Tips on How to Work From Home

Working from home with a method: space, rhythm, and communication with the team

These tips on how to work from home matter. It's obvious how crucial it is to truly understand how to work remotely and from home. The coronavirus accelerated a shift toward a world far more prepared for remote work. Here at Polimake we've been working remotely and in a decentralized way for a long time, and these are our tips based on real experience.

The advantages are many, and in fact we've talked about them here. Remote and home-based work also means substantial savings for your business. To dive deeper into remote work strategies, check out our complete guide to remote work and how to make the most of the benefits of using the cloud to improve productivity.

We advocate for remote and home-based work because of what we call "time modularity." The vast majority of tasks can be done within a certain margin, always keeping the result and its required deadline in mind. This means that if you have kids, want to work out, or are someone who performs better at night or during the day, you can adapt your schedule in a modular way. This flexibility improves communication and should be built into your marketing plan to maintain the efficiency of a distributed team.

Tips for working from home

Comfort in your space

Get comfortable. Ideally, you want to be as comfortable as possible. Investing in a quality chair is essential, one where we can sit for long stretches of time.

Don't forget to move and stretch a little while you check your phone or handle other quick tasks. At home we have the option to switch spaces and be more comfortable. This means, for example, we can move from the home office to the bedroom to working on the couch.

Clothing tips when working from home

Being at home also means we can dress pretty much however we want. Plenty of people like to be as comfortable as possible, even working in pajamas. Another option is to have casual clothes suited to your needs and to change whenever you have to take a meeting.

This depends a lot on the business and its culture, but the important thing is that it's comfortable and doesn't hurt your productivity.

Breaks and changes of scenery

There are indications suggesting that humans (much like sleep cycles) experience a dip in productivity every hour and a half or two hours.

Adding these breaks that help maintain steady productivity is a good idea. Ideally, stretch your legs, walk a bit, and even do some exercise every couple of hours. This doesn't mean starting to play games and doing things unrelated to work. Instead, you can take advantage of a different setting to clear your head and handle tasks of a different kind. If you have a garden, you can step out for a drink and process a few emails and send some messages.

The same goes for answering calls in a different setting. But keep in mind the difference between a break, a change of scenery, and the focus and purpose of getting the work done.

Isolation and focus

It's important to be productive while we're at home. There are many distractions, from going to the kitchen for a snack to family members or neighbors. There are two key things that keep us from getting distracted more than necessary.

Close the door

One of them can be as simple as closing the door. This visual isolation is "felt" in the body and helps you signal that you're doing something inside, while something different may be happening outside.

It's essential when you have to make calls, since anyone in the home will understand that you're busy and will be slower to come in, and with less noise. Psychologically, having the door closed helps a lot.

Use music and headphones

Another option is to buy a pair of "noise-cancelling" headphones. What these headphones do is eliminate any sound from outside, making it feel like you're immersed in a kind of "bubble."

Commonly used on planes to avoid disturbances and shut out constant noise, they're highly recommended here too. One of the best tips for how to work from home.

You can put on some background music that helps you stay productive. Some people prefer calm music, even classical. Others prefer a faster tempo, closer to electronic music.

Get really well organized

There are many productivity tips out there. Some people prefer to make a to-do list on the computer, while others use pen and paper and enjoy the feeling of crossing things off.

The system only exists to get the tasks done. It doesn't matter which one you use, as long as it aligns with the business. To improve your organization, consider developing your essential skills in the digital age and applying methodologies like the STAR method to better structure your projects.

Try to complete them as soon as you can, within your capacity.

Quick checklist for working from home

• You have a comfortable workspace with a suitable chair You have a comfortable workspace with a suitable chair
• You define schedules and work blocks, respecting breaks every 1.5–2 hours You define schedules and work blocks, respecting breaks every 1.5–2 hours
• You control distractions (closed door, notifications, phone, etc.) You control distractions (closed door, notifications, phone, etc.)
• You use headphones or music that help you concentrate when you need to You use headphones or music that help you concentrate when you need to
• You have a simple system to organize daily tasks and priorities You have a simple system to organize daily tasks and priorities

Frequently asked questions about working from home

How many hours in a row is it advisable to work without a break?

It depends on the person and the type of task, but many studies suggest that blocks of 60–90 minutes with short pauses tend to be effective for maintaining concentration.

Is it a good idea to always work from the couch or bed?

It can be comfortable now and then, but in the long run it usually affects your posture and the mental separation between work and rest. It's advisable to have a dedicated workspace, even a small one.

How do I avoid mixing personal life and work when working remotely?

Setting clear schedule boundaries, having a defined workspace, and "closing the office" at the end of the day (tidying up, shutting down your equipment, changing clothes) helps a lot to separate the two.

What tools can help me be more productive at home?

To-do lists, calendars, project management apps, and simple systems like the Pomodoro method can make a big difference. The important thing is to choose a tool that fits the way you work and is sustainable.

Work from home, but always with balance

Applying these tips for working from home will help you improve both your productivity and your daily well-being. It's not just about doing more, but about working better and with less friction in your home environment.

Try different adjustments to your space, schedule, and habits until you find the combination that best fits you and your business. Remote work, when set up well, can become a competitive advantage and a more flexible way to organize your professional life.