What kind of background or industry do you think is best suited for an individual that is excellent at managing projects from birth to completion? Trick question, because if you’re this type of professional, every industry will accept you with open arms. In fact, some industries are desperate to refill their ranks with brilliant project managers. This is not to be confused with a manager. A manager will be in charge of the daily running of a section and or department. However, a project manager is a more senior role higher than the standard manager role. The project manager is a part of the administration level, thus they are sandwiched between the department and it’s most senior ranks and the C-suite. If you’re in this line of work, you may want to know where your expertise takes you in 2020.
Why Your Home Office Is Failing
Working from home has become a popular trend for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and even employees. As a result, your home office is at the heart of your everyday activities. Not only does it provide your home with a professional function, but it also serves as a centre of inspiration, creativity, and productivity. At least, that’s what the theory says. In practice, however, many home-based professionals struggle to make it work. The home office, which they hope would be a supportive ally in their quest to success, fails to deliver the expected results.
Does it mean it’s time for you to ditch the home office and find a new solution? Not so quickly! Working remotely can be tricky. Despite your best efforts, you might still be making costly mistakes that affect your productivity day after day. Indeed, the question is not how your home office is failing, but how you are failing to make the most of it.
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You don’t plan your day like a real office day
Working from home gives you more flexibility to manage your time. However, it’s essential to structure your day in the same way you would if you were working in an office. Indeed, just because you’re working from a different place doesn’t mean that it should dramatically upset your traditional work routine. As a rule of thumb, you’ll find that maintaining your structure and habits can help you to move quickly through tasks. Indeed, a change of environment can be disorienting – and even though some claim that changing their workplace regularly contributes to enhancing their creativity, it’s not always the case. Therefore, maintaining your usual approach to tasks planning can ensure a smooth change.
Your indoor air is stuffy
Here’s an interesting question: How often do you renew your indoor air? It might sound strange at first, but offices have an indoor ventilation system that ensures the air you breathe is renewed continuously. Not many households, however, have a similar system in place. Instead, most people rely on manual ventilation, such as opening the windows. But, if you can’t focus with your windows open, you might want to have a look at the www.ModernFanOutlet.com site to consider the addition of a ceiling fan. Indeed, a fan will provide air movement, which ensures your brain receives plenty of oxygen. Why does it matter? Oxygen is a natural brain performance boost! Your thought process gets slow in a stuffy room.
You don’t account for breaks
When you work from home, you might feel guilty at the idea of scheduling breaks. Ultimately, you might worry that taking breaks becomes an act of laziness. But you’d be wrong to think so. According to www.SocialTriggers.com, the prefrontal cortex is the thinking part of your brain. It is responsible for your focus and logical thinking. The prefrontal cortex needs regular breaks to let the brain recharge its energy and make further cognitive connections. In short, taking a break makes you a better thinker. You can’t go on forever without allowing yourself to leave the desk regularly and refresh your mind. More importantly, refusing to take breaks affects your productivity and concentration.
You work in the middle of the living room
What you call your home office is, in fact, the corner of the sofa. You work in your lounge, with a laptop balancing on the armrest. Unfortunately, you are surrounded by distractions that slow down your work. Your favourite show on TV is only one click away – and, let’s be honest, the remote controller is so easy to use that you might not even notice you’re using it. Additionally, if you’re staying at home with your children or partner, they may be more likely to interrupt you as you appear to be available. How can you be working if you’re sitting on a couch or at the kitchen table? Instead, a home office offers a dedicated desk that serves no other functions that supporting your day-to-day work.
You feel isolated
Sure, working from home can be beneficial is you don’t like to be interrupted or distracted by coworkers. However, it’s also an isolating experience that cuts you off from social contact. At home, you can’t build any meaningful human interactions. If you’re a social butterfly, you may miss the constant buzz of the office conversations and the chance to grab lunch with colleagues. Feeling isolated, however, can rapidly escalate into a mild form of depression, which can not only put your performance at risk but your mental health too.
The problem with the home office is your approach. Indeed, you need to create a strategic work routine that suits you when you’re at home. But at the same time, you also need to make room for breaks and social interactions throughout the day.
