Tips on How to be Productive while Working at Home

Most of my friends are now into online jobs. As an introvert, I'd say that working at home suits me. :) Many people think working at home is very convenient. Yes, you're right! But hey, we also face some challenges that you may or may not feel in the office.

One of the most challenging parts of working at home is time management and discipline. There are times when you feel lazy and bored that you just want to go back to your bed or watch in your television or doing something that's not related to work. Yes, most of the time I thought about that because you don't have your boss to look what you're actually doing. There are more temptations and interruptions at home than in the office.

So I made sure to discipline myself! Here are 6 tips that I'd like to share with you on how I make myself productive while working at home:

1) Make a daily plan to keep you on track and and stick to it. Plan ahead what are the things you need and will do for the entire day. Sometimes, we fall into working all the time and fail to get dressed up for the day. Working in your pajamas is not a good idea. Fix your work hours, plan your breaks and put them into your daily schedule.

2) Decide which part of the house will be your office and then organize  a professional-looking workspace. Make sure you're comfortable and away from any distraction.

3) For someone who are not living alone (like me), let your family and friends know about your work. Discuss with them about the changes in your lifestyle, the importance of your work and inform them about your working hours. Working at home does not mean that you are always available.

4) Manage your time and know your prioritize. You can find a lot of online tools to help you be more organized. This will help you see your progress.

5) Don’t engage in any unnecessary and distracting activities. Stay committed to work first and nothing else until you are done. It is easy to get distracted and lose focus on the tasks on hand. Act like your own boss and always remind yourself to stray from the responsibilities of your job. Remember, it’s all up to you to get the job done!

6) Its very important to keep your boss updated. Let them know ahead of time if you have some emergencies or something else, be honest! Make them aware that you are working and they will see if you’re being productive or not.

The Downside of Working at Home

For almost two years, I've been working at home doing online job. Most people think that it is very convenient. Well yeah but sometimes its not.

Here are some problems that I myself is facing in this type of job:

• Boredom. Working at home means working alone. No work mates you can literally talk too. You'll be spending your day inside your house or room doing the same thing every day. For those who are not homebodies, obviously you'll get bored easily.
• Laziness. If you're working in an office, its a must for you to wake up early so you'll not go cramming on your way to your workplace. But if you're working at home, your home is your workplace and you won't be having the need to wake up early. You can start your job in your pajamas, no one will complain because no one will see unless if you'll be doing video call with your client. You don't want them to see your grumpy face.

Disadvantages of  having an online job

• No Benefits
• No Company Outings
• No Year-End Parties

After all this problems and disadvantages of working from home and having an online job, I love and enjoyed it. I was honored and lucky, at the same time, to have a very understanding, kind and perfectionist boss. Aside from helping me make my own living, she helped me learn more and grow. She motivates me to make my own goal and push myself to get to it.

My Life. My Decision. My Career.

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Days ago, I made a big and tough decision. It's really hard to make decisions that would definitely change your life. If you can still remember with my previous post, when I discussed about after college life gets tougher, I mentioned my experience on how challenging finding a job was. I know am not good enough. I have no experience and am not even an expert on my field but one company believed in me. It felt like hurray!! Am so lucky! This is one of the biggest accomplishments I'd ever had after college. 

The first few months of my job was so much fun but as time goes by I realized that somethings wrong.  I got that feeling that someone wants to pull me down and as an introvert and an amateur in the real world, I don't really know what to do. I thought that maybe this is not really made for me or maybe I did something wrong. I know I should talk to the HR about this but I can't. Why? Its because I felt like she herself is the one pulling me down.The worst advice I got from her is I need to get along with my co-workers that I need to disobey the #1 rule or task that my Boss told me. I'm confused and don't know where to go.  But I made my decision and that is whatever it takes am only going to follow my boss even if I won't be able to get along with my co-workers. I need to save my ass because my boss is the one paying me not them. I know its a bit mean but its true. I always end up going home crying until I fall asleep.

I remembered when a friend of mine told me about his job. And I find it interesting so I simply registered and see what are the jobs they're offering. At first, I'm not really looking for a job but on my toughest times I gave it a shot. But then I stop looking and decided to get along with what I have now even if part of my mind saying that "your no longer happy why would you stay?" Then one day someone emailed me and offered me a potential job. I will never forget that date September 18, 2011. I was very excited and the job offer is very interesting. I don't have any background with Wordpress but I told her how dedicated I am to get into the job (I really am).I think God heard all my prayers because she believed in me and gave me a chance.

And yes, I made a huge decision and I choose a new career. I'm happy to experience working in a real company. I would definitely miss all the parties and company outings because I will no longer experience that with this new career. So the decision has been made. I'm happy with it, I never regret anything. I just wish for a long working relationship and prayed that everything will be fine. 

How about you? Have your tried looking back and thought all the decisions you made?

After College. Life gets tougher!

Last April 15, 2011, College life ENDS. Hurray! No more projects, no more assignments, and no more asking for papers. HAHAHAH. Well,sorry but I really forgot to bring paper and even a pen whenever am in school and my DEAR BOK is my savior. LOL. Things I NEVER forgot was my USB Thumb drive (who's been with me for almost 4 years now), cellphone and wallet. Challenging college life was. Stressful but FUN! I always enjoyed the times when we are actually doing things that an IT should be.

Programming
My nose never stops bleeding when am dealing with this. LOL. Though I loved it but still it drains my brain. hahaha.

Networking
Oh yeah! Reading is a habit! We are more on theories than actual. Considering my school's facilities, listening to our professor was one of the best way to learn. :-)

Data Security
Oh! Hacker and Cracker. What's the difference? LOL. Now am no longer confuse. Thanks Sir! :-P

Math
Yah! yah! NUMBERS. I don't hate numbers (like others do) I actually love it! I would rather face numbers than facing the class and do a presentation. nyahaha.

Documentations
God! The toughest one! I sucked with paper works. Am not really good in this but I have no other choice. hahaha. Need to pass. LOL

Projects
Hmmn. Pressure is on. But through this, I've been closer to my classmates. We are able to deal with different personalities. Sleepless nights, Chip in, arguments, debates. hahai. Missed all those stuffs.

College is simply a medium of pursuing our dreams. In our college life we are trained according to the field that we've chosen and equip us with knowledge that we can use throughout our life.

After college, what's NEXT?

Your done with your school stuffs. Now what? Some says, "I wanna have rest. Enjoy!" and others says, "I wanna look for a job". Our entire life of education is over and everything changed. After college, I started seeking for a job that suits my skills.

Job Hunting
Oh my! Based on personal experience, its not that easy especially for a fresh graduate like me. No experience and I admit am not that skilled. Interviews, exams, and skill tests. Shit! I sucked on interviews. Damn! Dunno why am scared on interviews. But proud to say am more confident on exams and skill tests. :P And after all those efforts, God has been so great and gave me a chance to work. Then here comes work. Luckily, I was able to get a job that's inclined with my field. :) ( just got lucky! hahahah :-P)

First day. Quite scared and shy. New people, new environment, and new learnings. I applied as a web developer but they offer me a different job. Be there IT support. Oops! I know am not that good in this but I accept the challenge. And 'til now, am enjoying it. I love my job. :-) Though I missed dealing with codes but am comfortable and satisfied with my job now. I hope everything would be fine.