Make your at-home job rock!

Richa is pregnant with her first child and has started working from home. "This allows me to take care of myself better, but I'm struggling to get my work done. There are so many distractions," she says.

Freelance journalist Sakshi Singh says you can work just as efficiently from home as you would at office. "Planning is the secret," she says. Here are some tried and tested tips that she has found work like a charm...

The environment you are working in is very important. Maintain a separate workspace at home. You don't have to have a whole room to yourself, a small work area will do. Once you find a corner for your work, don't use it for anything else.

See that this setting is away from the TV or any other distractions. Your work area should be well-lit and quiet.

Everything you need

Make sure you have all the equipment you require to work. A proper desk and computer come first.

Get a good internet connection to complement your super-efficient computer. If you need a phone for your work, have one handy. Make sure you have a good chair that supports your back too.

Make space for any files or papers you need in the course of the day.

Chores can wait!

Do not do any housework between your work. Finish these before you start or schedule them for later. Keep an hour or two of the day for work around the house.

Your focus has to be on your work if you want to be able to give it your 100 per cent.

It's business

Treat your work day the same way you would at office. Plan your day in advance and set yourself deadlines.

Delegate time for each task and don't take too many breaks just because you are at home. Scheduling your breaks is as important as planning your work. If you don't waste time and finish work early, you will have more time to yourself.

Distract me not

You may need your mobile phone for work, but you can turn the answering machine on for your landline.

Avoid attending to personal calls while you are working. You can call friends and family back once you are done with work. Other distractions like the television and music should be also be off.

Act the part

When working from home, it's naturally to want to wake up a little later than usual, but don't.

Regardless of where you are working it is important that you respect your job. So wake up early, freshen up and get out of your pyjamas before you turn on your computer. You will feel less lazy and more alert to do your job.

Remember, work will be just as challenging at home. But once you have your plan in place, you can tackle anything.

Source:http://www.idiva.com