Creating An Ideal Working Space From Home
Working from home gives you a lot of freedom, but at the same time, creating an ideal workspace at home where you can work well can sometimes be difficult. So if you are wanting some advice on creating this space for yourself, here are some tips.
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Keep It To The One Room
The worst thing that you can do is to use your laptop to work in various areas of the house. That then becomes an issue because you’ll have these areas that feel like a workspace and a living space. It’s important not to confuse the two together. Keep it the one room and have a separate office space or use something like your dining room where you can sit at a table and get the proper support for your body. To stop yourself from going to a different room, think about investing in a desktop computer which you could move, but would be a pain. Keep any electronics like your TV that may be a distraction off and if it helps, close your office door to avoid any temptations to procrastinate in another room.
Have The Right Equipment
Talking of the proper support, with any business, you’ll have the option to add things to your workplace to make it more comfortable. Things like a monitor riser for example or an adjustable footrest work really well to help you keep your posture at the right position and that avoids any health problems further down the line. If you’re going to be doing a lot of work on your computer, you may find that after a certain period of time you are maybe getting headaches and that your eyes become tired and sore. This is thanks to blue light, and in order to fix this, it may be wise to get some blue light blocking glasses so that you can continue to work long hours without impacting your eye health too much.
Let In The Light
Light can do a lot for our mood, and when it comes to working all day indoors, you need to make sure the lighting is perfect. Natural light is the best kind of lighting, so if you find the sun catches your office or working space, move your position so that you are sitting near this pool of light. Immediately you feel a change in the way you feel, and that can be really beneficial for your productivity levels. Also, have a think about the lighting that you have in the form of table or standing lights. Ideally, you want them to be warm instead of that harsh clinical white. You can also get lighting that can mimic natural light too, so this can be used to help you wake up on time in the mornings.
Think About The Temperature
A lot of things can affect your productivity, and one of them is the temperature of the room. If it’s too hot or too cold, then your productivity levels will dip, and that’s never any good for your work. As you’re working from home, you don’t get that luxury of being able to have free heating or air-conditioning. But you can still provide yourself with a nice atmosphere where the temperature is just right to help you continue working. When it comes to heating, it’s good to turn it off and on intermittently. You want it to take the chill off the room, and so you can get it to turn on around thirty minutes until you are due to get up. Switch it off and then back on around lunchtime and then maybe back on in the mid-afternoon.
When it hits the warmer periods of the year, keeping the room cool is very important. You don’t want to be sweating while you’re working, let’s be honest. So invest in a good cooling fan that you can keep on in the background while working, and this constant stream of cool air will definitely help. To keep your home maintenance in a fit state, it might be worth looking at a heating and air service, just to make sure that everything is in working order. You’ll be working from home so it will be a nightmare if your heating suddenly stops in the middle of winter.
Block Out Distraction
Even in a traditional workplace, there are distractions. Whether it’s talking to a colleague about what you got up to at the weekend or browsing on the internet to look for some new clothes for the wardrobe. These distractions can stop you from getting important work done. So as a rule, you might want to block certain websites from home which you can do via your internet settings. This temporary freeze can stop your procrastinating side from getting onto a site that’s going to waste your time. Depending on how you like to work, music or the TV on in the background may help you, but you don’t want anything that is going to draw your attention and leaves you watching or listening without working for a good ten minutes. Having a break is important, but not when it becomes half an hour instead of ten minutes. Make a proactive effort to block out your distractions so that you can make as much out of your working day as possible.
Creating an ideal space for working from home can be tough but also once it’s been perfected, it can be a great freedom to be able to pick your own hours and to be your own boss with how you work. Remember to keep it to the one room so that you separate your workspace from your living space. Ensure you have the right equipment to make it comfortable for you. Adjust lighting and room temperatures for the perfect atmosphere to work. And finally, block out the distractions so that you can make the most of your day. Being in charge of yourself can be tough, but if the working space is right, you’ll find your groove and hopefully will gain a lot of success from the comfort of your own home.
