5 Tips to Make the Most From Your "Work From Home" Life
Thoughts of days of leisure, working in pajamas, and getting more work done in less time are often what people think of when dreaming of working from home. Many people that start working from home soon realize however that it is difficult to separate home life from work life. Unforeseen interruptions from family and friends, no structure of time or workspace, and sometimes a sense of seclusion can affect our work at home productivity. When this happens we often begin to ask if all of it is worth the effort.The truth is working from home is just that…work. There is no greater feeling in the world than being able to work from home. You do get more time with your family and you have more time for yourself. But to remain productive and enjoy the many benefits of working from home, you need to begin defining the line between work and home. Let me share with you 5 ways that you can keep your business on track and enjoy your work from home life.Define a Workspace For Your Home OfficeAlthough it is tempting to work on the couch or laying in bed, you really should set aside a space in your home specifically for your office. Having a work area that has all of your business needs helps you to stay organized and stay focused on the task of running your home business. When you work from any room in the house, you can easily become distracted by the television, refrigerator or even the dog. By having a specified space in your home, you put yourself in a mind set that work is about to begin.Yes, You Must Get Dressed…At Least A LittleOne of the ads going around for work at home opportunities talks about making money in your pajamas. While that does sound pleasant, it is not a good idea to work all day in your pajamas or the same sweats day after day. Take the time to enjoy your morning cup of coffee with your spouse or outside on the patio. Then take the time to put on a pair of jeans and a collared shirt or simple blouse. You will change your mindset just by doing this simple act, and increase your productivity.Set Up Your HoursWorking from home allows you to work when you want and how long you want to each day. Obviously, the more time you spend building your business, the more rewards you will reap. But keep in mind also that many of your clients or business contacts do keep regular business hours. Attempt to set yourself a schedule that enables your clients or business associates to contact you and still give you the freedom you desire from working at home. Many home workers rise early in the morning and work until noon. They take long lunches, go to the gym or do some other personal relaxation. They often will go back to working on their business later in the afternoon until they feel like stopping for the evening. Even though your hours are now very flexible, it is important to stick to some sort of schedule.Learn The Word “No” QuicklyWhen family and friends know that you work from home, they believe you have all the time in the world. They ask you to do this or do that. they need rides and somebody to babysit. While it is nice to help friends and family out from time to time, you must also ensure that you are not being taken away from your business. You are going to have to learn to say “no” to helping out all the time or having friends visit every day at all hours of the day. People may get upset temporarily, but they must respect that you are running a home business and not just staying at home. Friends and family soon realize that it is still work and they will respect your decisions.Take BreaksYes I know the refrigerator is only a few steps away any time you want a refreshment. But those few steps four times an hour will keep you from getting into a “zone” and prevent you from being fully productive. By the same token, our mind and body needs a rest every couple of hours from our work. Take the time to take a 15 minute break every couple of hours. This provides you time to get away from the desk, stretch your legs and grab a snack. Make it a point not to go near your office space during your breaks. Enjoy the time away from the desk. You will find that you have more energy and will accomplish more throughout the day.When you stay productive throughout your work day, you spend less time “catching up” on business. The less time you spend catching up the more time you get to do what it is you want to work from home for…spending time with family. Do these few things that will help separate your work life from home life, and create a mindset that encourages productivity. Your home business will prosper and you will prosper, without pulling your hair out in the meantime.
