Successful Boundaries

In any working environment you need to establish a framework that allows you to be as effective as possible. When based at home there can be a few extra issues that may interfere with establishing such a framework. To prevent these issues from becoming a full blown problem you will need to introduce boundaries for yourself and others.

Interruption Boundaries
Nothing wastes time like friends and family dropping in because they don’t respect that even though you are at home, you are actually working. This is an important boundary to establish early on in your working from home experience and can be done so without causing friction or offence. When a situation arises don’t react in a negative way but by simple stating that you are not free at the moment and when it would be best to get in touch.

Establish interruption boundaries around when it is best to drop by, how to contact you during your working day and what is the preferred way for you to be interrupted if it is necessary.

Time Boundaries
Interruptions can have a negative effective on your time and initially it will be out of your control until you set boundaries. But not setting boundaries around how you personally deal with, plan or schedule you time could have a catastrophic effect on your future success.

• Email: Only answer emails at set time of the day. If you are distracted from the task you are currently working on to answer each email as it arrives you will increase the time it takes to complete that task by 50%.
• Household Chores: One of the benefits you could enjoy while working from home is to deal with the household chores throughout the week so you have weekends free to spend with the family. To best utilise your time, schedule the chores and do not use them as a reason to avoid work.
• Procrastination: This particular problem needs a firm boundary. As soon as you realise you are procrastinating, stop and focus back on the work that is important.
• Choose important tasks: Carrying on from the previous tip, make wise choices and choose important tasks not the easy ones.

You need to stay on your toes to get the most from your day when working from home and setting boundaries will help to keep you on track.

By Rachel Ross

Rachael Ross of Purely Peppermint is a home and office organising expert specialising in helping those that work from home. She works with individuals and business by providing bespoke practical solutions for their home office and the issues that arise when being based at home.