How to Make the Most of Working from Home

Oh the old days… the time when I’d slip on my suit, pantyhose and high heels, drive frantically to my job (only to be stuck in traffic for most of it), then to do everything within my power to make sure I was in my office and working before my boss arrived.

Such good times!

The work was never the problem, it was all the other things I had to deal with. Believe me, I don’t miss commuting or working outside the home.

But sometimes there are some elements of working outside my home that I really miss.

Like the structure. The schedule. Fewer interruptions…you get what I mean.

And I don’t know how it is for you, but having a home based business can be a bit tricky if you don’t have structure and boundaries in place.

In today’s blog I’m sharing how make working from home easier and a lot more fun.

Space

The first thing you must do when working from home is to set up a dedicated workspace.

Space specifically set up for you to work that can allow for uninterrupted time and the space to get your work done.

So find a space in your home where you can work that includes:

• Your desk and chair
• Shelves and storage
• Your Computer, printer, fax and phone

Take some time to organize it properly and in a way that you know you work best.

I often look for home office boards and pictures on Pinterest, on Instagram using the #homebasedbusiness or #homeoffice #homeofficespace #homeofficedesign

Schedule

The next you want to do is create a schedule for yourself or you’ll find yourself burning out.

I’ve made the mistake of doing this several times, but I’ve found myself working nearly every minute of every day.

In part it’s because at first I was really in love with my business and I was so obsessed I didn’t want to do anything else.

But then it was because I needed to DIY a lot of my work (to keep costs down).

And then after I reached a certain level in my business, I started to have a lot of projects and tasks going all the time, in addition to working with my clients.

Creating a schedule and sticking to it will be key.

Here’s what I recommend when creating your schedule:

• Determine the days of week and hours of the day you’ll be working
• Decide which tasks you’ll be doing and which you’ll delegate to someone else
• Determine the hours you’ll be working with clients
• Set dedicated time for your marketing and business development

Speak Up

If you’re running your business from home and your family is in and out. It’s important that you tell them when you’re working and have a conversation about your business.

Some of my clients have had challenges with their family members not respecting their time and or space, so don’t get upset about it, talk to them and tell them when you’ll be working, work together to find a work environment that everyone can live with.

And if you need time in your home to work on your business and you don’t want your family there when you do, give them plenty of notice so they can make plans.

Communication is an essential element to having a home based business that doesn’t turn into conflicts in the home.

Spend Time Outside Your Home

For me this means getting out every single day. I’ve been guilty of working so hard that I’ve forgotten to leave the house.

But these days I make a habit of going out every day. Whether it’s for a walk with my neighbor, taking my puppy to our beach, or just going to the coffee shop to get a change of scenery.

And sometimes I even schedule work time outside of the home and pack up my things to work at Starbucks, the library and even at a colleagues house.

And then there’s been the very rare occasion when I’ve been know to book a hotel room in Newport for a full day of business development and then have my husband come meet me for dinner out and a get away at the hotel. (Kind of decadent but oh so great!)

When it comes to working from home.  Keep these three things in mind:

1. Set up a workspace you love and will work for your style of work
2. Create a schedule that means you’re not working 24-7
3. Talk to your family. They won’t know what you need unless you do
4. Get out of the house every single day

Now I’d LOVE to hear from you. What’s been your experience working from home? What do you LOVE and or HATE about it? What are some tips you can share that have made it easier and a lot more fun?

Need help growing your business? Click here to schedule a complimentary session and I’ll help you identify which areas of your business need the most support to reach the level of growth you’d like to see.