The idea of working from home stems for the desire for freedom. right? I mean people hate the 9-5 jobs because they feel they don't own their life, they think being an entrepreneur means having enough time to themselves and loved ones..
Meanwhile, serial entrepreneurs are usually more caught up in their business than the regular 9-5 worker, so caught up that the freedom becomes unrealistic or a nightmare if care is not taken. On the other hand, some other entrepreneurs find it difficult to keep distractions away, they get so intoxicated in the freedom that they procrastinate, there by pilling up so much workloads for themselves that the idea of freedom becomes a nightmare because they have to constantly be on their toes to make up for lost times..
In this new year, I know most of us have plans for our business and careers, but keep in mind that there should be a balance in everything including our careers. Learn how to balance your work and your life, so that you won't neglect your loved ones and even yourself. Learn to focus not only on your career but also your personal life, and these are ways you can achieve that...
The first step to achieving anything is setting goals.. Set a work and life goals, this should include when to spend a special time with family or loved ones, might be a weekend off. Evaluate your life and plan your work life accordingly, if you are married with kids, working from home could be more challenging, so set goals that will allow you give time to your family. These goals will ensure that you give necessary attention to both your work and personal life.
If you are working in the office, you'll have your own working space right?.. So apply that at home as well.. Create a space for your work.. It could a different room, or a corner of your bedroom. Set up your table and computer and any other equipment you use. This will help you position your mind anytime you want to work.
Now the freedom! being free as an entrepreneur doesn't necessarily mean you can roll in and out of bed anytime you want. If that is your habit, then you are on your ways to doomsday. You'll end up not achieving much and pilling up bills. Create a routine, it should be regular and it should include your work hours, breakfast hour and any other activity. Following your routine strictly, will enhance your productivity, endeavor to be at you working desk or room at your work hours just as you would if you were in an organisation.
Now that you have a specific work time, be dedicated to it.. This means protecting your time from any other activity that doesn't relate or promote your work.. If you want to be really productive and you want to achieve a lot within that time, then turn down any event or activity after all, you are your own boss.. Any other activity should be done after work hours, that's the usefulness of creating a routine..
Now, that you have set up your work and personal life goals. Endeavor to switch off your mind from work when it is time for your personal life. Since you work from home, it can be tempting to work extra hours, it is not bad though but it shouldn't be done at the expense of your personal life. So while creating your routine, put an activity immediately after your work hours, that way you will be forced to switch off your computer when it's time.
Keep in mind that there are times when you have to work extra hours, it is unavoidable as an entrepreneur. No matter how much you create a routine, some important things can come up, it may be your child's graduation or rehearsals, that will take your working hours and force you to work overtime. It is a flexibility that comes with working from home, you don't have to seek permission from your boss to do important things in your life, so enjoy the freedom. How ever these methods listed above is to enable you develop a positive balance between your work and personal life. So that working or playing extra time won't become a habit..
I wish us all a successful year ahead,,
Thanks for reading..