Being able to work from home is a dream come true for many people. For all of its benefits, there are drawbacks that can be costly if you don’t know how to work around them.
To avoid the pitfalls and survive working from home, remember these important points. Things will go smoothly and you won’t be so vulnerable to burn out or lose track of time.
Create a Designated Work Area
If you work from home, you will need a designated workspace that allows you to perform all of the functions of your job. It’s best to choose an area that your family will be able to respect as “business only”. You may want to be able to lock the room, especially if you have confidential information that shouldn’t be made available to everyone. Make your work area your own and decorate it so that it is both functional and comfortable.
Stick to a Schedule
Put together a work schedule that you can adhere to. Once you know how much you want to earn, you will know how many hours each day you have to work. Keep all of your important dates written down on a calendar. Include all of your family dates as well so that you are always available when your family needs you. Don’t forget to schedule days off so you have a chance to recharge your batteries.
Stay Organized
Stay as organized as possible. Make sure you have everything you need close at hand so you don’t have to hunt for it later. From your calendar to your office supplies, it’s important to run a tight ship so that you don’t have to waste time looking for the things you use the most. Staying organized is also key for your digital and hard copy files. Design a system that works for you and use it religiously. This will keep you from losing documents or files that you may need for future jobs.
Family First
When you work from home, you have the luxury of being able to be there for your family without having to leave work. While that is a great benefit, it can also be your undoing, especially if your family doesn’t respect your work time. Always put your family first, but make sure they understand that when it is time for you to go to work, they have to respect the fact that you may not be immediately available unless there is an absolute emergency.
Take Time for Yourself
Always take time for yourself. Working all the time can be stressful. Deadlines must be met and you have to make sure all of your duties are taken care of each and every day. With that being said, you must also take care of yourself if you want to be able to continue working. Schedule a short period of time every day that will allow you to sit back and relax. Take one day off every week where you do nothing work related. This gives your mind a chance to reset and focus on important tasks that need your full attention.
Working from home isn’t that difficult if you remain committed to your job and to yourself. Know what you want and work hard to achieve it. You can survive working from home if you take the time to stay organized and focused. The rest will take care of itself.