How to Work at Home and Not Go Batty!

I usually use this website for comedy articles, then I realized there is something I know how to do that might benefit others. Working at home has the potential to be your dream come true. But it also has downfalls and distractions, just like working in an office does. The best way to stay productive is to prevent yourself from losing focus in the first place. I have some great tips from my own experiences that can really help you avoid the potential pitfalls of working at home.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Nothing but your willpower.

1. Create a routine and stick to it! Treat your job at home, whatever it may be, as though it was just as official as a job outside the home. What time will you start working? When will you stop? It’s important to maintain a consistent routine every day. It’s too easy to be distracted at home by a spouse, kids, hobbies, or even chores. You have to cultivate your focus, and the best way to do that is to train your brain (and your family) with a regular routine.
2. Take breaks. You have to have a second to breathe and refocus. Schedule breaks into your regular routine. When I worked in an office setting, I didn’t take breaks. I found that my productivity decreased as the day went on. You’ll be much more effective if you stop for a quick phone call or a cup of coffee for 10 minutes a few times a day. It’s easier to schedule a break when you work at home, because there is no anxiety involved in doing so. You know yourself well, and you don’t have to fear that a boss is looking over your shoulder and assuming that you’re lazy. So take the break! You’ll be glad you did when you return to your work re-energized.
3. Avoid the television. Like the plague. It will suck the creative life right out of your brain. I know how much you love Ellen. Tape it. I'm telling you, leave it off. Stick to music. Or if you have kids, PBS and/or a movie for them. There is nothing that the t.v. can give you during the day.
4. Tell your spouse/kids that you are on a schedule. If you do have kids, you can still parent your children effectively and get your work done by building your work times into their nap times or movie times. Unless you are single, somebody in your life will be affected by the fact that you work at home. Don’t wait for there to be a problem. Tell your spouse or children right away that you want to put a schedule in place and get their input. It’s easier to work together on this in the beginning than it would be to wait for there to be a problem later with interruptions or frustrations. But remember, at home you are the boss. SO take input, but don't be afraid to put your foot down and just say, "I'm working right now."
5. Make an office for yourself. You don’t need an extra room or any new equipment. Just find a space in your home that works for you. In my case, my husband and I were lucky to have an extra room and a little extra money to make the space workable for me. But if you don’t have that, don’t sweat it. Try a few different places, and see what works for you depending on what you’re doing. Do you need quiet; do you prefer a view when you work, how about special lighting? We all need a little extra something to help us be creative sometimes. Everyone is different, but everyone needs a clearly defined space that is just for working.
6. Get outside. I’ve found that getting outside at some point in the day is still very necessary. You have to be careful about this. Just because you don’t have to leave your house for work doesn’t mean you should never leave your house. Spend some time outdoors every day, whether it’s a morning walk, or an evening trip for coffee. Get out! Otherwise, you could start to develop some slight agoraphobia or even just a little bit of anxiety. (I don't care how sane you are before you start working at home, it puts you in danger of going a little nutty.) So make sure to get out every day, even in the bad weather.
7. Clean the house. Make sure your house is spic and span before you attempt to sit down and work. Otherwise, if you hit a bump in the road during your work, you will take a break to start a chore. Before you know it, its three hours later and you are knee deep in housework. The best way to stay focused on work is to make sure you have as much done as possible in other areas. I’m not saying the house has to be spotless, no need to go all Martha on it or anything. But this is a good time to think of your job as though it was an outside job. When you worked in an office, did you take breaks to come home and mop the floor? No! Your work time at home should just be for work.
8. Have fun! Last but not least, try to enjoy your job at home. You probably work at home now because you hated your old job or because you have children. So make sure to take full advantage of the situation. Put on your favorite music, pet the cat, stop and call your spouse. And if working at home is making you miserable, then maybe it’s time to head back to the office. It’s just like any other job in that sense. If working at home is not working for you, maybe you should find another option. But once you've adjusted, I think you'll really love it!

Tips & Warnings

• Know the rules for your particular job at home. I once knew a woman who started a wedding cake business without knowing you had to have a license and a separate kitchen. Whatever you want to do at home, research it at length first!