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Chris Croft

Working from Home Effectively

Work from home while being productive, focused, efficient. Working from home as self-employed, freelance or remote work.

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Working from Home Effectively

Work from home while being productive, focused, efficient. Working from home as self-employed, freelance or remote work.

Working From Home is becoming increasingly popular, available and empowering. Imagine if you could work for any company in the world and not just those that are based in your city or country. Or imagine if you had more flexibility to care for your family, renovate your home, or start a business. Working From Home is a commonly misunderstood and understudied skill, but if done right it can truly transform your career and open a lot of new doors. Despite increasingly becoming a part of our everyday lives, amazingly, most people are never taught how to be effective in making your own schedule and workspace. So, in this course, you’ll be walked through step by step on how to simply and effectively manage your time and space at home, regardless of your industry and personality type.

This course covers everything you need to know about running a Home Business, working in Virtual Teams, or even Working Abroad. Essentially any situation where you might need to spend a day at home instead of in an office building, but still be productive, focused, organized and of course happy. We focus on extremely practical actionable changes you can make to ensure Working From Home is just as effective as working in an office... perhaps even more. You’ll learn whether a daily routine is truly essential, tech and tools to make life easier, mastering virtual calls (as a guest or a host) and creating a brilliant office space at home. Say goodbye to feeling low energy, distracted and unmotivated, and instead enjoy the simplicity of building your own schedule. This course covers detailed tips for excellent planning using Gantt Charts and PERT diagrams, managing a team, avoiding overspend, predicting risks and dealing with multiple stakeholders.

After this course, you will feel calm, collected, well prepared and confident that you can work effectively from anywhere. You’ll know how to create your own schedule and find your own motivation and goals. We look at lots of real-life software and set up examples and give you practical tools you can use right away to get better results in your day. Whether you're a solopreneur with a home business, or part of global virtual teams this course will empower you as someone who is always one step ahead.

Chris Croft is an international speaker, and widely published author, who's been working from home successfully running training courses for over 20 years. He's taught all over the world, as well as online, and has an entertaining and practical teaching style. This course is guaranteed to keep you engaged and amused, and teach you life-changing skills you can put into practice right away.

The course overview includes:

  • A step by step practical guide to working effectively from home

  • Create a work environment which suits you

  • Overcoming stress and procrastination

  • Be able to manage successful relationships with your boss, colleagues, and team

  • Assessing whether routine is a good or bad thing

  • Worksheets and tools to consider your personal motivations, home setup, and relationships

  • Defining your 'why' in order to stay motivated and focused

  • Things you MUST discuss with your boss before you go Remote

  • Creating a healthy work-life balance

  • Implementing effective Time Management, lists, and technology

  • Mastering virtual calls as a host or a participant

  • Feel calm and effective in Working From Home part-time or full time

  • And lots lots more.

By becoming productive and effective at Working From Home, not only will you pave the way for a future promotion, but you'll also have transformed your own personal happiness and freedom potential.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • A step by step practical guide to working effectively from home
  • Create a work environment which suits you
  • Overcoming stress and procrastination
  • Be able to manage successful relationships with your boss, colleagues, and team
  • Assessing whether routine is a good or bad thing
  • Worksheets and tools to consider your personal motivations, home setup, and relationships
  • Defining your 'why' in order to stay motivated and focused
  • Things you must discuss with your boss before you go remote
  • Creating a healthy work-life balance
  • Implementing effective time management, lists, and technology
  • Mastering virtual calls as a host or a participant
  • Feel calm and effective in working from home part-time or full time
  • And lots lots more!
  • Show more
  • Show less

Syllabus

Welcome
What to Expect
Pros and Cons of Working from Home
Introduction
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Offers practical strategies for managing time, space, and relationships while working remotely, which are essential for maintaining productivity and well-being
Includes guidance on using Gantt Charts and PERT diagrams for planning, which are valuable tools for project management and task prioritization
Taught by an experienced trainer who has worked from home for over 20 years, which lends credibility and practical insights to the course content
Explores the importance of defining your 'why' to stay motivated and focused, which is a key element in maintaining productivity and job satisfaction
Requires learners to consider their personal motivations, home setup, and relationships, which may require introspection and effort outside of the course itself
Examines the importance of discussing key issues with your boss before transitioning to remote work, which may require learners to initiate potentially difficult conversations

