My office is in the front of my house where all my neighbours see me at my computer day in and day out. Because I am at home they think it is OK to pop over for a chat or to borrow something or for a favour. Strangely the same thing happens with my children and my husband. "I'm actually working you know, my boss is waiting for this" was a common refrain around my house when I first started working from home.
It just wasn't outside influences I was fighting with it was also keeping myself on track that was an issue. Flipping the laundry, popping out to cut the grass, that endless list of things to do at home that are always in the back of your mind when you work from home and oh so easily distracting. Would I rather walk the dog or read another resume.
It soon became apparent that I had to set rules and guidelines for myself and family members. My first and most important mandate was:
This is your career treat it with respect.
From this statement I was able look at my issues and set up some standards for operating my business. This included simple things like:
- Setting up a private office. I set up a room in the house that was out of bounds for children and visitors (my cats were and still are welcome).
- A proper desk and comfortable chair are a necessity.
- Getting out of my pyjamas when I went into my office. I still do casual office attire, but my makeup is on and it makes me feel more professional.
- If you have children be prepared to get a babysitter for your busy times.
- Shut the door so there are fewer distractions. Make sure all family members know the rules. They can't be yelling for you when you are on the phone conducting an interview.
- Take your lunch break away from your desk. Go for a walk outside. Stretch your legs and relax your mind for 60 minutes.
- Set up mini deadlines. These tasks have to be finished before I can succumb to another cup of tea.
- Set up a schedule for checking your personal email, etc, that way it won't become distracting.
- Separation of job and family time. Don't work on the weekend just because it is there and easy to access. It is so easy to say "I will just go and finish that report". If you aren't late with the task then use your weekends/night time for family time.
- If your work is computer related, then unplug it and take it to the coffee shop for a change of scenery.
- Keep your equipment up to date, if your computer needs upgrading then do it. Otherwise you will lose productive time with a computer that is slowing down and freezing.
When you respect your career you automatically respect yourself
These small guidelines have helped me work successfully from home for the past 25 years. When I started treating my job like a career, it didn't take long for my family and neighbours to follow suit. I'm still working on the cats O:).
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