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Many companies throughout the world like Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon have set up their workers to work from home, while smaller companies are also starting to get into it and setting policies accordingly. Working from home is not a foreign concept, and work from home jobs have been around for a long time.

However, many companies are not set up to be efficient remotely. The transition will prove to be difficult for them, but with the following guide, it can be made easy, so the same amount of output is seen as working from a regular office environment. Whether it’s working from home or working from an office, work is work, and if the needed input is given, the results will surely be just as well.

Working from home or working from an office should not pose much of a difference, as long as the environment you create for yourself is to your full potential and lets you put in your hundred percent efforts. Work from home jobs have their benefits and may seem daunting at the start, but they’re not! We can teach you the ins and outs of a home-based job and help you master them fully to produce the most successful results!

Since most of us have no prior experience in working from home, there are some basics which should be followed to make working from home easy and functional.

Make a Schedule:

While most of us may have the flexibility of setting our timetable for working from home, it is better to stick to a schedule we’re used to, or our employers recommend.

To not increase already existing stress, your schedule does not have to be binding. Rearrange it according to what suits you best, as long as you keep getting a considerable amount of work done.

Set a Working Space:

Considering the circumstances, it is not likely that the majority of us already have an existing home office to work from. But, a make-shift space can be made. You need to have a quiet and peaceful space to work from. All you need is a table, a chair, a laptop with a working internet connection, office supplies and you’re good to go!

Have Reliable Electronics and Internet Connection:

Since you will be the connection between you and your company, and will likely need to communicate with them often, having a reliable phone, computer and internet connection is essential for you.

Your working space should have an outlet and a backup electricity supply in case you run out of battery or charging. Make sure you also have a backup internet supply in case your internet is down, such as data on your mobile phone.

Dress Accordingly:

No one will see you while you work, but dressing appropriately will put you in the right frame of mind and will increase your productivity levels.

This does not mean dressing up into formal clothing like you would for a regular office, but changing out of pyjamas into at least day clothes can be a start. While you don’t technically need to do this, it can help demarcate your time from your work time and make it easy to follow a schedule and stay up to date.

Communicate:

While, not having to see your boss or co-workers every day sounds like a good idea, keeping them out of the loop though may not be. If you are working remotely, communication with your employer and colleagues is essential.

Stay in touch with them via email, instant messaging, or programs that allow you to work simultaneously with your colleagues on shared documents. Stay within reach via phone and emails and check-in with your boss or co-workers if you have confusions any time along the way.

Don’t Get Distracted:

Working from home may seem easy, but it can be difficult to keep yourself focused if you’re constantly faced with distractions such as the doorbell ringing or your family talking in the background. Keep your workspace relatively distraction-free.

Consider getting noise-cancellation headphones, or use other methods of sound-proofing. If you live with a family or roommates, let them know that you are not to be disturbed at this time.

Avoid Extra-Curricular Activities in the Time Period:

If there are some household tasks or chores you are required to be tending to while you’re at home, schedule them according to your working timetable so that you don’t need to use your ‘office hours’ for household tasks.

You need to be disciplined and able to manage time efficiently. Avoid taking breaks for cleaning or cooking and schedule time for them later, so they don’t pose a distraction while you work from home.

Keep Your Mind Fresh:

Working from home can over some time become quite lonely and claustrophobic, especially when you’re stuck in a routine and can’t leave your house often. Some ways to keep yourself from falling into the monotony is to keep your mind fresh.

Try to set up your working space near a window so you can have a view of the outside while you work. If you’re not lucky enough for that, keeping an indoor plant near your work table is fairly low-maintenance and can have a positive effect. Keep yourself well hydrated and have healthy snacks in the middle to keep your energy levels up.

These are just a handful of small essentials to fulfill to make working from home a wholesome and positive experience for yourself. Choosing the best environment for yourself and optimizing it according to your needs is the secret to having a successful home office.

However, if you usually had been accustomed to a 9-5 on-site job, you will find transitioning to a home-based job quite difficult. But fret not; we have a few tips for you to make the transition easier for you.

Organize your Data:

Transitioning from an office-based job to a home-based job will not be easy, and the first step you should be covering is to organize all your data and files.

Because of being physically apart, your employees or colleagues will need simpler access to files and data that may be under your attention or being handled by you. To provide all necessary information to them promptly will be essential.

Using cloud-based storage where you can keep everything updated and within reach of everyone else working with you will prove to be important. Programs such as Google Drive and Dropbox must become your go-to applications for keeping everyone up to date.

Re-think your Methods of Communication:

Since you will have less face-to-face interaction with your employer, employees or colleagues, you will need to have access to an easy form of communication that can be done remotely.

