Working from home. Some people love it, others less so. Regardless, you can actually make it fun or more fun depending on your opinion on the matter.
If you love working from home, you probably already think it’s pretty fun. Or enjoyable. But you can still make it even funnier. The same goes for you who are not the biggest fan of working from home. Maybe you need some inspiration to make it more enjoyable.
Here are 8 tips to make your work-from-home experience more fun and enjoyable.
Working from home has never been more popular. For many, it started out being a necessity, and for a lot, it has evolved into something they cannot be without. The reasons for this love of working from home continue to grow and here are some of the most popular ones:
- No commute – This is easily one of the biggest reasons people choose to work from home. Not having to commute saves time and money.
- More flexibility – People who work from home have more control over their own schedule. They can work around their family’s needs and their own needs better than those who work in an office setting.
- Increased productivity – Many people find they are more productive when working from home. This may be because they are less distracted in their own environment. Especially if they work in an open office space normally.
- Family time – Working from home allows people to be with their families more while still having a job. This is a big perk for many. Maybe even the biggest. And most of the benefits lead to this one.
- Cost savings – Working from home can save people money on things like childcare, transportation, and lunch money.
So, as you can see, there are plenty of reasons to love working from home. But you still have to work. It is not your time off, it is your working time that you need to manage. And that actually is key in terms of having more fun while working at home.
Ground rules make working from home more enjoyable and manageable
Working from home definitely has its perks: no commute, more flexibility, and often a better work/life balance. However, working from home can also be very isolating, and it’s easy to get distracted by all of the things that are happening in your own house.
To make the most of your work-from-home days, set some ground rules for yourself. For example, try to stick to a schedule as much as possible, and take regular breaks to move your body and get some fresh air. And most importantly, make sure you’re communicating with your team regularly – whether that’s via chat, video conferencing, or just good ol’ fashioned email.
A good structure around your home-working day is really helpful in terms of you getting the most out of it. And I mean both in terms of being productive but also enjoying yourself. If you can manage to both feel relaxed and effective then you are reaping the benefits of choosing your home as your workplace that day.
Creating a designated workspace makes it more enjoyable
Working from home can be a great way to save on commuting costs and get more work done, but it can also be difficult to stay focused when there are so many distractions. One way to combat this is to create a designated workspace in your home. This can be as simple as setting up a desk in a quiet corner of the house or converting a spare room into an office.
When you have a designated workspace, you can make it feel like your own personal oasis away from the distractions of home. Make sure to stock it with everything you need, including a comfortable chair, good lighting, and your favourite snacks and drinks. That sounds more fun, right?
Not to say that you need your home office to be a lair for potential hibernation stacked with supplies for years. But all you would expect to find at your physical workplace should be available within relatively short distance of your home setup.
Feeling focused, comfortable, and relaxed can make working from home so much more enjoyable. This leads to an increase in your productivity and makes it more fun to work from your own house or appartment.
Get dressed for work even when working at home
When your work from home it’s easy to let your work-from-home wardrobe slide. Suddenly you’re wearing pajamas all day and eating cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Before you know it, you’ve stopped caring about your appearance altogether. Especially if you work from home every single day.
It’s important to get dressed for work even when you’re working from home. Do not underestimate that. Dressing for work can help you stay focused and productive. It also helps you maintain a sense of professionalism and discipline, whether or not anyone else is around to see you.
Some people think that it doesn’t matter what they wear when they’re working from home, but that’s not true. The clothes you wear can affect your mood and how you work. If you dress like you’re going to an office, you’ll be more likely to act like you are. And that actually makes it more fun to work at home. Because it helps you focus and get a sense of accomplishment from the day.
Of course, you can have a day, where you sit in your sweats all day. But make most days similar to your office life and you will feel more productive and enjoy your time at home more.
Taking breaks makes are important
When you work at home, it’s kind of easy to let your work take over your life, so to speak. You might be tempted to work all the time, but that’s not healthy or sustainable. It’s important to take breaks and enjoy your time outside of work.
One of the benefits of working at home is that you have more control over your schedule. You can take breaks whenever you want, as long as you get your work done and show up for online meetings. Breaks are a great way to rejuvenate yourself and come back to your work with fresh eyes.
Make sure you take breaks that are actually helping you with work. Making you more productive and making it more fun. When most people think about taking breaks, they think about time spent away from their work. However, that’s not always the case. There are actually different types of breaks that you can take, and it’s important to make sure that you’re taking the right type of break at the right time.
