Working from home can be a blessing or a curse. Yet working from home?does work for some people. The built-in stress is very real, but it’s also manageable. Below are my best stress-busting tips for those who call home the office. PC Repair of CT can help you find the answers to your questions.
Establish boundaries.
The good news is that you don’t have to work 9 to 5. The bad news is that some friends and family may assume you don’t have to work at all. Set firm boundaries about not being disturbed while you’re at the office, even if the office is only feet away. In the long run, you’ll cut down on a lot of frustration and conflict. Treat work like work and be serious.
Claim your territory.
Use your office space and equipment exclusively for work. A whole room is ideal, but a designated corner will do. If you have housemates, you’ll save yourself much stress and aggravation over misplaced papers and accidentally erased computer files. Even if you live alone, you’ll feel more capable and confident in a professional work environment. Try to be organized with your papers and equipment. You have space to work, not an entire house to clutter.
Manage deadlines.
In many work-at-home jobs, ridiculously short turnaround times are the norm. But deadlines don’t automatically have to cause deadline stress. Break down large projects into smaller, less intimidating steps, and set milestones for when each step needs to be completed. Then dive in right away to ward off worry and procrastination. Setup white boards or use electronic project management programs to run your jobs. Basescamp is one of our favorites and Trello.
Meet with colleagues.
Speaking of work friends, make sure you have some, because social isolation is a major source of stress for home-based workers. Online contacts are great, but you also need face-to-face interaction. Join a networking group. Skype or Facetime is another option. Or consider a co workers arrangement, in which you spend some of your work hours in a shared office space.
Take housework breaks.
If you hit a mental block, don’t just sit there growing more and more anxious. Take five, and use those few minutes to tackle a tedious household chore or go for a short walk. Fold the laundry, unload the dishwasher, or make your bed. The chore should require only a modicum of attention enough to distract you from the anxiety of being home but not enough to derail you from the primary mental task at hand. This helps you relax and restore your mental focus.
Count your blessings.
When your neighbors are trudging off to work in bad weather, congratulate yourself on your commute. Your home safe and sound. When you’re having a slow day so you slip out to walk the dog and remind yourself how terrific it is to set your own hours. When your friend is complaining about her horrible boss, think how lucky you are not having to deal with such a boss.
Go home at night.
When you work from home, it’s tempting to never really leave the office. There’s always one more thing to be done, and it’s calling your name from the next room. Ignore it. Learn to close the door and walk away at a reasonable hour. The next morning, you’ll be more relaxed, refreshed, and ready for a new day at the home office. There is always tomorrow and there is always PC Repair of CT to help you get thru the day.
Looking for help in getting your home office setup. At PC Repair we can help get your office setup and getting your business moving once again. Call us today to learn more.