While trying to save money, a lot of internet-based applications will let you make phone calls and video calls locally and globally, such as WhatsApp, Facetime, Google Hangouts, and Skype, to name a few.

If calls are not required, communication can also be continuously made through emails and instant messaging. Of course, communication in an office-based environment is different from home-based jobs, but it can still stay fairly efficient through other mediums.

Keep Everyone Working:

Perhaps the most difficult part of transitioning from an office-based job to a home-based job is how you keep a check on your co-workers or employees and see if they’re staying on task and are working the required amount. This seems difficult as it is in an office environment and can become ever harder while working from home.

Getting rid of the 9-5 schedule can make this easier as then assessment of how much work is being done can be done based on project deadlines, so your employees can work at their convenience, don’t need constant checking up and keep getting work done.

Perhaps you can reward your employees for results, so they keep achieving them. You can keep track of the amount of work being put in through software like Trello, Toggl and Tick, to name a few.

Get Rid of Security Risks:

With a team spread out and everyone working from different locations, security risks may fast become a concern considering everyone will be working on separate computers and from different networks. Keeping them secure should be made a priority, and you can do so by taking a few essential steps.

Everyone should be updating their passwords regularly, and the passwords chosen must be well secure. Have individual employee devices encrypted for data and emails? Make use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) for remote network access, which can keep most of your online activity encrypted. Company laptops set up to already be secure can perhaps be the best option.

Don’t let Organizational Culture End:

With everyone working from different locations, the previous company culture that your company might’ve had will probably not be very easy to keep up with. However, having a company culture is not everything. Some teams do find it easier to work without having to meet each other constantly. A successful team is one that can work with each other from anywhere, treat each other with respect and get work done efficiently.

However, that does not mean you don’t have to see each other’s faces at all. You can very well keep the organizational culture alive through meetings such as monthly meetings, holiday parties or any other form of get-together, so you don’t forget how your colleagues look. Making use of regular video conferences and meetings over Skype or other programs to go over plans and tasks can also play its part in keeping the company culture living.

Going through the transition may not seem easy initially if you have never worked remotely before. Still, there are lots of examples worldwide of remotely working companies and organizations that have proven themselves to be quite successful. While the thought of transitioning may seem daunting if you follow the basic protocols, you too can make it a success for yourself!

Working from home may not be everyone’s cup of tea; but it may be a good decision for many. We have here listed some pros of working from home, and if you go through them, maybe you will rethink your contempt towards it.

Independence:

Working from home is not just sitting in a comfortable environment and working according to your own rules. It also helps massively in strengthening your focus, concentration, self-reliance, motivation and confidence.

With no one else breathing down your neck constantly, you are the only one keeping yourself in check, and how you manage your time and get work done when you need to is an important life skill to have.

Your Own Schedule:

You can make your schedule according to your work ethic. If you can’t work continuously for hours, you can give yourself refreshment breaks in the middle to keep your energy levels up. You will need to make still sure that all your work is being done, but you can have more flexibility.

Keeping a certain amount of ‘office hours’ is still essential, but you can divide them; however, you like and set it according to your most productive hours, be it morning or night. You can work with a schedule you’re comfortable with.

Comfortable Environment:

Probably, for many of you, your office’s cramped cubicle, glaring white lights and broken coffee machine is not the ideal environment to work in. One of the pros of working from home is to be able to create a comfortable working environment for you.

You can choose a spot you like, maybe by a large window or somewhere on the patio. You can choose your comfortable chair, and can even set up the noise levels and the temperature to however you like it to be! No more nosy co-workers and boss intruding in your space.

Dress however you like:

While staying productive, it is recommended to at least change out of pyjamas even if you’re working just from home, but it is not needed to wear a crisp ironed dress shirt or khakis anymore!

You can wear regular day clothes that you find the most comfortable as there’s going to be no threat of anyone seeing you in it while you work. Just make sure if you’re attending a meeting on video conference, you’re dressed appropriately, at least from the waist up even if you’re wearing no pants under!

Save Money:

Working from home will come with a major benefit for you: you no longer have to commute from your home to the office! No commuting can itself help you save a lot of money.

While you will also have to no longer pay for other expenses such as expensive lunch, which is not an option if you’re working in an office. You can prepare food at home and have it when you’re hungry, saving yourself a considerable amount of money every month. Your home office expenses can also be written off on your taxes.

More Work can be Done:

While it is a common misconception that working from home is often not as efficient as working from an office, this is not true at all. When you work from home, you can be more productive than the regular office worker.

First off, you don’t waste time commuting to and from the office every day. You also can set your schedule according to your most productive hours in a day and no longer have to take one hour in the morning at office to bring yourself into the working mode. You are free from office interruptions and are relatively more stress-free and can put in more work.

