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Working from Home? Set Limits

By Jennifer Zach

Do you work from home? Do you want to work from home? If either is true, there is one thing you must know: working from home requires a strong set of boundaries.

When you work from home, you are working from the home front. That means staying focused amidst surrounding daily home life and not giving in to the idea that just because you work from home you are available for this, that and the other thing.

Lines of limits are a must in the work-at-home environment. They define and clarify expectations. Set them and you and those around you will be glad you did.

In the traditional office setting, the responsibility of setting limits typically falls on someone else. If you work from home, it falls on you. So where do you begin?

First, tune in by reflecting upon what’s working in your work-at-home environment and what’s not working. Is your workspace comfortable and inviting – perhaps too inviting? Are constant interruptions causing you to lose focus and your head to spin?

What about hours? Is there a flow to your day or are you constantly shifting between personal and professional life and losing valuable energy in between?

Decide where you need to draw a line.

In my own home office, I have invisible lines drawn around my space, time and accessibility. For example, my office, not the kitchen table or living room floor, is the base for my professional endeavors.
As for time, I have defined working hours. If someone calls for a favor during that time, I can politely decline and share what my hours are.

Maintaining separate phone lines, one for home and one for business, has also proven to save a lot of angst and reinforces the lines of limits around personal and professional life.

Above all, be patient with yourself. Boundary setting is an ever-evolving process, but an important one. Boundaries are foundational to having a positive work at home experience.

Do you have a method for setting boundaries that works especially well for you in your home office? Share it here. If you could benefit from coaching around this topic, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]

Comments

  1. jen

    I couln’t agree more! Boundaries are a must! Especially if you have young children. This was some of the smartest advice I was given when I started my home based business. Boundries and limits, for sure.

  2. Andrea G

    I”m finding it hard to find ligit work at home jobs? Can anyone help?

  3. Darlene O'Hara

    Jen, please take a look at my website and at liasophia. lia sophia is a family-owned jewelry company whose items are sold directly to consumers through a national network of independent saleswomen. The company allows women the opportunity to own their own businesses, and sell a product line of 500 jewelry items which are affordable, fashionable and top quality. Each piece of beautiful jewelry is backed by their Lifetime Replacement Guarantee, so you can’t go wrong. Please feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have any questions.

  4. Marianne

    I feel the same way Andrea G feels. Are there any legit work-at-home jobs? Just like Andrea, I can really use the help also. I’m trying to better myself in every way. I just need help.

  5. There are legitimate opportunities out there. I am an independent associate with Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc., a 37 year-old, NYSE company that offer legal services and identity theft protection to families and business owners across N. America and Canada. They pay VERY well for contracts written. You also have the opportunity to network and benefit from the power of leverage if you like. We also do group benefits for employees with companies across the country. Take a look at http://www.getthemasterplan.com.

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