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Telecommuting: Defining Your Work/Life Balance |
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Contributed by Toni Grundstrom
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 Telecommuting
While you're working you can do a load of laundry and dry it, but don't take time out of your work hours to fold and put the clothes away. For every four hours of work you should give yourself a ten minute break. This is your time to do those types of activities. During work hours personal phone calls need to be limited, just as they would be in an office. Let your family and friends know what your specified work hours are and ask them not to call during that time.
Friends and family may perceive your work-at-home job an invitation to stop by or ask you to run errands with them. All of that can be accomplished, but not during your specified work hours. Clarify that with them and they will respect your professionalism.
Your work schedule does not have to fit in to the nine-to-five mode. Create your schedule to fit your lifestyle. This is one of the advantages of telecommuting. Schedule your hours when you know you're the most productive with less distractions. This helps you to get more done with fewer interruptions.
If you work at home a few days for your job negotiate the specific hours you will be available. You do not want to have work call you, or even email you, outside work hours. If they do contact you outside your defined hours be sure to add that to your reported hours. Do not feel that it was just one-half hour, no big deal. If you are readily available you will begin to work for free.
If your phone and computer are the technology you use to work from home create a separate email and calendar on your computer for work activities. A separate phone line for business will keep personal calls from interrupting business calls. If a separate line is not possible use your caller I.D. to screen personal calls to your answering machine or voice mail. Always answer you phone, during work hours, with your name or business name instead of 'hello'. These separation tips will retain your professionalism while you balance work and home.
Another separation idea is to have your office in a secluded area of the house or a room with a door. This creates a real work space and will help you clarify your work-life balance. Your work area should include the necessary equipment to perform your job professionally.
If you want your telecommuting business to remain professional you should dress the part. It can be helpful to dress 'office casual' during work hours to reinforce your professionalism. (I have to admit that I closed deals and contracts in my jeans and slippers, but that should not be the norm.)
One of the main advantageous of telecommuting, or working at home, is that you control your work-life balance. Defining work hours, space, and attire will create an environment for you to be a professional working at home.
Toni Grundstrom's expertise is in Marketing. Working for a professional association, government entity, and small business as a Telecommuter provides understanding of the concept and the issues surrounding this working option. She advocates for, informs and educates people who telecommute, work at home, or own a home based business. They are Professionals Working At Home.
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Copyright 2007 Toni Grundstrom All Rights Reserved.
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Article Source: Defining Your Work/Life Balance |
