Wandergirl Speaks

It’s been almost a month already since I started working from home. After 6 long years of my life in the “real world” I decided to call it quits and looked for a home-based job, dismissing all facts and possibilities how the decision is going to affect me in the long run. And not very long, as if some good luck was on my side, I got hired by an employer for a 40-week project in Odesk with a rate that was higher than my profile bid. The job was content writing for various blogs.

Of course, aside from writing and research skills, this job also requires a quiet place to get me to write, much more finish a 500-word article. And I must admit, I was quite unprepared for the latter necessity. The question is: how do you work when your home is in chaos?

Because I couldn’t afford the extravagant way of buying or renting an apartment (at least for now), I thought about a few things that will keep me sane while I make sure I get the job done and get paid for it…with no delays:

1. Schedule the time of work. And go for those times when everyone is either sleeping or out of the house. In my case, it’s usually in the afternoon and in the evening when I can have the quiet space all to myself.

2. Select a place in your home that’s not frequented by everyone most of the time. Usually your bedroom is the best place to get your work done, well and quick, because of less distraction from the rest of your household members.

3. Invest on a good table and chair for your home office room. The worst you can do while working is slouching and hurting your back and neck. The advantage of working from home should far exceed that of an office building set up, at least when it comes to your health.

4. Stay away from kids when working. Oh dear, it’s just so hard to concentrate when you have the kids playing and running around while you think of the best word to describe what you’re writing about.

5. Never ever decide on having your office room near your living room. Because it’s just so easy to get distracted by the thought of watching your newly-bought DVD movie or getting a glimpse of your favorite TV show. And this always makes you end up delaying your work.