Guest post by Leigh Marcos
Being a work-from-home developer can seem like a dream for some: working when, where, and for whom you want, with no micromanaging boss peering over your shoulder, and with plenty of time to spend with family or pursuing the other interests in your life.
It’s a phenomenon which is swiftly growing in popularity: according to a 2015 Gallup poll, 37% of Americans have worked from home at some point in their career. But this lifestyle presents challenges to balance out its benefits, not least of which is managing a healthy equilibrium between work and leisure that has is based on productive and functional everyday habits. Here are some crucial measures you should take to make working from home a success for you.
The right clientele
There can be more pros than cons to working from home, but only if you’re savvy about who you work for. There are a lot of clients out there who will drain your resources, and be more trouble than they’re worth in the long term. Make sure to analyze the actual income or resources spent on your clientele, and choose to keep the ones that provide the best return.
Motivation and scheduling
One of the biggest obstacles to productivity when you’re a developer working from home is a lack of routine and structure on a daily basis. Use a scheduling tool and make sure you hold yourself accountable to concrete goals, both short and long term. Try and delineate a separate working space that allows you to focus without interruption and establish a professional mind-set, and create clear separation between work and leisure time.
Intelligent client management
It can be easy to underestimate how much time and effort it takes to keep tabs on all your different projects, colleagues, clients, and finances. Make sure you find a smart approach to coordinating all these aspects with an initiative like ours here at BrainLeaf, leaving you the time to focus on getting your work done and bringing in the dollars.
A holistic lifestyle
One of the best things about working from home is the ability to organize your days, weeks, and months to your specific preferences. It means you can take time to balance the various elements of your life, like family, friends, personal development, professional development, and leisure. Use this flexibility to make the most of the mental health benefits of regular exercise, as well as the power of taking time out to reflect on your achievements and objectives, and looking after your body with healthy, nourishing food.
Leigh Marcos, Freelance Writer
