Working From Home

The way we do our jobs is changing. Spending precious hours stuck in traffic jams and fighting our way into “the office” is fast becoming a thing of the past, and many people are taking the major decision to give up the nine to five and work from home.

Companies in the UK are finally showing signs of catching up with those in other countries, and acknowledging that many people can work as well or even better when they are offered some flexibility in the way they do their jobs.

However, taking the plunge to either do your current job from home, or become self employed and work from home is a huge decision, and not one that should be taken lightly.

While working from the comfort of your home may sound like an inspired idea when you are stuck in traffic on a rainy Monday morning in November, the reality is quite different, and you will not be able to punctuate your day with endless trips to the coffee machine or catch up with the gossip in the corridor.

On a more serious note, you also need to consider certain benefits such as private healthcare, pensions, free training and support from an HR department.

When you leave the office environment, you are leaving a lot more than traffic stress, and you may find that giving up your comfort zone of companionship and the office canteen will take its toll.

To work well from your home it is vital that you have a dedicated office area. This could mean converting a spare room, making space in your dining room or having an office built, but whatever you do you will need a personal work space to focus your mind and stay disciplined.

Balancing your laptop on your knee while you sit on the sofa and watch daytime TV is not a good idea, and will not focus your mind at all so the first stage of home working is to get organised and create your space. Decide on your working hours and try to stick to them. If you have a room as your office then try to get into the habit of closing the door at 6pm and do not open it again until the next morning. It is one of the most difficult things to do, but you will work far more effectively if you keep some boundaries in place.

It is also a good idea to have a second phone line put in that is a dedicated business line. This makes life much easier when it comes to sorting out your books and doing your expenses. It also means that you won’t be bothered with friends and family ringing you while you are trying to work. Your personal phone should be switched to answer phone during your office hours-at least until you have established a good working routine.

Being in the right mindset is also really important, and if you persistently sit and work in your pyjamas from the comfort of your duvet you will not be very productive. There may be no need to wear a suit for work any more, but constantly slobbing around in ultra casual clothes will not focus your mind either.

Working from home has huge benefits such as no traffic or parking stress, lower fuel bills, cheaper coffees and lunches, and you will be more productive without the lure of all that office gossip.

Effective planning is probably one of the most crucial aspects of working from home, and is definitely worth investing some time in.

However, discipline is paramount and you may find that your friends will think you are available for coffees and chats at any time. It is a good idea to set the boundaries right from the beginning and make it clear that you are working-even though you are at home.

If you have time, suggest a quick coffee and catch up at a time that suits you, but do not get into the habit of allowing every waif and stray into your kitchen at any time. You will end up getting stressed and frustrated and you will not do your job properly. If necessary put a polite notice on your door, asking people to catch up with you later.

Although you need to keep a check on social visits, the company of other people is very important when you work alone and getting involved in networking events is a good way to meet other home workers and even promote your business.

Most people who have taken the plunge say that working from home really suits them, but it does not work for everyone. You need to be very disciplined, motivated and happy with your own company as the days can be very long.

Getting the balance right is really important so make sure you leave your home office at some point during the day-even if it is only a trip to the bank or to do the school run. One really important lesson is to really make the best use of your time that you possibly can, and that does not mean working flat out all day without so much as a coffee break.

See our tips below of how a daily plan can be established, and remember it is much better to take a proper lunch break away from your office than to work through and launch an attack on the biscuit tin at 3.30!

On the upside of home working, you will never have to try and conquer the M25 in rush hour ever again and you will be in control of your own destiny.

Top Ten Tips for successful working from home

• Be disciplined and motivated and do NOT work in your pyjamas! You must have a schedule and stick to it. I plan my week on a Sunday evening so that I know exactly what will be happening after the school run on Monday morning!

• Make sure you have a dedicated workspace. It doesn’t have to be a purpose built log cabin retreat in the garden, but it does have to be a self contained area of your home that is separate from the rest of your house.

• Be really, horribly, frighteningly organised and keep all your books and expenses up to date. Set aside a time each week and diary it so that you stick to it. If you let paper work pile up, you will get depressed!

• Get a book keeper and an accountant. You didn’t decide to work for yourself so that you spend precious time adding up rows of figures.

• Make good use of any free resources for new businesses and working from home such as networking groups, websites and organisations such as Business Link.

• Make sure your workspace is attractive and makes you happy. I swear by fresh flowers, a Diptique candle and fresh coffee.

• Distractions are difficult, and I have found that the worst distractions are caused by neighbours who just assume you are available for coffee and chats all day every day. Be strict-I have even had to put a notice on my door to say that I am working and much as I would LOVE to see my friends I do actually have to earn a living!-they get the hint eventually! (and they are still talking to me!)

• Take a break every now and then, and make sure you have a lunch hour/half hour. Try and get out and go for a walk, a swim or nip to the gym. Schedule a couple of classes each week if you can, and make sure you take time out for treatments, haircuts etc as well. Taking time out for yourself is not an indulgence, it’s an essential part of your lifestyle maintenance and well being programme, and you will work more effectively if your stress levels are kept under control.

• If you are working around your children and school hours, do not even attempt to work between the hours of 4 and 6 unless you have childcare. One of the reasons that lots of us work form home is to be there for our children. If you are locked in your office and the children are left to their own devices for too long, it won’t work-trust me!

• When you have finished for the day-close the door and relax. Just because you work from home does not automatically entitle your clients to 24/7 service-we all need to leave our work from time to time.