3 Important Reasons Why the Philippines Is a Hotspot for Freelancers
The Internet hasn’t just changed how we live our lives. It’s also changed how we work and how we do business. Indeed, the rise and development of apps and web-based services have built up a gig economy for a lot of jobs—both big and small. And this definitely goes beyond signing up for Uber so you can earn extra cash on the side by ferrying people.
These days, tasks that used to be handled by companies in-house can now be easily outsourced elsewhere in the world for a fraction of the cost. Yet worldwide, one country in Southeast Asia continues to get a lot of attention from enterprises that are looking for some freelancing muscle: the Philippines.
Business processes usually outsourced to this country include simple ones like data encoding and customer service. Meanwhile, higher tier freelancer positions have included graphic designer, virtual executive assistant, social media manager, and web developer jobs, as well as a number of others.
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There are many reasons why the Philippines has become a hotspot for freelancers. What follows are just three of the most important ones.
English Proficiency Is High Among the Region
Simply put, Filipinos have a high proficiency in English. As a matter of fact, the country is second only to Singapore in the English Proficiency Index among Asian countries. This presents a great opportunity for multinational companies who are looking to cut down on costs while still keeping the quality of work at a high level. This goes beyond merely hiring freelance writers. Other tasks like management, programming, and even accounting can be outsourced to willing freelancers who can communicate well and think on their feet.
And although there are other English-proficient countries in Southeast Asia, there’s one other factor that makes the Philippines a better choice for outsourcing, which leads us to our next reason.
The Cost of Living Is Relatively Low
When it comes down to it, all businesses want to minimize operating costs. Hiring freelancers from the Philippines helps achieve this thanks to two interrelated factors. In the country, both the minimum wage and the cost of living are quite low and competitive, with the average monthly family income in Metro Manila at the equivalent of around USD 760 in 2015. This is compared to around USD 4,800 in the United States.
Due to the comparative difference in living costs, the possible savings from outsourcing to the Philippines is very high. This is especially true when the low cost of manpower is combined with the following reason.
The Country Has a Huge Pool of Talent
Compounding the reduced cost of enlisting Philippines-based freelancers is the country’s big talent pool. And this goes beyond the country having a sizeable population of 100 million people to pick and choose from. The country also has a highly skilled and qualified workforce, with computer technology degrees being popular among young Filipinos. This alone makes the Philippines a great choice for seeking freelance programmers and web developers with good communication skills.
The amount of talent at your disposal can determine whether your company is on the trajectory towards success or not. Yet again, this is another area where the Philippines does not disappoint. And when this factor is combined with low wages, the country becomes a buyer’s market for businesses looking for freelancers to beef up their team.
A Final Word: The Talent Is Easy to Access
In addition to all of the previously stated factors, Philippine entrepreneurs have also long been aware of all of these benefits. Indeed, there have been numerous companies and organizations, such as freelance websites like Smalljobs.ph, who have helped bridge gaps between companies and freelancers. This is yet another factor that further helps out the local freelancer market in the Philippines, turning it into a must-tap resource—for all types of businesses.
How To Work From Home And Manage Your Personal Life
The internet, which is now a necessity for a lot of individuals and businesses, has changed the way many people earn their income. Many popular businesses allow their workers to commute part or full-time. Working from home is becoming very popular. However, the best way to get the most out of working remotely is by being dedicated to your position. In fact, the Bureau Of Labor Statistics reported that working from home has increased by 35 percent in the last year. Many people want to know if working from home is a good idea. The answer is yes.
How To Start Working From Home
Many people looking for a work from home opportunity have ran into scams or high fees for work from home leads. However, there are many legitimate work-from-home opportunities. Sites like westernshamrock.com offer great options to fund your home-based work goals. You can start your own business with resources that will help you get the most out of each workday. You can get all of the office equipment you need to meet the demands of any online job position. Choose from software, furniture, equipment and more that will successfully allow you to work from home.
How To Successfully Manage Working From Home
You can manage your personal life and work from home. To work from home, you must be able to motivate yourself. Besides, you’re the boss which comes with a few drawbacks. For example, you may work part-time, but are you willing to put in the hours? You’re working from home, but you have to commit yourself to your work-from-home position. Decide what time you’re going to work and show up on time like you would for your land-based employer. Your diligence will determine how much you earn.
