A Beginner’s Guide to Working From Home in 2021 and Beyond

The pandemic has drastically changed our lives since 2020, for better or for worse. Despite the challenges of the previous years, humans have once again prevailed and it’s pretty apparent that we’ll get to defeat this new foe sooner or later. But while the world is scrambling to find a cure or effective vaccine against the virus, life goes on for the majority of people on Earth. One key change that was indirectly brought about by the pandemic is the way we work. Instead of staying 9 hours or more in the office, most professionals are forced to do their jobs at home, whether we like to or not, and it’s becoming more evident that this kind of setup is here to stay.

So without further ado, let me get you all geared up to work from home this 2021 and beyond.

Set expectations with your employer/ clients

There are significant changes when it comes to working from home and working in the office. Before you agree to start working remotely, you need to come up with a separate deal with your employer on how the work will be conducted. Discuss possible compensation changes since the company will definitely save more money from opening if you won’t go to work in the office. You should be on the same page before committing to any workload to protect yourself from possible abuse and burnout.

In the same way, if you’re a beginner when it comes to freelance work, remember to never accept commissions or job orders without a solid contract.

Invest in Essentials

Working from home doesn’t mean you’d stay up in your PJs all day while working in bed. Although it’s true that you can do this on some days, but on most days, it would be better if you could put in the extra work and budget to invest in essential Work From Home Items. You see, it’s easy to slack off or be lazy when working remotely or at home because nobody’s breathing down your neck. So to help you get disciplined, you need to set the stage for success. This means buying a nice setup for you to work peacefully and effectively.

Get your health in check

Many people have become even more sedentary now that we’re all staying in our homes most of the time. So you’ve got to stay in shape, especially since a coronavirus is still threatening our lives. It is imperative that we get tested regularly, eat healthy food (not takeout) and, of course, exercise at least 3 times a week.

Get the best deals for your necessities

Now that you’re much more independent with how you’re doing business, you must employ what your bosses have done for the company to make sure that costs are minimized to manageable levels. This means making sure that you’re getting the best value for your money in terms of the things you buy. For example, if you’re living in Houston or basically anywhere in Texas, you can search for “Texas energy comparison” to figure out if your power provider is overcharging you or not. The same goes for other utilities and software subscriptions, too.

Manage your finances

Working from home may sound like a dream, which means it’s easy to fall into the trap of online shopping. It’s convenient, hassle-free, but also very expensive if you total how much you’re spending every month! To avoid buyer’s remorse or guilt, you should maintain a budget or at least put a cap on discretionary spending. Save up for the future as well, since we don’t know what’s going to happen in the future.

Maintain a work-life balance

Another consideration that you should be wary about is keeping a work-life balance. Remote work blurs the lines of home and office, which means you could easily be working for 12 to 15 hours on end without you even realizing it. Remember, if you don’t have overtime pay, stop working overtime! You must have a life outside work. Reconnect with your friends. Spend time with your loved ones. Do something you love.

Working from home, even after the pandemic, is always a viable option. But it’s only a good thing to those who have enough self-control to be more responsible for his or her time to make the most out of the situation.