3 Getting used to working from home

As we found out in the last chapter, working from home has become much easier over recent years, especially as technology has become more sophisticated. Some people, especially those who have been used to working in larger companies, can take a while to get used to working in a less structured setting. This chapter offers some advice on how to get the best from working at home.

Step one: Create some boundaries

As we said in Chapter 1, when you start working from home, it’s crucial that you set up a suitable work environment and set boundaries. It’s hopeless trying to balance your laptop on your knee in the kitchen while you attempt to avoid intrusions from family or friends; you need to set rules for yourself and others so that everyone can support your efforts rather than sabotage them.

If there are other people at home, be clear about the time you set aside for working. Non-work interruptions can be frustrating when you’re trying to get something done to a deadline.

Set up boundaries by establishing in advance how you’re going to manage your time at home, including things like the beginning and ending of your working day. Having a separate room to work in is key here as you can close the door and cut down on disturbances. Stick to your guns and people will soon get the message.

If your work requires you to receive visitors, try to find an area where they won’t be distracted by your domestic arrangements. Having to ignore the pile of washing on the kitchen floor can be very off-putting, however friendly you are with your guests. If you’re unable to avoid these situations, find a local hotel or restaurant where you can meet for an hour or two. Again, this is about creating boundaries that will enable you to maintain focus and create an impression of professionalism.

TOP TIP

If you’re an extrovert and enjoy the buzz of having other people around, it’s important to recognise and cater for this. You could try planning a certain number of days in the office and balance these with quieter, more productive days at home. If you’re self-employed, you may need to schedule visits and meetings sufficiently regularly for you to feel involved with and energised by others.

Step two: Get into a routine

It’s important to differentiate your day between being ‘at work’ and ‘at home’. If your working and resting times become confused, it can feel as if you’re always on duty, and when you do take a break you can feel guilty that you aren’t finishing a project. This differentiation comes naturally when you have to travel to and from work, but when your routine changes you’ll need to find a way to make this shift yourself. For example, it could be signalled by a routine; making a cup of coffee, taking it to your desk, closing your door, and switching on the computer. Once you’ve done this a few times, this routine creates the boundary within which you can work effectively.

TOP TIP

Although the idea of wandering into your office pyjama-clad may appeal, get up and get dressed as if you were going into the office. Obviously you don’t have to wear a suit or very smart clothes, but getting changed is another ‘signal’ that you’re starting your working day .

Plan your day so that you don’t find yourself wasting time. The advantage of working from home is that you have greater control over interruptions. People will no longer be able to wander past your desk at will and ask you for some information or, worse, to do something for them. A great deal of time is wasted in these ‘Oh, by the way . . .’ moments that happen mostly because you’re accessible or visible.

Step three: Take regular breaks

Make sure you take breaks throughout the day. Most people’s concentration starts to diminish after about twenty minutes, and if you continue to work after this time thinking can become a struggle. Taking a break, perhaps a short walk, can re-energise your thinking capability. Of course, breaks need to be balanced by the need to be productive.

Try not to get distracted by picking up something else that needs doing. You’ll only end up wasting time and lowering your efficiency by spreading your energies too thinly.

Step four: Work at your work–life balance

Make sure you plan for the end of the day as well. When you work at home, it’s all too easy to stay sitting in your workspace well into the evening and to ignore the private side of your life. It can be hard to juggle these two aspects of your life, but everyone needs a break from work.

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Make some time for yourself, friends, family, and other interests; you’ll be much happier in the long term .

Common mistakes

You lose your focus

For those who enjoy dynamic environments and the cut and thrust of being in a busy office, working from home may not be enjoyable. It’s tempting for this type of person to create dynamism for themselves by finding activities that distract them from his or her own company. Flitting around from task to task can create a feeling of being ‘in the flow’, but may not be very productive. If you worry that you may be prone to finding ‘displacement’ activities rather than doing any work, spend a few minutes at the beginning of the day creating a ‘to do’ list. This will focus your energy and make sure that there’s a valuable output to the day’s activities.

You can’t switch off

It’s very easy for people to work beyond the call of duty when the office is located in the home. This is especially the case if you’ve started a new business; the first stages can be really hectic and long hours are often unavoidable. ‘I’ll just go and answer a few e-mails . . .’ can become a lengthy session in front of the computer that eats into private time. Try to discipline yourself to keep to the ‘rules’ that you’ve set, with only occasional exceptions for real emergencies or key deadlines.

You lose track of the time

If you miss the energy you get from working with others, you might turn to the phone as a substitute for their presence around you. It’s easy to pass a lot of the day on the phone and to find that, as a result, you have to work late to actually achieve anything that day. Again, this is a question of discipline. Give yourself time to be in touch with others, but keep control of it. A large clock on the wall in front of you is a good reminder of how long you’re spending on each activity!

STEPS TO SUCCESS

Create some boundaries between your work space and your home space so that you and separate the two halves of your life more easily.

Make some simple rules, such as what will be the beginning and end times of your working day so that you and anyone who lives with you can get used to your new routine.

Keep your work space tidy and welcoming so that any visitors to your home office won’t be alarmed by your domestic arrangements!

Plan your day so that you actually get something done. Make sure you also take regular breaks throughout the day, though, as they will help you keep your concentration up.

Don’t let yourself get distracted by household or garden chores that need doing. They can wait until you’ve got some work done.

If you’re an extrovert and benefit from having other people around, don’t cut yourself off. Balance time in the office with quieter time at home so that you have the best of both worlds.

Switch off in all senses at the end of the day. Keep to your rules and end your work day when you planned to. Don’t keep rushing off to check your e-mail during the evening unless there’s a genuine emergency or important deadline to deal with.