At first glance, working remotely seems like a dream come true. You can skip the early morning rush, opt for comfy clothes, and your “commute” is merely the distance from your bedroom to your home office. That’s all well and good, but working from home is just an aspect of a job. It could be a big mistake to focus more on the “remote” part than the actual “job” part.

Working remotely can be a big plus for those who have never worked from home before, but it requires balance, dedication, and unwavering focus.

In this article we’re going to discuss some tips for working from home and some of the mistakes people can make when they first begin telecommuting. Knowing what lies ahead and preparing for various scenarios will set you up to succeed from the get-go.

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1. Focusing on the perks

There are numerous perks from working remotely and I’m not going to minimize any of them. For me, who lives in a big and crowded city, there’s nothing better than knowing I don’t have to commute to a physical office, and I can work anywhere I want. I especially love working in my quiet house when no one is here to distract me. But, sometimes, I also enjoy going to a co-working space near the center, which gives me the chance to do networking and meet other people.

But if I were to make the day more about the benefits of working remotely rather than the job itself, I would not focus on what really needs to be done. For me, meeting project deadlines is more important than the ability to work from bed. There are valid, non-work related reasons for working remotely. For example, wanting more flexibility to spend with family. But if your reasons for working at home become more important than the actual job, you’re already setting yourself up for setbacks. It’s important to remember: Job first, perks second.

2. Thinking you can do it all

When working from home, the illusion of endless time can lead you to take on additional responsibilities. You may want to bake for a class party, or schedule workout time in the morning or pause work to run a vacuum or throw a load of laundry in. However, it's essential to understand that you still have to work. So if you’re doing school stuff, working out, or cleaning the house during the times you’re supposed to be working, when will you work? And if you work later at night or earlier in the morning just so you can do those other things, what are you giving up during that time?

So i look at a remote job this way: If I wasn’t working remotely I’d be (at least) 9 to 5 in an office, with maybe my lunch hour as free time. So I treat my daytime hours as business hours and try to avoid taking on too many non-essential extra tasks that can keep me away from my work. Sure, a remote job gives me more flexibility but is it worth it if I have to work until midnight because I decided to bake cupcakes and do laundry during the day?

3. Not setting boundaries and limits

Remote workers tend to work more hours than people who commute to a traditional office. It is very easy to start earlier in the day and work later in the evening, or spend a weekend on the laptop, simply because you are at home. Many people do not understand how important it is to make a habit to leave work at a specific time every day.

If you’re someone who works longer days simply because you’re at home, the people who you work for might expect you to be at your desk at all hours of the day and night. If you’re not careful you may find yourself receiving a zoom call at 10:00 p.m.. This isn’t fair to you or your family.

Stick to a schedule and set some sort of business hours. If your teammates or clients know you knock off work at 6:00 p.m., they won’t bother you after that time. Moreover, if you stop working at the same time every day it will become a habit and you’ll learn how to do what needs to be done within that time. Finally, when you set firm business hours, clients and managers are less likely to take advantage of your time.

4. Avoiding Video Calls

I know that there are times when the thought of putting on a cheerful face or tidying up the living room for a Zoom meeting call can be less than appealing, and you may be tempted to leave your camera off.

While using just a microphone might seem like a convenient alternative, unfortunately, it can make your remote work experience more challenging. Human interaction is rich with non-verbal cues, and genuine connection thrives on the ability to see and interpret these cues both ways.

If you want your colleagues to be attentive to your message and remain engaged, it's essential to turn on your camera. The simple act of seeing each other's faces can significantly enhance the quality of connection, communication, and mutual understanding in a remote job.

5. Doing too many fun things during working time

A morning coffee date? Lunch with the girls? Mani-pedis? Morning golf? Sure, many remote workers schedule some fun stuff during the day because they have that flexibility. However, it goes back to point #1. If you’re scheduling fun stuff during the day, when will you be doing your work? There’s nothing wrong with doing things if your job allows it, just be careful it doesn’t take you away from your paycheck. Making up for time spent away is fine once in a while, but if you’re scrambling every night to make up work – is it really worth it? The answer can still be Yes, but you need to be aware of that.

It’s all about balance

Working remotely is all about balance and time management. If you prioritize, follow a schedule, and don’t take on too many non-essential extra activities, you will have a successful career. If you find you are missing out on family relaxation or other activities because you didn’t budget your time properly, the work from home experience probably won’t work out as well as anticipated. Follow our tips from working from home, avoid these 5 big mistakes and enjoy your new remote work.