Jeremy Kaplan
Working from home may seem like a wonderful idea, especially if you’re a parent. The idea of spending more time with the children and of having the freedom to choose your own hours can be very attractive. After all, who wouldn’t want to have the opportunity to raise the kids while also bringing in money – it’s the best of all worlds, isn’t it?
However, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind before making the decision to work from home.
1.Have A Dedicated Office Space
If you’ve occasionally worked from home before, you probably just cleared a space on the sofa and popped yourself down with your laptop on your knee. However, if you’re planning on working from home full time, this isn’t going to work in the long term.
You need to have a dedicated area which you can turn into a home office. If you have a spare room – wonderful. If not, think about finding a way of converting part of one of your existing rooms into your work space. You may be able to rearrange some furniture to achieve this, or use a room divider.
Part of having this dedicated space also means setting boundaries for your family. Have set office hours during which they cannot disturb you so that you won’t be constantly distracted.
2.Buy Quality Equipment
It might be tempting to buy cheap equipment for your home office, however this is false economy. A cheap computer will simply break down and require replacing more quickly than a better quality model. An uncomfortable chair will just lead to you developing back pain the longer you sit in it. Think long and hard before buying any furniture or equipment for your space and think about the kind of quality equipment you’d find in a “real” office. At an absolute minimum you need a well designed desk with plenty of storage and enough room to hold all your essential items without constantly having to move things around as well as a comfortable ergonomically designed chair that will give you the support you need for long periods of time working at your desk. You can find more information at https://officeworthylist.com/best-ergonomic-chair.
3.Consider Dressing Up
So, it might sound a little odd to think about wearing office gear to just go downstairs and work, but it can actually have a positive mental effect. Are you really going to put in maximum effort and do your best work if you’re still in your pajamas? The way you’re dressed really can affect your work ethic, and if you’re feeling too relaxed, your drive might suffer. Always act and look the part, wherever your office is located.
4.Know Your Working Hours
One of the dangers of working from home is the flexibility it brings. While this is also the biggest advantage, it can lead to your becoming too distracted and failing to get any work done at all. Knowing you have all day and night to get a project done can lead to you sleeping in, watching TV of hanging out with the kids and then struggling to complete in time. On the other hand, the opposite may happen, and you might end up being unable to separate your work and home life, finding that you’re still slaving away long after midnight. Having set office hours will make sure that this never happens.
5.Understand Your Job
If you’re setting yourself up as a self-employed business owner or a freelancer, you’ll already know exactly what your job involves. However, if you’re working at home on behalf of an employer, you’re going to need to be aware of the guidelines and regulations you’re expected to follow. Do you need to be at the computer or phone at particular hours? Do you need to go to the office from time to time? Are you required to travel to another state or even another country on business? Make sure you know exactly what’s expected of you first to avoid any disappointments or misunderstandings.
6.Socializing Is Still Important
One of the things you’ll miss most when you’re working at home is the socialization with colleagues. There’s no longer anyone to chat to at the water cooler and it can get lonely. Try to participate in conference calls whenever you can so you’ll feel part of a team. Video chats are important as are instant messages with others that you are working with.
Working from home can be a wonderful option for many people, however it is never a decision to be taken lightly. Make sure that you consider all six of these things very carefully before you make the choice.
