Lotus Work At Home Mums Blog

Flicking the off switch

By Leigh Hunt on September 24th, 2007

One of the biggest challenges I’ve found working from home is switching off from work at times when I really should be focusing my attention elsewhere.  If there’s one area where going out to work has the edge on working from home (and I can only think of one!), it’s the fact that when you leave the office (or wherever you might work) you have a well defined boundary that makes it easy for you to forget about work.  At home you have to work really hard to create this boundary for yourself. 

So, one of the things I needed to get used to when working from home in my own business was exercising self discipline.  Some might think you need to discipline yourself TO work, but the truth is that invariably you have to discipline yourself NOT to work.  One more check of email, one more surfing session on the net.  It becomes almost like an addiction.  An addiction that needs to be kicked.

My self-discipline tips are:

1. Make sure you’ve got very well defined times when you work and when you don’t work.  And stick to them!
2. If possible, have a door that you can close on work. 
3. Schedule time every day for family, fun and yourself.  It sounds anal, but you’d be amazed by how planning your time in all areas of your life daily actually works to create balance.
4. Take time out of every day to do at least half an hour of exercise.  Not only does it feed the body, it feeds the brain.  Great for conjuring up new ideas.
5. Get out and about at weekends, and do your best to keep weekends work free.  I find this helps to revitalise me ready for the start of a new week. 

Although flexibility is a HUGE bonus to working from home, finding balance is by no means without challenge.  But get it right and you’ll reap the rewards of a thriving business and fulfilling family life.

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