It’s very important to adjust to your new work position. You should always get dressed for work and report to your home office. Your home office should not be cluttered and be a place where you can make the most of each workday. Create a home office that will have everything you need centralized in a convenient area. For example, you should have high-speed internet, office phone (never your personal device), and a highly operational PC available in your home office. More importantly, avoid distractions that can come with working from home.
How To Avoid Work From Home Distractions
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– turn off/silence your personal device
– let others know your schedule
– avoid watching television
– ask not to be disturbed a certain time
Distractions are the easiest way to lose focus while working from home. If you have small children, ask to not be disturbed unless it’s an emergency. Give them an opportunity to be near your office, but not in your workspace. Plus, during your self-directed breaks, give your child an opportunity to eat lunch with you or designate time for your child to take a nap.
How To Find A Legitimate Work From Home Position
Finding a work from home position is not as hard as people think. You have the opportunity to choose from many remote working positions from your current employer. Ask your current company if they have a commute work opportunity available. Some employers have part-time work from home positions. However, your job may be glad to allow you to work from home to save money. Plus, there are many job positions that are also available online. You can search from actual positions that fit your job qualifications from many work-from-home listings.
Working from is a disciplined career position. You have to motivate yourself each day. In fact, some work-from-home positions allow you to create your own schedule. However, a few positions will give you set hours like a land-based position. If you start your own online business, you can end up working from home to save money. Working from home provides convenience for thousands of workers, but it’s not an opportunity to skimp through your work responsibilities. More importantly, you should be satisfied with your job position. Many work-from-home positions have allowed employees to gain much longer work experience.
How To Be More Productive When Working From Home
When you finally take the plunge and decide to start working from home, it can be difficult to adjust. Working from home has many benefits but finding the motivation to be productive can be hard and many people struggle to adapt to their new routine. This is why we have put together some tips on how you can be more productive when you are working from home. Keep reading this article if you’d like to find out more.
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Get Dressed
You might want to take advantage of the fact that you don’t need to wear smart business attire when you are working from home, but this is often a mistake that people make. Of course, you don’t need to get dressed up to work from your spare room, but you should make sure to get out of your pyjamas. This will help you to be more productive and you will get more work done.
Create A Home Office
If your current working from home set up involves you working from your bed or your dining room table, you should think about designing your own home office. This will help to recreate the office atmosphere in your home, but you can design it to match your own personality. Think about converting your spare room or even investing in an outdoor steel building. If you don’t have the space inside, a steel building can be the perfect office solution and will make you feel like you aren’t just working from home. If this is something you want to look into, you can view the options available at armstrongsteel.com who are one of America’s leading providers of steel buildings.
Set Hours
Do you often find that you do some work and then get distracted by the TV or your kids? It might be time to set yourself some working hours for when you are working from home. This might be difficult, especially if you are working from home because you need a flexible schedule, but you should be able to make something work. The stricter that you are on yourself, the more productive you’ll be.
Take Breaks
When you work in an office, you get a lunch break and maybe even 10 minutes or so to chat with others. These breaks give you time to clear your head so that you are ready to return to work when your break is over. You might find that if you are working from home you are not giving yourself the necessary breaks and so your work is not the best it can be. Make sure to give yourself some breaks and you will be a lot more productive when you return to work.
Take Breaks
When you work in an office, you get a lunch break and maybe even 10 minutes or so to chat with others. These breaks give you time to clear your head so that you are ready to return to work when your break is over. You might find that if you are working from home you are not giving yourself the necessary breaks and so your work is not the best it can be. Make sure to give yourself some breaks and you will be a lot more productive when you return to work.
Get Rid Of Distractions
Our final tip for those who want to be more productive when working from home is to make sure that you get rid of any distractions. If you need to use your phone for work then you cannot avoid this but make sure to remove things like TVs, books and anything else that might distract you. This is your time to work and the more distracted you get, the longer it will take you to get it done.
