Work from home? Improve productivity with these tips

(ARA) - If you're one of the millions of Americans who works from home, you understand the many challenges that come along with the freedom. From the basic temptations of the TV to the stresses of not letting your personal life pour into your workspace, it's often hard to maximize productivity.

And today, more Americans are working from home than ever. A recent Census Bureau survey found that the number of people working at home increased by 9.5 percent between 1999 and 2005, with an estimated 11.3 million people working under their own roof. From accessing Satellite Internet to creating super effective to-do lists, there are some easy ways to get more done and boost productivity from your home office.

* Start the day right. Take a shower, eat a good breakfast and get dressed. As tempting as it may be to work in your pajamas, it doesn't help you get in the right frame of mind for a productive day.

* Create a productive work space. Your work space should be clutter free and as organized as possible. If this means spending an hour each week straightening up, do it. People who have a messy home often let the mess overflow into their office. In order to create an effective work area, keep it clean. Just imagine if your boss walked through the door.

* Get high-speed - no matter where you live. For years, DSL and Cable were the only high-speed Internet options for Americans. Satellite Internet is now providing a solution for the rest of the country. Satellite Internet is available in virtually every corner of the U.S. Whether you need to work from your vacation home in the rural mountains or simply live in an area that doesn't have access to DSL or cable, there's no reason to surf at work using slow speeds. Satellite Internet connects at broadband Internet speeds and also offers one of the most secure Internet connections available, so you can work knowing your personal and business information is safe.

* Separate work and personal space. Encourage your family to understand the difference between your home and your home office. Keep your office off-limits to kids, spouses and pets while you're working. And make sure you don't let your kids' toys overflow into the area. The more of a "work-only" environment you promote, the better it will be for your productivity. If you live in a small space or don't have an extra room for an office, try to clearly define a "work-only" area.

* Organize the day - and be detailed. Time management is essential when working from home. Start by setting office hours. If you don't report to anyone, set work hours around the times you're most productive. Make lists every day. Know what you want and need to accomplish and create an environment that encourages productivity.

* Take breaks and know when to end the day. When you work from home, it's easy to get sucked into a long work day with no breaks. Take time for lunch or try to take a 15 minute break every couple hours. Revert back to your designated "office hours" and end your day at a reasonable hour to give yourself time to relax at home.

Courtesy of ARAcontent