I've been working from home for 10 years. Here are the 6 biggest mistakes to avoid

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a period of working from home is becoming increasingly inevitable for many companies. For a number of employees, the experience is not>1. Working in pajamas

The most productive people don't wake up and instantly start working while still in their pajamas. Instead, they get ready for the day the same way they would if they were heading into the office — which, yes, involves dressing up in presentable clothes.

While the thought of working in your sweatpants without judgment might sound nice, your pajamas aren't exactly professional attire — nor will they put your mind in "work mode." According to a study from Northwestern University, employees, no matter what profession they're in, perform tasks better when they wear clothes that have "symbolic meaning."

Also, looking well-groomed and presentable will save you from the hassle of rushing to get ready each time an impromptu video meeting comes up.

2. Working from the bed or couch

Having a designated workspace is something I cannot stress enough. Good for you if you can work productively from the couch or bed, because very few can. 

There is no>3. Going dark

Even>4. Neglecting health

When you aren't in the office, there's usually even physical activity: No conference meeting rooms to walk to, no coworkers to go>5. Not creating structure and boundaries

It's easy to get distracted by personal matters when you're working from home, because you're so much more accessible to people outside of your worklife.

That's why you need structure — a consistent schedule that you're strict about — to prevent distractions from disturbing your workflow. The easiest way to do this is to create a to-do list for each day. It should include very specific, measurable and achievable tasks. You may need to adjust tomorrow's list depending>6. Taking the opportunity for granted

The option to work from home is a great privilege, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Some professionals, like hospital workers, are required to show up onsite for their jobs.

Of course, I can resonate with those who are working from home for the very first time but absolutely hate it. Early on, I had a hard time learning how to successfully manage my time and stay disciplined. But the experience has helped me grow in so many ways:

• My communication skills improved significantly. Having a strong presence when you're not in the office means learning to develop a clear and confident voice. Constantly talking to colleagues and clients over digital communication has helped me do just that.
• I'm a technology wizard. Working remotely comes with technological challenges. You may have a hard time connecting to your server. Your work computer screen just went black. Files seem to have disappeared. After spending hours on the phone with IT support, I'm now skilled enough to fix these common issues on my own.
• Increased self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Non-verbal cues are almost impossible to pick up on when you're communicating digitally. But after years of practice, I can easily pick up on tones and tell if a colleague is stressed, excited or depressed — and then respond accordingly.

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