Winter is in full force, and for some folks, that means snow and ice galore. But despite the frigid weather, you probably still have work to do, particularly if you have an association to run.
Now I know what you’re thinking. On one hand, working from home can be great. You’ve got your pajamas, a TV, blankets, and best of all, a stocked fridge. But on the other hand, how is anyone supposed to get any work done with all of those distractions around?
Fear not. Working from home can be just as effective as working from an office so long as you follow a few simple tips:
Get dressed
I know how tempting it can be to stay in your pajamas all day, but swapping sweatpants for real clothes can actually help you stay focused. Now I’m not saying you have to throw on a dress or suit, but putting on decent clothes will definitely give you a psychological boost. Not to mention, if you happen to receive an unexpected video conference call that day, you’ll be happy you dressed for the occasion.
Find a dedicated, quiet spot
You may not have an at-home office, but finding a dedicated, quiet spot to work from is key. This may be at your kitchen table, a coffee table, or perhaps even a countertop, but no matter where it is, it needs to be clean so that you can focus on your work. It’s also a good idea to select an area away from your TV or kids, if at all possible. This will help you avoid additional distractions.
Define your goals
Establishing goals is necessary to stay focused on any job, but it’s especially important if you want to remain on task remotely. If you end up having to work from home, create a to-do list first thing in the morning to keep track of what needs to get done. You can even use a to-do list app, such as Any.do or Wunderlist, to hold yourself accountable.
Reduce web clutter
Having multiple tabs open at once is great if you’re doing research for your association, but it can be quite distracting if one of your tabs is always on Facebook or Twitter. To avoid the temptation, close out of any tabs you don’t truly need for work.
Minimize check-ins
While it’s important to check in with your colleagues throughout the day, checking in too much can actually become counterproductive, especially if you’re in a position of leadership. Bombarding the people who work for you can be really stressful for them and can actually make them feel less connected to you. It might be a good idea to establish set check-ins throughout the day so that everyone can get caught up without feeling smothered.
