Guest Post by Paul Matthews
Working at home can bring with it an abundance of merits, such as being your own boss and not having to conform to work hours. However, though setting up a home office has many benefits, often your work life balance can be compromised, especially if you’re a work-at-home parent, if you don’t get it right. Here’s a look at 7 key ways to improve your work/life balance when you work at home:
1)Build Downtime Into Your Schedule
As an entrepreneur, it can be hard to press pause, especially when you’ve got so much going on. But to be at your most productive, you also need to recognize the importance of building some downtime into your schedule. Make it so you’ve got enough time for yourself in your week. Ensure you’ve got some evenings left completely free, turning off your phone so you’re not contactable during this precious downtime. Try to set a goal of 3 – 5 relaxation activities a week to create a better balance of work and play.
2)Create A Designated Work Space
Much like changing out of your pajamas into a proper outfit, a designated workspace can do wonders for your productivity. If you’ve got a home office room then you’re helping to create a better work environment.
On the other hand, if your home “office” is more like a laptop at your kitchen table, think of ways to make it as suited to work as possible. Get rid of distractions like the television and try to sound-proof the room as much as you can. Alternatively, you can even look into creating your own office space in a renovated shed (speak to residential conveyancing solicitors to work out your options).
3)Make Time For Exercise
Exercise can be a great stress release, helping to release endorphins that make you feel good. You don’t need to have full-on workouts to start noticing a change in your general health, even more, delicate exercise such as yoga can have a positive impact.
4)Make The Most Of Weekends
If your working week and your weekends seem to blur into one, it’s time to differentiate the two. While it may not be possible to stop working every weekend, you should definitely make the most of your time when you are off. Visit family, go on vacation, remember what life is like outside of work! Limit checking your computer or phone to an hour at the start of each day. After that, it’s relaxation time.
5)Stay On Top Of Communication
If you’re an entrepreneur you might not have a team of employees to communicate with just yet – but you may have a few contacts that are beneficial to your business. Stay on top of communication by giving them a ring every now and then, arrange to meet for a catch-up and keep in touch.
6)Have A Strong Support Network
Surround yourself with people who support you and your career goals. They should be understanding when you need to miss an occasion and be there to lend a listening ear or offer advice. A strong support network can be just what you need when you work from home.
About the Author:
Paul Matthews is a Manchester based business and tech writer who writes in order to better inform business owners on how to run a successful business. You can usually find him at the local library or browsing Forbes’ latest pieces.
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