People who work from home have a lot of freedom and flexibility in their scheduling. That is often one of the most appealing factors. There isn’t a boss reminding you to work faster, but you still want to perform at a high level of productivity for the companies you work for and your paycheck. The challenges that come with work-at-home jobs are the many distractions, such as the TV, pets, kids and even the doorbell. Effective goal-setting can mean the difference between a productive or a wasted workday.
Set Realistic Goals
Anyone can say they will do an impressive amount of work, but it isn’t that simple. Aiming high is a good thing. It challenges you to get better at your job. And granted, it can be disheartening when you don’t reach your goals. So, start small by saying you want to complete a certain realistic number of work-related tasks each day. Do that for a week, and then, increase the goal. Every goal accomplished provides a boost of motivation to continue the positive streak.
Prepare for Interruptions
You can set up your home office in a quiet place with minimal distractions. Interruptions will still happen, though. Instead of getting off-track when they occur just quickly handle the situation. Then, refocus on your tasks and daily goals. It is tempting to let the distraction turn into a break and decreased productivity because of time wasted.
Be Your Own Boss
In a traditional work environment, there is usually a supervisor or manager checking in throughout the day. They might ask you to pick up your pace, double-check for mistakes, rework something or check your progress. Imagine you were in the boss’s position. Then, check your work from that standpoint. Using this method also can be a way to identify new goals in areas that you could improve.
There are always areas for improvement in any occupation whether you work from home or in a traditional setting. You can actively work toward personal growth with goal-setting. Prepare for interruptions during working hours and don’t let them drag you off course. Mentally switch roles to a supervisorial one and evaluate yourself. Using this method can open your mind to more goal-setting opportunities. Reaching personal work goals can lead to increased productivity, a possibility for promotions and bigger paychecks.