For example, if you’ve been working on a project for a few hours and feel like you’re starting to lose focus, it might be time for a micro-break. A micro-break is a short break that lasts just a few minutes. During a micro-break, you can take a quick walk around your home or garden, drink some water, or take a few deep breaths.
You can also choose to go all-in with longer breaks. Go for a run for an hour or hit the gym. Take your dog for a walk or start up your console and spend some time having fun. As long as you fulfill your job obligations you can plan your work and breaks as you want to. More on that below.
Make working from home funnier by making time for fun
This is, of course, closely related to taking breaks. But taking breaks can also lead to doing housework which may not be that funny. But having fun while working from home helps you stay productive and get more out of your day.
That’s why it’s important to make time for fun each day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Watch a funny show or movie on Netflix. You can do this while having your lunch or a snack break.
- Play a game with your pets or kids. If your kids are home then spend a little time with them before returning to your home office.
- Take a walk outside and enjoy the fresh air. This is always a good idea.
- Call a friend and catch up on life. You can combine this with loads of activities.
- Exercise. You will get more energy from using energy. And that will make you feel better when doing your job at home.
These ideas will give you more energy for the rest of the working day. It will take your mind off work for a little while and help you get right back in the zone afterward. And you should feel bad about it. Unless you are being paid by the clock and not for the actual tasks you complete then your employer won’t care whether you work eight hours straight or split them throughout the day.
This only makes you more valuable as you stay motivated and perform better.
Remember to reward yourself when you work from home
When you work from home, it can be very tempting to just keep working and working until you’ve finished everything on your to-do list. But if you don’t take some time for yourself, you’re going to end up feeling burnt out and resenting your work. Maybe both from your home and the office.
It’s important to remember to reward yourself for completing tasks and working hard. This could mean taking a break to watch your favorite show, going for a walk, or spending time with friends and family. By rewarding yourself, you’ll be more productive when you do need to work and you won’t feel as though you’re being punished for working.
What I mean is, that you will close your computer by the end of the day and feel good and satisfied. You will be happy that you produced a lot while not being totally burned out afterward. That, itself, is a reward and something that makes it a lot more fun to work from home.
But this is also individual. If you feel better by just powering through the day and getting done with the day’s work, then you should, of course, stick to that.
Stay organized while working from home
Staying organized helps make working from home much more enjoyable. Because you stay productive and you make room for having fun while doing so. Here are a few tips to help you stay on track:
- Make a schedule and stick to it.
- Create a designated workspace with all of the supplies you need.
- Avoid distractions by setting rules for yourself and your family members.
- Take breaks and get some exercise every day.
- Stay organized by using productivity tools like To-Do lists and calendars.
By sticking to your schedule you know when you at your “work home” and when you are actually home. By working from home a lot, the boundaries between home and work can fade. But by knowing at what time you are on and off at work this will get easier.
By having your own office space at your home you can stay focused a lot better. You can enjoy the benefits of working from your house but still be as or even more efficient than at your workplace. This also helps you avoid distractions that you may get from working in your living room.
But remember the breaks. Breaks should not be distractions but pauses that help you continue moving forward and produce more.
And by being organized with your daily To-Dos you will always know what to do, when to do it, and when you are done for the day. That makes a day’s work at your own home far more fun and enjoyable.
Don't be afraid to ask for help when working from home
One of the biggest challenges of working from home, especially if you’re not used to it, can be feeling isolated and not knowing when to take breaks.
If you’re struggling with any of these things, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are plenty of people out there who have been working from home for a while and can give you some great tips. And don’t forget to take breaks! Getting up and moving around every once in a while is really important when you’re working from home.
Working from home definitely has its perks: no commute, more flexible hours, and you can take a break to run errands or take the dog for a walk without having to leave the office. However, there are also some challenges that come with working from home, such as isolation and distractions.
If you’re finding it difficult to enjoy it when working from home, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to your colleagues, and ask how they work around it. Make sure you share tips with each other so you can enjoy all of the perks of working remotely once in a while.
My name is Frederik
I am a passionate marketeer who loves the freedom that comes with working from home whenever I choose to do so.
I love getting nerdy with every single detail about making everything related to my home just a tiny bit better.
That is what motivates me to write about home stuff on this blog.