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Reviews summary

Practical guide to effective remote work

According to learners, this course is a highly practical and actionable guide for anyone looking to improve their working from home experience. Students frequently highlight the engaging teaching style of the instructor, Chris Croft, making the content easy to digest and apply. The course provides concrete strategies for managing time, reducing distractions, mastering virtual communication, and setting up an effective workspace. While many praise its value for newcomers, some more experienced remote workers suggest parts might be basic and could benefit from deeper dives into advanced topics. Overall, it is seen as a valuable resource for building confidence and effectiveness in a WFH environment.
Excellent introduction for those new to WFH.
"As someone new to remote work, I found this course <span class="positive">very helpful and easy to follow."
"It covers all the <span class="positive">fundamentals you need to know when starting out WFH."
"Provided a solid foundation for understanding common remote work challenges."
"If you're a beginner, this course offers a <span class="positive">clear roadmap."
Helpful worksheets and tools are included.
"The <span class="positive">worksheets were actually very helpful in thinking through my setup."
"I appreciated the mention of <span class="positive">free tech solutions discussed in the course."
"Using the suggested <span class="positive">lists and systems has really improved my organization."
"The accompanying resources add significant value to the video content."
Addresses procrastination, distractions, and virtual meetings.
"The sections on <span class="positive">reducing distractions and <span class="positive">overcoming procrastination were the most valuable for me."
"I finally feel like I have a handle on my <span class="positive">time management thanks to this course."
"Mastering <span class="neutral">virtual calls became much easier after applying these tips."
"Addressed the specific challenges I face working from home, like managing boundaries."
Instructor Chris Croft is clear and engaging.
"Chris Croft is a great teacher, very <span class="positive">engaging and easy to listen to."
"I enjoyed the <span class="positive">instructor's style; he keeps it light and <span class="positive">practical."
"His <span class="positive">experience comes through, making the advice feel very credible and relatable."
"The lectures were well-paced and held my attention throughout."
Tips are highly practical and easy to use.
"The course gives really <span class="positive">practical advice I could use immediately."
"I found the <span class="positive">tips for managing distractions and <span class="neutral">time incredibly useful."
"This wasn't just theory; it provided <span class="positive">actionable steps to improve my WFH routine."
"Learned several simple but effective techniques to boost my daily <span class="positive">productivity."
May be too basic for experienced WFH professionals.
"If you've been WFH for a while, much of this might be a <span class="warning">refresher, not new info."
"I was hoping for more <span class="warning">advanced strategies; it's quite <span class="warning">introductory."
"Some topics felt a bit <span class="warning">superficial; I wish they went into more detail."
"Didn't offer much I didn't already know after years of remote work."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Working from Home Effectively with these activities:
Review Time Management Techniques
Refresh your understanding of time management principles to better structure your workday at home.
Browse courses on Time Management
Show steps
  • Review articles and videos on time management.
  • Practice time blocking with a sample schedule.
  • Identify your peak productivity hours.
Review 'Remote' by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
Explore the benefits and challenges of remote work from a business perspective.
View Remote on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book 'Remote' by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson.
  • Reflect on the arguments presented in the book.
  • Consider how these ideas could be applied to your own work situation.
Review 'Deep Work' by Cal Newport
Learn strategies for minimizing distractions and maximizing focus while working from home.
View Deep Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book 'Deep Work' by Cal Newport.
  • Identify strategies to implement in your work routine.
  • Track your focus and productivity levels.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Design Your Ideal Home Office
Create a detailed plan for your home office setup to optimize productivity and well-being.
Show steps
  • Assess your current workspace and identify areas for improvement.
  • Research ergonomic principles and best practices for home office design.
  • Create a budget and timeline for implementing your design.
  • Implement your design and track its impact on your productivity.
Practice Virtual Meeting Etiquette
Refine your virtual meeting skills through role-playing and self-assessment.
Show steps
  • Role-play common virtual meeting scenarios with a friend or colleague.
  • Record yourself participating in a virtual meeting and review your performance.
  • Identify areas for improvement and practice those skills.
Create a 'Working From Home' Guide
Synthesize your learning into a practical guide for others transitioning to remote work.
Show steps
  • Outline the key topics to cover in your guide.
  • Research and gather information from reliable sources.
  • Write and edit your guide, focusing on clarity and actionable advice.
  • Share your guide with others and solicit feedback.
Create a Personal Productivity Dashboard
Develop a visual tool to track your productivity, identify trends, and optimize your workflow.
Show steps
  • Choose a tool for creating your dashboard (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets, Tableau).
  • Identify the key metrics you want to track (e.g., hours worked, tasks completed, project progress).
  • Design and build your dashboard, incorporating visualizations and data analysis.
  • Use your dashboard to monitor your productivity and make adjustments to your workflow.