Your Loved Ones get More of You:

With working from home, you will be wasting less time commuting to and fro from work, which means that time can be substituted spending with your family. Your schedule will also have relative flexibility, which means you can spend time with your friends and family more often if you can shift things around a bit.

Perhaps, attending events will also become easier for you if your work was keeping you from them before. Your pets will also surely enjoy you being at home more often!

While working from home may have its cons as well, we like to believe; the pros outweigh them severely. Working from home may be a difficult decision to make for many, but surely one you will not regret in the long run! Working from home, whether, was your choice or not, you can surely make the most of it.

Homeworking jobs are no walk in the park, and there are some crucial things to know about it before you consider transitioning from an office-based job to a home-based job.

It should be Legal:

Your city or the area where you live may have imposed some restrictions on people trying to start a business from their homes. A lot of jobs require meetings with a lot of clients, and if you think a lot of clients will be coming to your house for meetings, it may pose a problem if your city or homeowners do not allow it. So make sure it is legal in your municipality for you to pursue it.

You will have to put in more of your Time:

It is a common misconception that working from home would mean that you will have to work less because no one is watching over you. This is not true; however, as employees working from home put in more hours than employees working from offices.

A recent study showed that 73% of remote workers were putting in more work than required compared to 68.5% of employees who were working in offices. Also, without a traditional office environment and having the advantage of no clocking out time, remote workers generally tend to overwork if they lose track of time.

Technical Difficulties may slow you down at Times:

It is a fact that you will have to face technical difficulties while you’re working in an office-based job, but if you are remote working, you will have to get accustomed to having to face more technical challenges than the former.

While you’re working at home, technical aid may not be as readily available as you’d wish. Some programs also set up restrictions for those trying to access them out of an office environment. Thus all data may not be available to you on-hand.

So make sure you know about all restricted programs before you decide to work from home. Internet and power failure may also pose to be a problem if you don’t have any backups for them.

Taxes may not apply to you the Same Way:

Working from home means that you will probably be taxed differently than before. You can either be an employee working under someone from home, or a freelancer, and you will need to fulfill certain criteria to be able to subtract home office or business expenses from your taxes.

The office space that you have set up to work from must be used regularly and only for business and must be used for your administrative duties and where you keep your books and records for appointments and supplies you require.

Before you set up your home office, consulting a tax professional is advisable, so you know the exact ins and outs on how to pay your taxes.

Balancing Work and Family will not be Easy:

While you’re trying to balance working from home and maintaining time with your family under the same roof, setting boundaries may become difficult. Working in an office removes the responsibility from your head to have to balance it yourself as it balances it for you, but working from home means you’ll have to set your schedule accordingly.

Some days you will need to give more of your time to your work, and on some days you will have to give more of your time to your family. Getting all your work done and giving your family the required attention is up to you. Make sure your family knows when not to interrupt you and make sure you also know when to stop working.

You will have to face more Distractions than you can think:

Having no one checking up on you while you work to see you staying up to speed may seem like a blessing, but having to keep a constant check on your self is not as easy as it seems. Social Media, chores and general activities around the house may call for you more often while working from a home-based office, and to stay focused is entirely your job.

As seen, home working jobs sound like they would be more relaxed, but they require real effort to be made to be successful. These are just some of the few pointers you must keep yourself vary of while trying to start a home-based office or business.

But, not to forget, like everything, this too comes at a price. Working from home may seem like it is worth it, but there are some costs you will have to face, no matter how much you try to minimize them.

Main Expenses:

Here are some of the expenses you will have to bear when you’re working from home, but there is some good news if you have a business account you can include part of these costs into your accounts to save yourself from tax.

Rent:

When you’re self-employed, you cannot charge your business rent because technically, you are the business. It is, however, true that if you’re renting your home from a homeowner, you can be entitled to a share of the rent for your business.

This will work if you dedicate a certain area of your house to your office from where you will exclusively be working. If you end up selling your home, if you own it, you will need to pay tax for the number of rooms you were using for business, so keeping your business to a limited number of rooms will be beneficial for you.

Council Tax:

You will need to contact your local council to get information on how to claim council tax back. Normally, if you use your house for business, you will be able to claim a part of your council tax back.

The rates of the council tax will vary according to what they are set by your local council and the value of your property. However, you may have to pay business rates rather than council tax depending on how much you use your house for business.

Utility Costs:

While you’re working in an office environment, you don’t have to worry about the costs of electricity for running the systems and lights, or the gas being used in the office kitchen. But while you work from home, you can notice the spike up on your electricity bill at the very least as you start working with more appliances and equipment than you are typically accustomed to.

