Working from home since the mid-1990's has made me more protective of the time I have to complete my projects. Although I like getting things done in the comfort of my own place, I can't ignore the fact that it is certainly a challenge to be highly productive, but understanding the challenges has given me insight into how to deal with them effectively.
I will state at the outset that a) I am not married, b) I don't have children and c) I do a lot of field work as well. Points 'a' and 'b' are challenges I certainly cannot comment on, so if either of those apply to your situation, please share your experiences!!
The Challenges:
1) Nobody will take your time as seriously as you do - people who are content with working 9-5, Monday to Friday, like their weekends off. When working from home, sometimes you have to do some work on weekends. This means that friends may try to lure you out of the house with the promise of a party of some other fun activity, but you must stand firm sometimes to get your work done, otherwise, you will be procrastinating. Better yet, allow a certain time frame to complete your work so you can enjoy fun activities guilt-free.
2) Distractions are everywhere - from telemarketing, television, email, knocks on the door to wondering what snacks are in the fridge, distractions can throw you off course. Try turning off audible distractions, so you can concentrate and check messages periodically, rather than every five minutes (this includes email, cell phone, home phone and texts). Encourage colleagues to text you as much as possible but keep the ring tone off. The sound of the distraction can be much more stressful than the visual.
3) There is no punch clock - try to schedule tasks the best you can and try not to work too much. If you create a list of things to do, and do them, you will have a better sense of accomplishment and leave the rest for the next day. Start with four or five tasks per day, then whatever you don't complete that day, do the next day, but be sure to complete everything that week, when possible. You sometimes must create your own punch clock hours or time-frames when you can get important things accomplished.
Never feel guilty if you leave some tasks undone. Sometimes you might want closure on certain items, but you can't anticipate the actions of others you rely on, so you should go on to the next item and get back to the unfinished one at some other time when it is possible to complete it.
You might be your own employee, but you must also be your own manager, one who manages with a little more common sense and a little less emotion.
- Buck Moore, thinkworknotjob.com
helpful video:
Never feel guilty if you leave some tasks undone. Sometimes you might want closure on certain items, but you can't anticipate the actions of others you rely on, so you should go on to the next item and get back to the unfinished one at some other time when it is possible to complete it.
You might be your own employee, but you must also be your own manager, one who manages with a little more common sense and a little less emotion.
- Buck Moore, thinkworknotjob.com
helpful video:
