Believe it or not, there are many benefits tied to running a business from the comfort of your own home besides occasionally getting to work in your pajamas!
For example, it can help you save a considerable amount of money on business overheads, which is particularly useful when first starting out. In addition to this, both remote business owners and workers report better work-life balance than those who work full-time in an office setting, which often correlates to greater productivity and workplace satisfaction levels.
Of course, there are certain challenges associated with running a remote business that you must prepare yourself for ahead of time. With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can follow in order to find success when running a business from home!
Tip One: Set up a distinct workspace
When working from home, you’re surrounded by more distractions than ever. As such, it is important that you minimize them by setting up a distinct workplace within your home. This way, you’ll actually feel as though you’re “at work” when sitting behind your desk each day.
While the sofa may seem like the perfect space to set up shop, it also means you’re far more likely to reach for that remote and turn on the TV. Not only that, but it could lead to significant back problems due to encouraging poor posture.
As such, now is the perfect time to invest in setting up a home office. Start by purchasing the basics, such as a desk, ergonomic chair, and the relevant technology, before finding ways to make your desk more comfortable and inspiring.
Tip Two: Don’t forget this is still your home
Many entrepreneurs who work remotely fall into the trap of turning their homes into nothing more than a glorified storage unit for their products. While it’s easy to understand the logic behind this, being surrounded by boxes and clutter on a daily basis can lead to a build-up of stress and anxiety. Not only that, but it also means you aren’t getting any enjoyment out of your home!
As such, you should try to keep business-related tools and supplies within your office space as opposed to other areas of your home, such as your bedroom. You should also look into low-cost storage units in your local area that you can use to maintain your stock. This way, you can rest easy knowing that your products/supplies are stored safely and securely without having them lined up in every room in your house!
Tip Three: Stay productive
As mentioned above, getting distracted when WFH is relatively easy. For example, you may feel tempted to carry out household chores during working hours or to catch up on your favorite TV show. While this may not seem like a major deal to begin with, especially if you’re managing your workload fairly well, it is not sustainable in the long run. After all, it means that you simply aren’t being as productive as you need to be. This, in turn, could mean that you end up working late into the night in order to play catch-up during busier periods.
As such, it’s important to ensure you work as productively as possible. While this may seem somewhat surprising, one of the easiest ways to achieve this goal is by taking regular breaks – as taking a step back from work can lower your stress levels and heighten your focus.
On a similar note, you should always start your morning by writing out a plan or schedule for the day. This will help you to ensure that you’re spending your time wisely, while also working your way through your to-do list. While it can be tempting to put them off for as long as possible, always start by working on time-sensitive or difficult tasks. Not only can this help you to avoid missed deadlines, but various studies have found that we’re actually our most productive during this time.
Tip Four: Maintain a positive attitude
Unfortunately, running a business will not always be plain sailing. This means that from time to time, you’ll encounter challenges that feel as though you’re taking a step back as a company. However, it is important that you do not view these obstacles as the end of the road and instead as a valuable learning opportunity. By doing so and maintaining a positive attitude, you can continue to steer your business toward success.
If this is something you struggle with, try to look back on how far you have come, as opposed to thinking about how far you have yet to go.