Working from home – how to separate your work from your life
Most people have an easy time after-hours. They clock in at nine, leave at five and don’t have to worry about work until the next day. For the soloist at home it’s a different story. Work is always there, following you around like anattention-seeking puppy.* Here are some ideas you can use to make your work behave.
Physically separate your office from the rest of the house
Make a room in your house into an office and keep all of your job-related items in there. Try not to go into your office after-hours unless you absolutely have to, and don’t bring your business documents into the rest of the house. That way you won’t have your work staring you in the face every time you turn around. If you don’t have a room to spare, you can cordon off an area using partitions or bamboo screens.
Divide your communication between business and home
These days, whenever a telephone rings we feel the urge to answer it right away. By installing a separate phone line, you will be able to tell whether or not you’ll be at work when you pick up the phone. Having an answering machine attached to your business phone will help you to screen unwanted calls. If you don’t want a separate line you can use a mobile phone, or set up a computer-based telephone program (like Skype) for your business instead.
These days, whenever a telephone rings we feel the urge to answer it right away. By installing a separate phone line, you will be able to tell whether or not you’ll be at work when you pick up the phone. Having an answering machine attached to your business phone will help you to screen unwanted calls. If you don’t want a separate line you can use a mobile phone, or set up a computer-based telephone program (like Skype) for your business instead.
Keeping a business-only presence online is easy. All you need to do is make a separate email account for work. There are plenty of free services that you can use, including Gmail and Hotmail.
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Creating computer separation can be a little trickier. If you already have two computers, just keep all of your work documents and programs on one of them. If you only have one computer, it’s probably not worth spending money to get a second. Instead, most operating systems will let you create two different user accounts on the same machine.
Unless you own a laptop, you’re going to be confined to your office whenever you use your computer. If you can’t avoid using your workspace, make sure that it’s tidy and that your job-related items are tucked away out of sight.
Schedule your working time properly
Some people are at their best in the morning, while others work better at night. Running your business from home gives you the opportunity to get things done when your mind is at its peak. You can however find yourself in big trouble if you don't manage your time properly.
Some people are at their best in the morning, while others work better at night. Running your business from home gives you the opportunity to get things done when your mind is at its peak. You can however find yourself in big trouble if you don't manage your time properly.
A lot of companies set working hours for their employees and you should do the same. Create a schedule and stick to it as much as possible. Give yourself enough time to do your work, but make sure that you add in sufficient break periods and be flexible enough to account for emergencies.
Add your tips and ideas
These are only a few of the many helpful tips and ideas out there on how to separate working from home from the rest of your life. If you have any comments or additions, please feel free to comment below.
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*No dogs (metaphorical or otherwise) were harmed in the writing of this article.
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