I am going to work in my pajamas. That was my plan. I had this fantasy of working at home that involved comfortable yet unflattering clothing, tons of food and generous sprinklings of television. I was so determined to go against the traditional "work mode" that I was inclined to swing to the opposite extreme. And I think this a common misconception, amplified by "work at home" ads that depict just such a scene. Or claim that you can work on commercial breaks or while the kids are sleeping.
I have not found this to be an effective approach. The truth is, yes you get to work from home but it's still work. It's still a business. The only difference is now you're both the boss and the employee. You should act no differently than you would if you had a regular 9 to 5 job.
Office Space
I highly recommend a designated work space, fully equipped with any tools or references you need. Obviously, the exact materials needed will depend on the nature of your work and the magic of the internet can provide most of the references you need. Still, I like to have a few reference books handy, including a preferred writer's handbook. I like "The Elements of Style" and keep it close by.
The space should be clean and well organized so that everything you need is easy to find. It should not distract you and you should not have to fuss with clutter to get to your computer. I keep a small set of shelves on my desk which acts as my ingoing/outgoing mail box, bill center and storage for professional journals. Everything is within arms reach of my extremely comfortable wheely chair. Because serious professionals need wheely chairs.
I also recommend natural light. Try to plant yourself near a window where you can get sun while you buckle down to the monotony of work. It is very easy to get distracted, discouraged and just generally bummed out while pursuing any kind of freelance work and some sunshine can make all the difference. I work exclusively on portable devices, using a combination of a tablet and a laptop. This does give me the freedom to work where I need to, or want to, be. And I will admit that during the summer I test the power of my WiFi and write outside. But try to make these kind of diversions the exception, not the rule, and use them to keep from burning out.
Schedule
As I said, a home job is still a job and should be treated like one. Which means a schedule. Decide when you will work and work during those times. And only those times. It's very easy, especially for obsessive people like myself to want to work all the time. For the sake of your own sanity and for the love of those around you, stick to your schedule.
This means that you have to be disciplined and focused during your work hours. Know what you want to accomplish at the beginning of each work day and get it done. If your work pays by the job, as it does for many work-at-home writers, determine how much you need to get paid by the hour (this means making a budget) and use that figure to help you decide how many jobs you need to finish per hour.
If you leave it up to chance or a haphazard approach, paying the bills will not be a pleasant experience.
Attire
If you feel confident you will work more efficiently. That is an accepted fact. And you will feel more confident when you are showered, dressed and ready to face the world... even if you never leave your home. You may feel silly at first, getting all ready to go and then settling back into your own home but you will be more alert and more prepared to deal with the work if you feel presentable.