These costs may increase over time, the more you establish yourself. But lucky for you, you can claim the business proportion of your electricity and gas costs that you’re using for lighting and heating your home office.

Broadband and Telephone:

Broadband and telephone expenses are also other forms of expenses that you don’t have to worry about while working from an office as your business takes care of it. But while working from home, you will notice a spike up in your telephone and broadband bills as well, and you’ll be spending more time on-line than off-line to keep up with your daily tasks.

You can also claim for your telephone and broadband by showing the actual usage of the line. If you can prove how much of it you’re using for business and how much for personal use, you can claim the full cost of all your business usage. Installing broadband solely for business use can make this more comfortable for you.

Insurance:

If you have recently started using your home for business or recently started a home-based job, it is not likely that you have insurance for it. You will probably have home insurance that does not cover the business portion of your home. For this, you will need to get working from home insurance so that your business use of the building is also being covered.

Calculating Business Use of your House:

The costs may seem like a lot while you’re working from home, but there are some ways to claim for these costs by calculating how much of your house is being used for business.

If you’re an independent worker or are in a partnership where your partners are also independent individuals, you can use the simplified accounting method that allows a flat rate calculation of how much of your house you’re using for business use.

For the flat rate method to work, you need to keep account of the average amount of hours a month you spend running your business at home and then add a fixed amount for the business use of your home in your accounts. Using this method will be easy and simple to calculate.

Though the expenses may seem like a lot at worst, there are also multiple ways to save while you’re working from home, so if you work this out well, you can balance out the costs, so working from home doesn’t seem as tedious.

1.Buy Products and Sell from Home:

If you’re looking to set up an online business from home, this may be a good option for you. This is a very simple model to follow and only requires you to purchase in bulk from suppliers and sell individually with a profit for yourself. If these products are easy to store and ship this is a good low-maintenance option to consider

2.Sell Products you make yourself:

If you have a specific hobby or things you make yourself, such as homemade hygiene products or food items, you can consider turning that hobby into a business.

Since you’ll be the creator and seller of these items, you can manage every aspect of it. You can choose to sell these via Etsy or your private website and will prove to be a good way for you to involve passion with work.

3.Own a Blog:

Starting a blog may seem like it won’t be worth much at the beginning; your blog can be a well-paying home business.

Your blog can be on any topic that interests you, and there are multiple ways to earn from it, such as advertising, charging fees for membership, selling your homemade or drop shipping products, getting sponsors or have others write sponsored posts for you.

4.Start a Printing Business:

Starting a printing business can have a similar model to a dropshipping business model. You don’t have to ship it yourself; have to have a supplier for yourself. If you consider yourself good at designs or can create creative designs, all you need are white label products and can sell a wide range of products such as books, t-shirts, mugs, and cushions, to name a few.

5.Become a YouTuber:

Many people consider being a YouTuber as not a real job, but it is, in fact, no lie that they probably end up earning more than the average worker with a regular job.

Just like a blog, your YouTube channel can be independent or can be used to promote your other business of the products you’re selling. By becoming a YouTuber, you can earn money by becoming a YouTube partner by advertisements, sponsors, or selling merchandise.

6.Sell your Services:

Running a service-based business is perhaps even simpler than running a business in which you sell products. If you’re a creative professional or have expertise in areas such as designing or marketing, you can freelance or work with companies right from your home.

You can juggle multiple clients at a time but won’t require as large a market as you would if you’re selling products. You can tutor, train, write, and design right from your home.

7.Teaching & Tutoring Online:

With more and more people preferring the ease of technology, the demand for online classes and courses has increased over time, which means that there is also a need for teachers and tutors. It is fairly cost-effective and provides a vast range of topics and any you’re comfortable teaching. You can sign up for websites that provide a platform for teachers or tutors to work from.

8.Virtual Assistant:

For any existing business or individual worker, you can become a virtual assistant. A virtual assistant is someone who handles small tasks for their employer, which can be entering data, answering emails, managing online presence, updating blogs or scheduling. Most virtual assistants charge by the hour and can earn a considerable amount of money from their home.

9.Entering Data:

This is another field of work where you work with a company or a business for whom you will be entering data. Data Entry is done into some form of database, and you don’t need to have a lot of experience for this. The fee of the Data Entry is usually charged according to the size of the database.

10.Freelance Writing:

Content writing as a profession has met with a rise in recent years as competition amongst businesses has grown, and content marketing makes up for most of these businesses’ online presence. Businesses are constantly looking for freelance writers to constantly pump out content for them and can earn a hefty amount.

There are multiple ways to earn from home, and with more of the world going online, the possibilities seem limitless. You can earn a good amount of money in most of these ventures. Just find what works best for you, and you’ll be good to go!