Why Working from Home is So Damn Hard

Working from home (WFH) has long been the treasured end-goal of the workforce.

Who wouldn't want to work where there isn't a boss breathing right down your neck?

There's more flexibility in your hours.

Whoa! No commute!

You can slip in a walk or nap that otherwise you couldn't do at the office.

There are tons of bonus reasons to work from home.

But why is working from home so damn hard?

Mainly, because you have to have a lot of discipline to stay focused (the laundry needs done and the house needs to be cleaned...) and also set hard and fast boundaries.

It is so easy to let your home life creep into your work hours.

Children especially don't understand; they just know that mom or dad are home, and they want to spend time with you.

There's also the tantalizing temptation of an extra nice day outside, especially in the spring when everyone is sun-starved and wants to get outside.

Here are some tips to keep you on track and disciplined so that working from home isn't as tough to do:

1. Set regular work hours. Then communicate them. If you know you are going to work from 8am-12pm, then dedicate your time towards those work-related tasks. Don't allow non-work related appointments to slip in, because then they become a pattern, and patterns turn into behaviors, and behaviors then become routines. Let your colleagues and boss know your availability during those times, which also keeps you accountable, which is another tool to keep you on track while working from home.
2. Gently deal with interruptions to your work. Pets and kids often have no concepts of boundaries- they see you and want to interact with...well, you. Give your child an activity to do, or let your dog outside to play in the fenced yard on their own. Know in your mind, that once work is done, you will be able to give them 100% of your attention as you are giving 100% of your attention to the work that needs to be done.
3. Don't be afraid to defend your boundaries. Family members who work outside of the house sometimes don't understand that while they have exited their work space and come home, you might still be in yours. They might want to share about their day, or ask you questions about dinner, etc. You need to state, "I can't wait to hear more about this or plan dinner with you, but right now, I have a project that needs to get done. I'll be done in an hour and join you then!" Or, another trick I learned was to keep my office door closed and have a note outside that says I will be done with work at ____pm, and not to disturb until then.
4. Set rewards. I have found that if I concentrate all my energy and focus on knocking out a project so it is out the door and done, my reward might be a bike ride or kayaking excursion. Make a reward for yourself for staying focused, and it makes tasks more palatable for completing in the short-term so you can follow up with something you enjoy doing afterwards.
5. Keep checklists. Maintaining a task list of what needs to be done and when is critical to keeping those projects rolling and your concentration focused. As you check things off, it helps you feel like you are creating milestone accomplishments that reinforces your sense of value to the company. Since you are working solo at home, there oftentimes isn't that validation that you might get from co-workers or the boss.
6. Go outside for breaks. I try to step outside to clear my mind and just unplug. Getting away from your computer and into a different environment does wonders for your brain so you don't feel so wound up. When you come back in, it is amazing how much more energy you have and how things suddenly become more clear when you have a new perspective.
7. Create a separate office space so you aren't in the middle of family daily operations. Having a dedicated area away from family gathering areas (kitchen, living room, etc.) helps you maintain a sense of separation and not get pulled into discussions or activities. And take the time to make it an ergonomic, comfortable work space where you feel productive and even inspired.

It's not easy working from home but if you approach it from the right perspective, you can start to enjoy the benefits of not having a commute and creating a better work / life balance. How you maintain it is dependent on being clear on your boundaries and being disciplined in keeping your focus on work.

#WorkfromHome #WFH #Productivity