Government has advised people to work from home and for many it will be a whole new experience. Here Derek Davis, offers his views on how to best adapt, and enjoy, the work/home balance

Working from home for the first time can bring about a mixture of trepidation, excitement and bewilderment.

I remember my first time, who doesn't?

Filled with a determination to make it a success I jumped out of bed and went through the exact same routine as I would if leaving for the office - shower, coffee, dressed, and ready to go.

The advantage now was to be at my new desk more than an hour earlier than if I had to make the commute.

That assiduous approach at getting dressed lasted less than a month as it dawned on me no-one cared what I looked like, as there was no interface with colleagues or contacts.

Of course, when I did go to meetings I dressed appropriately but in my 'office' boxers and a T-shirt were the rig of the day.

It was that sort of freedom that proved a definite benefit, that and being able to go and listen uninterrupted to Pop Master in the kitchen while doing the washing up in the kitchen as part of my mid-morning break.

Other perks were being able to go for a walk around the beautiful Shotley peninsula as a screen break, time to clear the head and get creative.

Back at the desk and I find once settled I can plough through the work at pace. No answering someone else's phone, no more getting caught up in meaningless gossip or meetings to arrange meetings. I still miss the buzz of a newsroom so I have the radio on in one room, the TV on in my work space, usually tuned to a news channel, but on the whole I can get a lot done without distractions.

Being able to arrange your own time is a huge boon, if you need to do the school run, or meet contacts, or simple things like doctor's appointment, can all be fitted in. Work is done around those things, not as previously, the other way around when you had to make arrangements outside work hours.

As a journalist I need deadlines, so I set my own and no-one knows if I miss them, although I have been known to give myself a stiff talking to if I miss one.

The freedom, the independence, the added productivity are all positives. Of course, you need to be self-motivated, establish your own routine however loose, be flexible and adapt without ever forgetting your goal.

The downside can be the loneliness, or the feeling of detachment if you work from home with a company, rather than your own business. I'm comfortable in my own company, happy to crack on with whatever task set and results are usually tangible.

I'm also fortunate that I do go out to meet people a fair bit in my day job, and as a councillor meeting constituents, council officers and fellow councillors.

One of the accusations often made by those who do not have the luxury of working from home, is people will slack. That might be the case in a small minority but I genuinely believe the majority get more done when at home getting on with things.

Bosses, if you have one, need to be the sort who trust their staff, do not have their own insecurities or control issues. Good communication, without being over-bearing, is vital on both sides. Being able to reach out and contact like-minded colleagues or friends, via something like WhatsApp, works well for many.

Last but not lest, is the increase in energy and enthusiasm to do more things, Instead of getting home, having dinner and flopping out on the sofa, home-workers generally find they are more energetic and love to get involved in sociable activities, including supporting and promoting local businesses and joining community groups.

My top 10 tips for those joining this wonderful world of working from home would be:

Do –

• Start early and get stuck in, that said everyone's body clock is different so work when you are at your most productive
• Have a dedicated work station, unless you can do everything on a phone and can wander where you like
• Have a clear vision of what you want to achieve that day
• Set deadlines
• Remember to take a break, it is easy to get in a flow and forget to stop
• Work to live, not live to work
• Take advantage of your freedom, go for a walk or take exercise when the mood takes you and get back into it newly refreshed
• Find like-minded workers and communicate. Keep in touch
• What works best for you, when and where.

Don't –

• Take your work to bed, leave it in your work space and start afresh the next day
• Worry about what you look like at home
• Prevaricate, by going on social media or messaging for fun
• Listen to the negative people
• Let things like broadband issues get you down – deal with them, or take a break if your system is down knowing you will be able to catch up.

For those with families it could be bit more of a challenge. I'm fortunate, I have a16-year-old who only ventures out of his rom when he is hunger. But, how are you coping with younger chidren? let us know.

Any questions or to share your experiences please get in touch [email protected]

Derek Davis is the recently appointed Regional Editor (Suffolk) for Nub News.

Previously, after nearly 20 years in newspapers, he spent more than seven years working mainly from home as a freelance content editor, public relations and sports writer, with Write For You and publisher of Peninsula News and Features.