore. Then, back to work.

#8. Don’t snack all day

Having access to your fridge, pantry, or kitchen in general may tempt you to eat all of your emergency snacks. Don’t do this! Try and follow your normal eating routine as if you were still in the office so as not to increase distractions and unnecessary eating.

#9. Get up and move around

If for some reason you can’t go outside, make it a point to at least get up from your chair and do a couple laps around the house, stretches, jumping jacks, anything. You wouldn’t confine yourself to your desk all day in the office, so don’t do it at home either. A few breaks to get your blood pumping will help increase productivity.

#10. Stay positive!

If working from home hasn’t been as easy as you thought it would be, it’s okay. It’s definitely an adjustment that takes some getting used to. If you’re in a temporary WFH position, encouraging yourself to stay positive will definitely help the time go by quicker and may increase your mood as well. Plus, now you know more about yourself and what works for you.

Ready for another few weeks of working from home? We are too. To make your WAH life easier, a telephone answering service like SAS can help. Here are a few things we can do:

• Answer your calls giving you time to do housework and snack
• Take messages while you’re sleeping in
• Help maintain work and home separation by transferring calls only during normal office hours

The post 10 Helpful Tips to Successfully Work from Home appeared first on Specialty Answering Service.

Here are the top 4 things to consider as you delve into the world of “work at home call centers.”

Where can you find these jobs anyway?

A post on Forbes.com lists the top 100 companies offering flexible jobs from home. Though “work from home” ads are, more often than not, scams, there are actually employers who believe in work-life balance. And there are big-name corporations looking to fill these positions, such as Dell, Xerox, Pitney Bowes, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Aetna, and Bausch & Lomb, just to name a few.

What should you say in the interview?

More importantly, here’s what not to say. Don’t say that you have a million things on your personal calendar that will prevent you from working a consistent shift. Work at home call centers need employees who are committed to a certain number of hours back-to-back. Granted, there are virtual office assistant positions that allow you to work whenever the spirit moves you. But remote receptionist services require a steady schedule.

What can you expect when you’re working from home?

Unless you, house plants and the occasional spider are the only living things in your home, expect distractions. Do you have barking dogs? Kids running around? Is your rickety old washing machine making too much noise for you to focus? Yep. These are all interruptions that can easily derail your train of thought. And let’s not forget your cell phone, personal email, and the lure of your cozy bed.

What can you do to keep your job, and your sanity?

Make sure that your home office is comfortable, free of clutter, and has adequate lighting. Take breaks throughout the day. 5 minutes to stretch here and there can make a huge difference in your energy level. And don’t forget to eat! When you’re on a roll (pun intended), you may inadvertently skip a meal. Above all, for heaven’s sake, make sure that your office has a door. This will keep noise out when you’re working, and keep work from being on your mind when you’re not!

The post Work at home call centers – 4 tips before you start your career. appeared first on Specialty Answering Service.