One of the main problems that I have found personally working from home is the boundary between work and home life.
When I used to work elsewhere, the drive or walk home was always a way to unwind, reflect on the working day and to ‘close’ the working day before getting home.
However, I discovered that working from home can blur the lines and I was finding it hard to switch off. I worked later than I wanted to, and was constantly checking emails and social media. I decided that something needed to be done!
My first idea, which seems so obvious now, was to not have all the email inboxes open while I’m working. I thought it would be helpful to have mine and my clients emails open all the time so I could see when work came in.
WHAT A MISTAKE THAT WAS!
I became too distracted by emails, and then found myself feeling stressed when email after email was pinging at me, telling me there was more work to do. I realised that was very counter productive and didn’t allow me to concentrate fully on the work I was actually doing.
So now, I check all the emails first thing, then close the emails again whilst doing work, and check them again in the afternoon and action what needs to be actioned if urgent or make a note of it to do with tomorrow’s work.
This has really helped me not to feel so stressed and panicked, and I can highly recommend it. Oh and while we are on the subject of emails, turn off your email notifications on your phone too or they will just pop up there instead!
The second idea was to actually create a workspace that I can use, so it doesn’t merge into my daily life. Being comfortable is really important – I’m still working on getting the right desk and chair heights because my set up now gives me shoulder ache, but it’s something I’m working on and is a top priority.
Thirdly was to set myself some breaks so that I didn’t just sit staring at a laptop all day long. It’s so important to take regular breaks, even if that involves getting up and walking round the house, or making a cup of tea.
Being refreshed is far better for making sure the work I’m doing for my clients is the best it can be.
Lastly when I had decided what time I wanted to work to, I decided at that time to get up and take the dogs out either for a walk or to play in the garden. That’s my ‘reflection’ time that I don’t get by not commuting, and signifies the end of the work day and the start of home time. The laptop goes off and put away until the next morning.
I’m sure there are many other great ideas and suggestions out there on how to efficiently work from home and not to blur the day into one, these are just a few that I’ve found really helpful.
Am I perfect, no! I still find myself checking emails and social media when I shouldn’t, but I’m getting better at it – oh and it also helps to give my phone to my husband to hide from me so I can’t keep checking 😂