How to Work from Home With Children
Set hours of work., Work during work hours., Set a schedule., Don’t answer the home phone (unless it is also the work phone), let the answering machine get it., Have a designated work area., Inform family and friends., Get dressed., Pay back time...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Set hours of work.
Decide when you will and will not work and stick to it (most of the time).
Just as if you were at work have a time to start and a time to finish. -
Step 2: Work during work hours.
However tempting it may be, don't hang out a load of washing or make that quick call to your mum.
It is too easy to get distracted and you end up having a day where nothing is achieved. , Like a school timetable, assign different aspects of your job a time period to work on them.
For instance; Monday morning might be accounting; time to pay all the bills and chase outstanding debts, Wednesday afternoon might be follow up calls to clients and Friday night when the kids are in bed might be answering all those non urgent emails. , If you have a separate work line get a separate phone with a distinctive ring. , If you don't have the space to set up a separate room, set up a desk and everything else you need in a workable spot, like a corner of the dining room.
See if you can get a screen to cover the area when work is done. , Tell them that yes you will be home, but you will be working and while you love their company, just as they couldn’t just drop in on you in a normal office, they can't do it when you work from home either. , While for some this is the ultimate motivation to working at home, not needing to dress to impress, some people find it is easier to get into work mode if they are dressed rather than in their "jammies". , If you need to work instead of doing family things in order to meet a deadline, try to pay that time back when things are quieter, this way the family understands that work is important, but also that they are important too! , working from home can mean it is hard to say no to work or projects and you end up working long hours to complete assignments.
Know what your limits are and stick to them, especially in the beginning. , With work there at home, it can be hard to switch off.
If you find it hard to switch off at the end of the day, try doing non-urgent work for the last half hour, or going for a walk to clear your head. -
Step 3: Set a schedule.
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Step 4: Don’t answer the home phone (unless it is also the work phone)
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Step 5: let the answering machine get it.
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Step 6: Have a designated work area.
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Step 7: Inform family and friends.
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Step 8: Get dressed.
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Step 9: Pay back time.
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Step 10: Learn when to say no.
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Step 11: Learn how to turn off.
Detailed Guide
Decide when you will and will not work and stick to it (most of the time).
Just as if you were at work have a time to start and a time to finish.
However tempting it may be, don't hang out a load of washing or make that quick call to your mum.
It is too easy to get distracted and you end up having a day where nothing is achieved. , Like a school timetable, assign different aspects of your job a time period to work on them.
For instance; Monday morning might be accounting; time to pay all the bills and chase outstanding debts, Wednesday afternoon might be follow up calls to clients and Friday night when the kids are in bed might be answering all those non urgent emails. , If you have a separate work line get a separate phone with a distinctive ring. , If you don't have the space to set up a separate room, set up a desk and everything else you need in a workable spot, like a corner of the dining room.
See if you can get a screen to cover the area when work is done. , Tell them that yes you will be home, but you will be working and while you love their company, just as they couldn’t just drop in on you in a normal office, they can't do it when you work from home either. , While for some this is the ultimate motivation to working at home, not needing to dress to impress, some people find it is easier to get into work mode if they are dressed rather than in their "jammies". , If you need to work instead of doing family things in order to meet a deadline, try to pay that time back when things are quieter, this way the family understands that work is important, but also that they are important too! , working from home can mean it is hard to say no to work or projects and you end up working long hours to complete assignments.
Know what your limits are and stick to them, especially in the beginning. , With work there at home, it can be hard to switch off.
If you find it hard to switch off at the end of the day, try doing non-urgent work for the last half hour, or going for a walk to clear your head.
About the Author
Frank Young
Creates helpful guides on lifestyle to inspire and educate readers.
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