What does “WFH” actually mean? It means working from anywhere, anytime, with anyone. But how do you get started? Where do you even begin?
There are many benefits to working from home, including flexibility, savings, and increased productivity. But before you jump head first into the world of remote work, make sure you understand what it really entails.
If you’ve never worked from home before, then you might not realize how great it really is. In fact, many companies encourage employees to work from home because it helps reduce absenteeism, improves employee morale, and boosts productivity.
But what exactly does WFH mean? And why should you care? Well, here’s a quick rundown of the top reasons why working from home is awesome.
Real quick, before we get too far into it here, if you want to get more great ideas for your gaming room or home office and want to connect with other home office hackers to make your space the best join my free private Facebook group, Home Office Hacks here.
What does “WFH” stand for?
WFH is a popular acronym that stands for work from home. It’s used to describe the growing trend of employees working remotely, either from their homes or from other locations outside of the office.
Remote teams of remote workers can be just as effective at getting things done as in-office teams. Working remotely has become increasingly popular due to its many benefits.
The rise of WFH arrangements has been driven by advances in technology such as collaboration tools, messaging tools, project management tools, etc. have made it easier for people to stay connected and productive while working outside of the traditional office setting.
For many remote employees, WFH provides a more flexible and convenient way to work, with the added benefit of being able to avoid the daily commute. In recent years, WFH has become increasingly popular as more companies begin to offer remote work options to their employees.
The benefits of working from home
There are many benefits to working from home, or WFH as it’s commonly known. For starters, you can save a lot of money on commuting costs and office clothes. You also have a lot more control over your environment, which can be a huge plus if you have kids or pets. And let’s not forget the most important benefit of all: no more office distractions or politics!
Of course, working from home isn’t all rainbows and unicorns. It can be hard to stay focused when there are so many distractions around you, and you might miss the social interaction that comes with working in an office. But if you can make it work, WFH is definitely the way to go.
How to make the most of working from home
For many of us, working from home has become the new normal. And while there are some definite benefits to be had (no more commuting! Fewer distractions!), it can also be a bit of an adjustment. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of working from home:
1. Get dressed for work. Just because you’re not going into an office doesn’t mean you should lounge around in your PJs all day. Getting dressed for work will help you get into the right frame of mind and be more productive.
2. Set up a dedicated work space. If possible, choose a quiet room in your house where you can set up a desk or work table. This will help you focus and avoid distractions.
3. Take breaks. Working from home can be isolating, so make sure to take breaks throughout the day to stretch your legs, grab a snack, or just step outside for some fresh air.
4. Stay connected with colleagues. Working from home can be lonely, so use video conferencing or chat apps to stay connected with your colleagues. You can even have virtual coffee breaks or happy hours!
5. Set office hours and stick to them. It can be tempting to work around the clock when you’re at home, but it’s important to set boundaries between work and leisure time. Establishing set office hours will help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Tips for staying productive when working from home
Working from home can be a great way to actually increase your productivity.
You read that right.
Nicholas Bloom, William D. Eberle Professor of Economics, Stanford University ran a study where he found a 13% improvement in performance for remote employees, which was contradictory to the expectation.
They also reported greater job satisfaction, took fewer sick days, and spent more time actually working during their shifts.
But it can also be a recipe for disaster if you’re not careful. Here are a few tips to help you stay productive when working from home:
1. Get dressed for work. For some people this is going to be a trigger to get them into “work” mode. Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you should work in your pajamas. That can set the wrong mindset. Getting dressed for work will help you to get into the right frame of mind for being productive.
2. Set up a dedicated workspace. If possible, try to set up a dedicated workspace in your home. This will help you to avoid distractions and maintain focus while you’re working.
3. Take breaks throughout the day. It’s important for remote employees to take breaks throughout the day, even when you’re working from home. Taking a few minutes to step away from your work will help you to recharge and come back refreshed and ready to work.
4. Set realistic goals. When you’re working from home, it’s easy to try and accomplish too much in a day. But setting realistic goals for yourself will help you to stay on track and ultimately be more productive.
5. Connect with co-workers and clients. Working from home can be isolating for remote employees, so make sure to connect with co-workers and clients throughout the day. Whether it’s through phone calls, video calls, or email, staying connected will help you to feel connected and motivated to work hard.
The challenges of working from home
Working from home has its challenges, to be sure.
From finding a comfortable spot to set up shop to contending with the never-ending temptations of the fridge, there are definitely some challenges that come with the territory.
There are 3 main challenges when it comes to working from home for a lot of people:
- The bed
- The TV
- The refrigerator
But for those of us who have made the switch to working from home, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
After all, there are plenty of advantages to working from home for remote workers that more than make up for the challenges.
For one thing, you can take a break whenever you want (within reason, of course). Need to do some laundry?
No problem.
Need to take the dog for a walk?
Go right ahead.
And there’s no need to worry about what you’re going to wear each day – pajamas are totally acceptable attire (with the previous exception noted for mindset).
Flexible working hours are another advantage of working from home.
If you don’t like the idea of waking up at 5am every morning, then you can simply choose to start later or end earlier if your job will allow it.
You’ll still get paid for the same amount of time worked, but you won’t have to wake up before sunrise.
That means you can sleep in as late as you’d like without having to worry about missing out on paychecks.
So while working from home certainly has its challenges, there’s no doubt that it’s also a pretty sweet gig.
How to create a successful remote office
Working from home can be a great way to get more done in less time. But if you’re not careful, it can also turn into a never-ending cycle of distraction and procrastination. Here are a few tips to help you create a successful remote office:
1. Set clear boundaries between work and personal time. This can be tricky when you’re working from home, but it’s important to set aside dedicated work time and stick to it. Otherwise, you’ll never get anything done.
2. Make sure your workspace is comfortable and free from distractions. If you’re constantly getting up to fetch things or adjust your position, you’re never going to be able to focus on your work. Invest in a good chair, a sturdy desk, and all the supplies you need so you can stay put and get down to business.
3. Take breaks regularly. It’s easy to get sucked into working long hours when you’re at home, but it’s important to take breaks and give yourself time to relax. Get up and stretch, take a walk around the block, or just step away from your desk for a few minutes every couple of hours. You’ll come back feeling refreshed and ready to work.
4. Stay connected with your team. Working remotely can be isolating, so make an effort to stay in touch with your colleagues. Schedule regular video chats or phone calls, even if there’s nothing specific to discuss. Just knowing there’s someone on the other end will help you feel less alone.
Following these tips should help you create a successful remote office that allows you to be productive and happy while working from home.
Next Steps
Want to connect with other remote employees, gamers and people who work from home who are creating the most amazing home offices and get more tips, tricks and hacks on how to make your home office or gaming room setup the best it can be?
Join my brand new free private Facebook group, Home Office Hacks to connect with other home office hackers to make your space the best!
