You now
have you home office arranged and you're enjoying the good life and all the
benefits of working from home.
Except...
Some of
the benefits have actually morphed into unexpected trouble. Let's take a look
at a few of the ways work at home assets can turn into liabilities, and how to
correct it.
I Can
Spend More Time With My Family
Skipping
the commute and time at work for a day at home with the kids, spouse, and pets
is a common reason for working from home. Everyone is happy you're right there
in your office, close at hand, all day long, accessible at the drop of a hat.
The
problem is, of course, you don't get any work done. You are just a few steps
away from everyone's wants and needs, so why wouldn't they call on you? The
solution is to set up boundaries and schedules. You have to treat your workday
as if you were gone from the house. Schedule in plenty of play time, as well,
and you will enjoy that extra time with the family that you wanted.
I Can
Get Housework Done While I Work
If you
worked outside the home for any amount of time, you'll remember how much you
disliked having to spend your evenings and weekends doing household chores. Now
that you're working at home, you can easily get those chores done during the
day.
The
problem created by this benefit of working at home is you lose focus rather
quickly. On the way down the hall you pick up the laundry. Then as you head to
the laundry room, you see dishes in the sink. Each little chore will end up
growing into larger chores if you allow it. Instead, choose an hour during your
day to catch up on a few things that would have otherwise waiting until you
arrived home at night after work. Your evenings are free, like you wanted, and
the housework gets done.
I Can
Work When I Want And How I Want
The image
of pajama-clad work at home folks is not that far-fetched. Many people like the
idea of getting the kids off to school and spouse off to work, then getting
cozy with another cup of coffee and snuggling on the couch with their laptop,
answering emails and starting their work day.
Unfortunately,
this lovely scenario can backfire. When we are in this cozy mode, we can lose
track of time. The day disappears and we are still in our pajamas and deadlines
are looming. Now we are stuck working into the night trying to get things done.
This is not the 'when and how' we planned. In order to make this benefit work
is to, again, set a schedule. Treat your work day like, well, a work day by
punching a time-clock you create for yourself. Get ready, get dressed, and get
to work.
I Can
Have My Own Peaceful Little Office
Having
your own space after perhaps sharing desks or cubbies with other workers sounds
like a nice thought. No more office politics. No more gossiping. No more
stress. Right? Just the peace and quiet of your own keyboard clicking away.
Peace and
quiet. And more peace and quiet. Now you're feeling lonely and isolated. You
begin to miss the camaraderie of having co-workers. The solution is to create a
similar circle of co-workers in your work at home situation. Reach out to
people in the same type of work, either through professional groups or social
media. Find forums that are engaging and purposeful. And don't forget to wander
out of the house routinely to meet up with friends for some face-to-face
fellowship.