Feeling Ill? Here’s How You Can Survive At Work
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Feeling slightly under the weather is never good and it always seems to hit on the most inconvenient day. There’s nothing quite as frustrating as falling ill on a weekday when you need to go to work!
For some of us, we have to soldier on regardless of how bad we are feeling. This is often the case for business owners who can’t waste time with a sick day or those of us who are self-employed and can’t afford a day not working.
Not feeling too great but need to head out to the office? Don’t worry; just read on for some great tips that will help you survive at work while feeling under the weather.
Know When You Shouldn’t Go In
Of course, there will be some instances when you shouldn’t go into work no matter how busy you are or how much you need the paycheck. For instance, if you are suffering from an infectious health condition, you should stay at home so that you don’t pass it onto anyone else. If you feel slightly faint and weak, it’s best to stay at home as you might end up passing out and injuring yourself in the office. According to the website of Barros McNamara, you won’t be able to complain for an injury or accident at work that was caused this way, as you would be the one at fault and not your employer. So, if you think that your illness might put you or someone else at work in danger, it’s always necessary to stay at home until you are starting to recover.
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Drink Something Caffeinated
Most of the time, you will feel worse in the morning as soon as you wake up. That’s just because your body will feel groggy until it has woken up properly. One way you can give it a little boost and help it wake up quicker is to drink something caffeinated, such as a strong cup of coffee. It’s also important to drink plenty of water throughout the day as well so that you stay hydrated. When you are ill, your body needs plenty of liquids to stay hydrated so that it can do its best in fighting off the germs that are causing the illness. Not only that, though, but keeping your liquid levels high will help you feel a lot more awake throughout the day too.
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Take The Necessary Medication
There will no doubt be some medication available for you to take, and it will really help you if you do. There’s no point going to your doctor if you have a cold as you can just get some over-the-counter cold and flu medication. Most of the time, this comes as powder in sachets that you can dissolve in warm water and drink. You can take paracetamol or aspirin instead if you prefer. All of these types of medication will help ease the symptoms of a cold. Once you start to feel the symptoms ease up, you will be able to concentrate on your work a lot better and will feel slightly more human again. If you don’t fancy relying on so many medicines, you might want to search for some natural remedies. For instance, drinking hot water with honey and lemon in can help to reduce the symptoms of a cold.
Cancel Appointments Unless They Are Absolutely Necessary
Got a busy day ahead? If you aren’t feeling 100% then it’s worth trying to make it a little less busy if at all possible. You won’t be quite as energetic as you usually would be while you are ill, so it’s worth cancelling all your appointments and meetings that aren’t super urgent. I’m sure that everyone who you have arranged to meet with will understand if you aren’t feeling too well. After all, we’ve all been there before! So, try to clear your diary so that you can try to have an easy day in the office. You can always find the next convenient time and date for your meetings using scheduling apps such as the ones on this list.
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Don’t Complain
We all have little bugbears that really rub us up the wrong way at work. For most of us, coworkers who constantly complain is one of the main ones! Unfortunately, when we are ill, one of the things that we do is complain about it. But before you do start to moan about being ill at work, you should consider how your colleagues will feel about it. You might really start to get on their nerves! So, try and keep your complaining down to a minimum, and that way you might find that you get a lot more sympathy from them.
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Go Outside Whenever Possible
Being stuck in a stuffy office all day isn’t going to do your health any good, even when you are fit and healthy. Now that you are feeling unwell, staying inside will be doing you no favors at all. So, you should try and leave the office for a quick walk as much as possible. All of that fresh air will do you the world of good. It’s also important to go outside for your lunch, even if that means just walking over to the nearest bakery to pick up a sandwich. The walk will wake you up and certainly improve your mood!
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Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Once you are able to leave work, you should think about going home and straight to bed. Your body will need lots of rest so that it can recuperate and get ready for the next day ahead. You should find that it’s easy to get a good night’s rest while you are slightly ill, because your body will need as much deep sleep as it can get. By the time you wake up in the morning, you’ll, hopefully, be fighting fit again and ready to get back to work with a lot more energy!
Surviving at work isn’t too hard – you just need all these tips to get through the day!