Career center

Learners who complete Working from Home Effectively will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Remote Project Manager
A Remote Project Manager needs to be highly effective at working from home, and this course can help build a strong foundation for this role. They often lead virtual teams, and therefore the course's coverage of managing virtual teams, running meetings effectively, and mastering virtual calls becomes highly valuable. This role requires the ability to manage time effectively, something that this course addresses explicitly. The course's discussion of tools and technology can also improve a project manager's efficiency and boost performance. A candidate can use their experience in the course to show employers they are ready to lead in a remote work setting.
Virtual Assistant
The role of a Virtual Assistant requires one, by definition, to work effectively from home, as such, a course covering the very fundamentals of effective remote work is invaluable. A virtual assistant must stay organized and manage their time efficiently while working remotely. This course can help build a strong foundation for this. The course's focus on time management, technology solutions, setting up a workspace, and mastering virtual calls is directly relevant to the tasks of a virtual assistant. The course's emphasis on defining one's 'why' and managing distractions can especially help to stay motivated. This course can greatly help a virtual assistant be more productive, organized, and effective.
Remote Software Developer
A Remote Software Developer often works from home, and the tips from this course can greatly enhance their productivity. The course's focus on creating an effective workspace, mastering time management, and reducing distractions are exactly what a software developer needs to thrive. The course can help establish routines and maintain motivation, which is often a challenge in a work from home environment. The course also provides resources for managing stress, which can empower a remote developer. The course’s guidance can also lead to better team communication.
Online Instructor
An Online Instructor is a role that is inherently done remotely, thus the skills taught in this course can benefit them. The course emphasis on mastering virtual calls, team management, and time management makes it particularly helpful for instructors who need to design and deliver engaging online courses. It can help those who need to effectively communicate with students in a virtual setting. Moreover, the course’s focus on reducing distractions and maintaining focus can help online instructors in their course development and management roles. With this course, candidates improve their ability to remain effective instructors.
Remote Team Lead
A Remote Team Lead is often responsible for the productivity and well-being of their team, which can be challenging when working remotely. This course will greatly assist a team lead in mastering the virtual team landscape, as it offers strategies to manage virtual teams and run meetings effectively. The course's emphasis on time management, technology, and personal motivation are vital for a remote leader to ensure a team's success. Furthermore, the course's exploration of personal stress management, and promoting work life balance can increase team engagement. By covering how to define a personal 'why', this course will help a team lead inspire and motivate others.
Online Therapist
An Online Therapist typically works from home, and thus this course can provide valuable tools for effectively managing their work environment. This course’s topics on mastering virtual calls, time management, and creating a productive workspace are valuable for a therapist conducting online sessions. The course’s resources for stress reduction and building motivation will additionally support a healthy work-life balance for a therapist in a remote environment. The techniques and strategies provided by this course will allow the online therapist to provide better support for their clients. The course provides fundamental skills that will improve a remote therapeutic practice.
Freelance Consultant
As a Freelance Consultant, it's crucial to be self-directed and efficient, often working remotely. This course may be particularly helpful because it emphasizes time management, work space optimization, and staying productive while working from home. The course helps build a framework for consultants to manage their time, create an effective workspace, and maintain motivation, all vital for the freelance lifestyle. Mastery of virtual calls, as covered in this course, will help this candidate connect with clients with confidence. The course’s tools and techniques for managing one’s own workflow will translate into a more successful freelance business.
Telemedicine Professional
A Telemedicine Professional must be successful working from home. This course can be extremely useful as it teaches how to create a productive work environment and effectively manage time. The course's direct focus on mastering virtual calls is crucial for effective telemedicine consultations. Furthermore, strategies to reduce stress and maintain focus are highly important in this demanding field. By learning techniques to optimize their work from home, a telemedicine professional can improve their client outcomes and professional success. A candidate can improve their practice by following the techniques discussed in the course.
