Whether telecommuting while working for another company, or running your own business out of a home office, working from home is becoming more and more common.
There are tons of benefits to this such as reduced overhead, reduced commute and ensuing costs, and boosted morale, to name a few.
Here are some of my quick tips that can help navigate some of the pitfalls that can trap a stay-at-home worker.
Daily Routine
While it is extremely tempting to roll out of bed late and stagger over to the computer, unwashed and in your favorite pajamas, you may want to think twice about it.
It is much more productive to treat your home office like you would any business office. Take a shower first. Put on clean, fresh clothes, even if they are just sweats and a t-shirt…at least you aren’t wearing your PJs.
The reason this is important is because it sets the tone and your attitude toward the work you are doing. If you treat it too casually, you will be less efficient and less professional in what you deliver.
Having a daily routine also helps with the next tip: Time Boundaries.
Time Boundaries
Just because the computer is always available doesn’t mean you should always be working.
It is important to keep life balanced, so that means that your family will need some of your attention during waking hours.
Set time limits on yourself…create “office hours” that everyone in the family (and your business) know are the times you are working.
This does two things:
First, it helps the family to know when it is safe to connect with you and when they should leave you to your work. This is especially helpful to youngsters who haven’t developed the sense of propriety yet.
Additionally, if YOU know that you are on a time budget, you will find efficiencies in order to fit your work into that time.
There is an old adage, “Work expands to fill the time allotted it.”
Conversely, if you constrain the time to work, you can compress work so that you get more done in less time.
Physical Boundaries
Also important in family settings is the separation of your workspace. To the degree possible, create a place where you can be devoted to work, in a space that is devoted to work.
“Working” on the laptop in the TV room or dining room, though it seems “cool” to do, is confusing for family members, and again, divides your attention.
Face-to-Face Time
For someone who spends most or all of their time in the home office, it is important to find a way to connect with real people.
Join a networking group of some sort that forces some actual face-to-face interaction. This will keep your interpersonal skills honed, which we ALL need.
It can also break up the monotony of staring at the same 4 walls day in and day out.
With these four common sense ideas in mind, restructure your home work environment, and see for yourself the benefits of these tips.
Remember, treat your home business like a business, and it will take care of you.
Treat it like a hobby and it won’t.
If you would like to learn a little bit more about making an income online, take a look at this Free Webinar by my friend Noel Cunningham. Some great training in a very relaxed easy style. Take a look here >>>
