It seems that everyone with high speed internet access wants to work from home. It is certainly true that there are many advantages to doing so, but it is also true that working from home presents its own unique challenges. Before you start working remotely, consider these tips to stay up to date.
First of all, many people assume that working from home will mean fewer distractions. After all, people who have worked in offices know that when you’re in a hurry, the last thing you need is coworkers coming over to ask you for something or just to chat. Or what about those difficult coworkers you wish you could avoid contact with? If you work from home, you will be free from those distractions and difficulties, right? Well, it can be if you take the right steps to address other potential issues.
It’s quite common for people who work from home to find that they end up with more distractions than they bargained for. Do you have pets that need to be cared for? Even though they spent the day alone when you were working, you might be surprised how much more attention they think they need just because you’re home.
You will also find that your friends and family ask you to stop what you are doing and help them. It can start as simple as having a package delivered to your house since they know you will be home. Then they show up at 3pm to pick it up and the next thing you know, they’ve invited themselves over for a chat.
Many of your friends or family may also assume that because you are working from home that you are suddenly available to handle all of your child care needs. Depending on how presumptuous they are, even the neighbor’s children may knock on the door to be let in while their parents are walking out of the driveway and waving at you. Of course, you can’t leave a small child to fend for himself at such a time, but the problem will definitely need to be addressed, or you will never achieve anything in your work.
The best way to prevent this problem is to be totally inflexible. It may sound harsh at first, but if you set a clear line that you’re working and just can’t get distracted, then before you know it, you’ll stop receiving these requests. The same goes for pets or children at home. Are you at work. you’re invisible. The sooner you act like that, the sooner they’ll get used to it.
Another temptation when working from home is to take long breaks. We tell ourselves that since we don’t have a commute to and from work, we can grab a two-hour lunch to catch up with friends or watch TV during the day. The problem is that what starts out as a break can quickly turn into an afternoon off. The key is to set limits for yourself, and stick to them no matter what!
You can also delineate between work and home life by having your own designated office space that is only used for work. Folding clothes and preparing a work proposal should not be done in the same space. It is also important to avoid the other extreme: burnout. Many home-based workers tend to have a harder time getting away from the computer and making the transition to home and family life. Use technology to your advantage by setting pop-up reminders to stop for lunch, pick up your kids from school, or call it a day.
Some would say that these kinds of rigid rules take all the fun out of working from home. But if you do your work in the allotted time, you can skip that commute, wear what you want, and set your own hours. On the other hand, if you take long breaks, stop to play with the dog every hour, or are talked into running errands, you’ll find that what should be an 8-hour day quickly turns into a 12-hour day just to get things done. things. .
One of the pitfalls you may not have thought of when you decide to work from home is missing out on the camaraderie of coworkers, as well as the networking opportunities you get by interacting in the business world. An alternative might be face-to-face time at the office if you work for a company. Also, take advantage of the many online networking opportunities available.
If you work for a company, losing your sight, losing your head can end up being one of the difficulties you encounter. For example, although you may be highly qualified for a promotion, because you work from home, you may not be taken as seriously as some of your competitors. It’s also easy for you to inadvertently be left out of important communications. It is important to be very intentional in order to remain indispensable.
People who work from home can quickly feel like their lives have become very small and self-centered, too. Isolation is a big problem, especially if you tend to be more overworked. Be sure to include a business lunch or some other pleasant distraction in your work week. A great way to combine business and pleasure is to join an organization that hosts social events designed for networking and relaxation.
Working from home is undoubtedly a blessing for those who are made for it. You just have to make sure that you are an entrepreneur and stick to the goals that you have set for yourself.