Working from home is a dream for many and
while many are at it, churning out work while the stew boils over the stove.
Working from home isn’t as pleasant as it feels like. It is not about
getting up late in the mornings and doing things according to your whims. It
is not about being able to take personal calls while you work or enjoy a
recharging power nap. No. Working from home is a bigger challenge since it
requires more focus than working from an office. The atmosphere of a house
is very different from a workplace.
You can’t say a no to unexpected guests. You have a million distractions
like helping the neighbour, the sudden hunger pangs and an urge to do
something else is always hovering. Working from home requires more focus
than an office set-up and can be difficult at times. So if you are looking
at working from home consider the pros and cons and take a look at the
parameters here than can make working from home a better experience.
Create Timelines
Always create a timeline for your own projects otherwise the deadlines will
keep eluding you forever. So keep time and aim to finish work on time as you
would do at an office. Timelines are a good way to see how much work you can
finish in a stipulated time frame.
Create a task list
This is a great way to have in front of your eyes what you need to complete.
A task list with deadlines helps keep a tab on what you need to prioritise
and complete first. It helps dividing your time better and getting more out
of less time. You can simply mark off what you have finished and that will
give you a sense of accomplishment.
Create a separate work corner or work space
Make a space for your work. If you do not have a room then pick a corner for
your work and put a desk in that corner. Make it a mini office with things
you will need like the computer, internet connection, a phone, some
stationery and post it. Keep this corner as your work space. Once you sit
there get in the mode to finish work. Maintain a planner
Keep a planner that helps you plan work and assign time and submissions. A
planner is a good way to keep a record of what you plan to do and have
accomplished.
Check e-mails regularly
Never skip e-mails. Check mails every morning and then get to work. Have
hourly checks on mails but do not mix mails and work all the time. Stay away
from chatting with friends and unnecessary browsing. Keep some time away for
those and do it at that time only.
Special Tip
When you are working from home avoid being at your work desk in your night
dress with messy hair. Clean yourself and be dressed like you were going to
work. If not that meticulously then at least dress tidily, before you begin
work. It will give your mind a signal that it has to be ready to work.
Working from home can be a great advantage for new mothers and those who
find it difficult to fit into the 9 to 5 routine. Working from home can be
great if you know how to manage time and keep finding more work.
Disadvantages of being in a full-time job
A full-time may eat up your entire day. You may be behind office walls all
day long on your desk and come out only once it dark. You cannot say a no to
things you do not want to work on. You have to take up what is part of your
job and also make sure that your boss is noticing all the efforts you are
making to give your best. A full-time job takes up your entire day with a
lot of other distractions that happen at work. And due to these distractions
you may be considering switching over to self-employment.
Disadvantages of being self-employed
Like we see the disadvantages of working as a full-time employee there are a
myriad of things that can make the option a very disappointing experience.
The most important is that you will be working alone. Your only help is your
client and yourself. Plus you miss on all those perks that you may receive
at office. You will have no colleagues to interact with. You will be the
sole decision maker. Being self-employed does not give you monthly income
that is the same. There may be days when you have no work at all. So running
the show all on your own can be a lot of hard work, so be prepared to play
multiple roles.
So if you are deciding to switch over on the other side you can think about
what works for you and choose one.