Working from home provides numerous benefits for you, your family, and your free time! It’s certainly an ideal work situation, but it doesn’t come without its own challenges.

When done correctly, you can begin working from home seamlessly. By setting the stage for success in a home-based job, you’ll reap the benefits of this unique work environment while producing effective, efficient work for your employer. Read along for some work from home skills you will need to learn as a foundation for your success.

1) Know Your Schedule: And your family’s schedule! Home-based jobs are structured around a variety of schedules, so be sure that you’re looking into and choosing those that fit your home life. Working from home provides a lot of freedom, but not if you’re working at the wrong times for your family. Be selective in accepting positions that fit into your life.

2) Read Job Descriptions Closely: Try not to accept a work-from-home position just to get out of the office. It’s tempting, but will only lead to more discontentment. Working from home is still work, and it’s very important to choose a job that suits you. Pay attention to job descriptions and only interview for jobs that you would truly be happy to receive.

3) Create a Separate Space: The most common fear of home-based working is lack of focus. By creating a separate space or office to do your work, you’re already on the road to success. You don’t have to be exclusively confined to this space, but it will ground you as your “home base” for work, allowing you to block out distractions, noises, and other tasks that need to be done around the house.

4) Make a List: Have a plan in place! “To do” lists are even more important when you work from home, since you’ll find yourself doing the work around the house, taking kids and pets to appointments, and running errands as well. It can be tough to keep it all straight, especially when you’re also working, so don’t be afraid to jot it down. It’s always fun and satisfying to cross something off of a list!

5) Schedule Your Days: Working from home actually requires more structure than a traditional office job! You’re essentially “free” to do as you please, as long as you complete your work. Unfortunately, this can lead to a lot of rushing around to finish tasks if you weren’t focused all day. If you’re scheduling, just as you would at a 9-5 in an office, you’ll be sure to prioritize correctly.

These work from home skills are foundational to the success of your home-based job or business. Practice these before you leave the corporate world to give structure to your new endeavor.

Check out these other great articles about productivity / time management as a work from home professional. Also check out our current job postings for mom professionals.