Remote Sales Representative
A Remote Sales Representative depends on their ability to work from home effectively and this course directly addresses that need. This course's focus on time management, mastering virtual calls, and staying productive while working from home is invaluable for a sales professional. The ability to reduce distractions and manage stress, as taught in this course, can also make a sales representative more effective. By creating the right work from home environment, as described in the course, the candidate will be better positioned to meet their sales goals. The course will help improve sales productivity and professional success.
Virtual Event Planner
A Virtual Event Planner works from home and therefore must master the skills described in this course. The course's topics on managing virtual teams, running virtual meetings, and staying organized make it incredibly useful for this role. The ability to manage time, stress, and stay motivated all contribute to successful event planning. The advice on creating a suitable workspace and using technology will make the virtual event planner more organized and productive. The knowledge gained from this course may allow the planner to design better and more organized virtual events.
Online Tutor
An Online Tutor works from home and needs to be effective in both an online and home environment, and therefore this course may prove useful. The course’s emphasis on effectively communicating through virtual tools, managing time, and creating a productive workspace directly supports the needs of an online tutor. The ability to manage stress and stay focused, key course themes, are very important for an online educator. Moreover, the course's emphasis on creating an environment that suits the individual will translate into a positive teaching experience for both the tutor and student.The course’s advice on planning and work from home will also inform a tutor’s work.
Remote Customer Service Representative
Many Remote Customer Service Representatives work from home. This course can be particularly beneficial in helping to establish a working environment that minimizes distractions and maximizes focus. The course's focus on stress reduction, time management, and effective communication via virtual calls can be especially helpful in an environment that requires staying calm under pressure. The material of the course also provides guidance to develop a routine and a work from home system. Customer Service representatives who take this course can better handle the challenges of remote work.
Content Creator
A Content Creator who works from home will find this course relevant. The course provides practical strategies to manage time and space, which are vital for a content creator working in a flexible environment. The course may be useful as it covers how to maintain focus, reduce distractions, and master virtual communication. It can be particularly helpful for those who must independently manage their content creation schedule. Content Creators will find the course’s emphasis on motivation and work life balance will be helpful in producing engaging content repeatedly.
Public Relations Specialist
A Public Relations Specialist may find this course valuable in managing a remote work environment. The course's emphasis on effective time management, mastering virtual calls, and team communication can help a public relations professional stay connected with colleagues, clients, and the media. The course's focus on reducing stress and maintaining focus are especially important in a field with high demands. With better time management and a more effective virtual work environment, a public relations specialist can handle their responsibilities more effectively. The course's insights will increase their work productivity.
Remote Recruiter
A Remote Recruiter often works from a home office, and this course may be especially useful in creating a productive and efficient work environment. A remote recruiter must master the skills required to engage in virtual communication and manage their time effectively. This course's focus on virtual calls, team management, and time management directly address these needs. Recruiters will also benefit from the course's emphasis on overcoming distractions and maintaining focus, all critical for remote work. Understanding how to create a healthy work life balance, as taught by the course, can help a remote recruiter avoid burnout.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Working from Home Effectively.
Explores the importance of focused, uninterrupted work for achieving meaningful results. It provides strategies for minimizing distractions and cultivating a deep work ethic, which is crucial for maintaining productivity while working from home. It is especially helpful for those struggling with focus and procrastination. This book provides additional depth to the concepts of focus and productivity.
Challenges conventional thinking about remote work and provides a compelling case for its benefits. It offers practical advice on building and managing remote teams, fostering communication, and maintaining productivity. This book is valuable as additional reading and provides a different perspective on remote work. It is commonly referenced by industry professionals.

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