Setting Boundaries When Working Home

by Susan B.
(Arizona)

If you are going to work from home you must remember your boundaries. While working from home is supposed to be about freedom you need to set some guidelines for yourself.

1. Start and Stop Times - It is important that you make a decision of the amount of time you will spend working. Too little and you won't be effective to much and you will hate your home and your home business.

2. Do Not Disturb - You should talk with your spouse and kids (if they are old enough) and let them know that even though you are "home" you're working. You will not be productive if you cannot devote undisturbed blocks of time to your work.

3. Shut the Door - You need to have a designated work space and it shouldn't intrude into your living space. You need to mentally or physically shut the door. You will need this and so will your family.

Working from home gives you flexibility but in order to exercise it you must put together a plan. Remember that your home is where your family is. It will not always be easy to keep the balance. Start off with a few boundaries and it will make your life easier, help your family to understand what your expectations are and understand theirs. When you need to take off a day you may have to work a little more the previous or the next to stay on tract.

Working from home isn't like being on vacation. It allows you flexibility but you must understand that you are working in your safe haven and unless you can set your boundaries the two may collide. That said, working from home allowed me to spend time with my kids (now grown), taking them to their activities, getting to be at their schools when I needed to. It meant sometimes working on a weekend when my husband could be around to allow me solid blocks of time with no intrusions.

Would I do it again. You bet!