It's the acronym we've become very familiar with over the past year - WFH. As more and more businesses move to a working from home model, it's a way of life that some of us may not have experienced until we first heard of COVID-19.
As someone who has worked from home for six years, I've definitely copped the 'wow that must be so fun' and the 'I bet the long lunch breaks are nice' - neither of which are the case.
Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate the ability to work from home, now more than ever, however it takes dedication, self-motivation and time management. Not to mention the ability to self-entertain - there's no office birthday cake celebrations to break up your day.
There are major perks to WFH too - not getting distracted by the many office conversations, not needing to worry about any co-workers bringing in fish for lunch, and the ability to smash out more work in an hour than you knew was possible. But, let's be real here, the true MVP of WFH is the all-day loungewear.
So to help you on your way and make the most of this situation we find ourselves in, yet again, we spoke to business coach, Carly Taber, for her top tips for successfully working from home.
"As an online business coach to purpose-driven women, working from home over the last three years, I have tried it all, and learned what works and what doesn’t," Taber said.
"Ultimately different routines and setups will work for different people, however these core practices tend to apply across the board, in order to go from surviving to thriving."
Create a dedicated work space
Ideally an office or desk that you can work from so that the energy of that space is one of productivity and no distractions such as your phone. Better yet, ensure an ergonomic chair, natural light and fresh air.
If you have to use your dining table, have an anchoring item that you put down on the table (such as a cup of pens, an oil burner or vase of flowers), or play a certain type of music, and that signifies the energy and intention of it being a working space. And similarly, when you are finished, you take that item away so that it returns to simply being your dining table.
Have set hours that you work on/in your business
When you have a clear start and stop time it minimises the unproductive behaviour of thinking you have all day. Otherwise you will end up working from when you wake up until when you go to sleep, which is often unnecessary.
Focus on what matters
Focus on the revenue-generating tasks that are going to move the needle in your business. This means marketing, selling and nurturing.
If you are an early-stage entrepreneur and want to go from surviving to thriving, spending all day designing something in Canva or perfecting small details on your website is not going to make you money. Don’t waste time being busy for the sake of being busy. Busy is not a badge of honour.
Align, serve, sell - daily
Using this structure for your day sets you up for success. First align to your why and your intentions. For example, journal, meditate, exercise, create or review your priorities for the day. Then from that aligned space, serve your clients and audience, giving lots of value.
And then the last and most important piece is to sell! Selling is serving. If your service helps people achieve their desired state or experience and the world would be better because more people took your service, it is your job to ensure they get it. How will they know about it and be able to access it, if you are not sharing it or inviting them?!
Cultivate connection
Send voice memos or have a video call where of value over an email or text (without creating unnecessary meetings of course!). Personal connection will reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation.
Have fun!
Integrate the things that bring you joy such as playing music and enforcing pattern breaks throughout the day (personally I love dipping in my pool, but you could also have a stretch, meditate, dance, make a nourishing lunch).
Follow Carly on Instagram for more inspiring business tips, and check out her coaching services here.
