How to be Super Organized When Working from Home

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The idea of working from home may be a dream come true for many. However, if you’ve got kids to deal with as well, working from home is tough, at best! Being a mom is challenging enough, but having to include work in your schedule can be extremely difficult.

On the other hand, it has many benefits you and your children will gladly enjoy. But you have to organize your time to be successful. That’s why great organizational skills are required. But don’t worry, we can help you organize your remote work perfectly!

1. Create a work station

If you want to work from home, having a separate room you can use as an office is great. However, not everyone can afford that. Therefore, you need to create a separate workspace where you’ll be able to finish your tasks in peace. How can you do so?

Pick a place or a corner you’ll solely use for work. You’ll need a desk and a high-quality chair to support your posture. Ensure you have enough place to store everything you need, from papers, over files to different office accessories. Equip your mini working space with a lamp, laptop, or desktop computer and a phone if you need one.  

It is also important to ensure your health and safety are considered when planning your space. This article How to Support Your Health and Safety When You Work From Home has some great tips for considering air quality and electrical safety in your space. 

2. Set the hours

Setting the work hours is essential if you want to stay organized while working from home. Every day start your work at the same time. Pretend you’re in the office and set the agreed number of hours you need to work on. That will leave you enough time to take care of the kids in the afternoon or cook lunch during the break.

By limiting your work hours, you’re letting everyone know that you are off-limits once your “shift” is over. This means that you won’t be replying to emails or answering job-related phone calls. You need to rest and spend some quality time with your kiddos. That’s why time organization is important as well.

3. Create a to-do list

Before you start your day, consider creating a to-do list of tall the tasks and things you need to finish up during the day. Make your work things a priority, then check some private things off the list if there’s some time left. However, you need to be realistic. If you overbook yourself, you’ll only feel drained at the end of the day.

The goal is to create a list that will help you organize time for each task, not to complete every little thing you had in mind. It’s okay to leave things for tomorrow as well. Your mental and physical health come first. 

4. Organize your space

You know what they say, a tidy desk leads to a tidy mind. If your desk is filled with different kinds of papers, contracts, work, and personal stuff, you won’t know where to begin with work. That’s why organizing your space is essential. 

The first thing you need to do is clean your desk each day. That will make you keep it neat and tidy. Purchase paper holders and cabinets, if necessary, to neatly store the documents. Keep a trash can nearby so you can throw away everything you don’t need. Even if you’re the worst cleaner, you can use these tips to keep your home clean. On top of that, pen and pencil holders and organizers are crucial for each desk.  

5. Establish a routine

Establishing a daily routine can help you organize your work better. You’ll have to incorporate work, kids and house chores in one routine, so great organization is crucial. How can you overcome possible obstacles?

Wake up a bit earlier each morning to feed the kids or make them breakfast. If possible, cook the night before so you’ll have lunch ready. Start your day with a cup of coffee while checking your emails and tasks for the day. Focus on your tasks and put off things you can do later, such as house chores. Don’t forget to check on your kids from time to time!

6. Avoid multitasking

Many think that multitasking can save your life. However, it is in fact your worst nightmare! If you want to focus on your work and excel in it, you’ll have to remove or minimize the distractions. So, stay focused on one task at a time!

Even though you may think you can keep 10 work tabs open, while having a telephone conversation with your boss, writing a project, and calming down your kid, you’re wrong. Therefore, if your kids are old enough to understand, try to explain that you’re working. If you achieve all the tasks, you’ll do them poorly. Remember, quality is more important than quantity.

7. Secure your data

Working from home requires taking the security to another level. As cybercrimes and hacks are more frequent, you need to protect sensitive data and keep your clients’ trust. The easiest way to do so is by installing a reliable VPN on your computer.

In addition to that, making sure that your Internet connection is secure really helps. Verifying your accounts and double-checking your passwords is always a good idea especially if you handle finances, sensitive data, or confidential files.

8. Take frequent breaks

If you want to maintain your focus and productivity throughout the day, you need to take frequent breaks. Rest your eyes from the screen and your mind from work by checking up on your kids, refilling your mug, or stretching.

Breaks are essential for continuous work, especially if it requires focus and creativity. This gives you time to eat a meal, play a bit with your kids, feed them, and get on with your day. Recharge your mental batteries during these breaks and start your work refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges.

9. Stay in touch with co-workers

Catching up with your colleagues and keeping up with the happenings at the office is vital for your mental health. You need to take a break from being inside the house all the time and see what your coworkers have been up to. 

Stay in touch with your colleagues through reliable communication channels. If you need to share confidential information, content, or simply chat, logging on to the employee engagement platform will increase your mood and brighten your day. Sharing daily pictures, files, and info with coworkers has never been safer and easier.  

10. Save time for your family

Spending enough time with your family while you’re working from home is crucial! You don’t want to neglect your kids, pets, or your spouse while you’re working. With amazing time and work organization, you’ll be able to spend more time with your family and less time checking and writing your emails.

So, is working from home really worth it? If you learn how to organize your time, space, and tasks, working from home is an ideal opportunity to make money while staying at home. Remember that it takes time and practice to excel in the organization skills, but in the end, it will be worth it!

Conclusion

As you can see, a good organization is quite simple if you’re determined to succeed. It will make your life and work a lot easier. On top of that, you’ll have more time to enjoy yourself with family and watch your youngsters grow. Working from home is fantastic for a mom like you!

Find the best jobs for stay-at-home moms here!

Credits to:  Morgan Rose Elliott is an aromatherapist, yoga instructor, animal lover, a happily married mother of three. She enjoys reading biographies and writing poems, sunny days on the beach, and any shape and form of vanilla. Crazy about the ’80s, her favorite band is Duran Duran (although kids prefer Franz Ferdinand, and the husband Blink182) and she is obsessed with Netflix’s original Stranger things.

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