Home Hell?

For anyone who has to punch a time clock and spend the day under florescent lighting, the idea of working from home may seem like heaven. But this topic has stirred up a lot of controversy; it might be a case of “be careful what you ask for.” Those who have actually made this migration have differing opinions.

After viewing evidence from all sides, I have come to this conclusion: Working at home is an experience unique to every individual. Success or failure depends on two distinct factors: 1) your personal temperament and 2) your home environment.

First, what kind of person are you? Do you have problems keeping boundaries? If so, you may have problems. A recent study on telecommunication workers at a large company showed that working from home increased mental and physical fatigue for those who were already having problems balancing work and family. When you are home, everyone seems to assume you are available. If you can’t say no, this is a brain draining juggle.

Do you have a difficult time maintaining self-discipline? If so, you may do better to remain in a setting where someone else is helping to set goals and keep track of time. If left to your own devices, you are more likely to spend an entire morning glued to your Xbox.

If you are a responsible adult who is good at maintaining boundaries and capable of managing your own time, you are probably capable of managing a home office pretty well, unless…

This brings us to the second factor: What kind of environment is your home? Do you live in a small apartment with a stay-at-home roommate and three screeching cats? Do you have a partner, a baby and two toddlers running amok? If so, working from home could turn into a nightmare no matter what your temperament. Conversely, if you have tons of space, peace and quiet, working from home could result in the loss of your job if you are a space cadet by nature.

There’s no cut and dried answer to whether working from home can work for you, but here are some tips that can make it more likely to succeed.

Don’t get emotional and shriek like a banshee if everyone is interrupting you. Use common sense; it’s a lot more effective. The people around you take their cues from you. If you set no boundaries and lay down no rules, it is natural for others to assume you don’t have any. I suggest posting your office hours on the nearest doorway, and, in big bold letters: THE OFFICE IS OPEN. Make sure that the rules of operation are clearly defined so that you don’t have to constantly explain them. And keep these rules yourself! Do not wander into the kitchen and begin putting away the dishes when the office is clearly OPEN. It sends the wrong message to everyone else.

Make a schedule! An office manager does this, now it’s your job. Post goals and mark them off when you accomplish them. Start every day knowing what you hope to accomplish and when. If you don’t keep track, no one else will.

Establish a regular exercise program as part of your regime.This is something that everyone who sits in a chair should do, no matter what their age or weight. The biggest advantage of working at home is that if you want to work out in the afternoon and then get back to work after dinner, you can. A home office is not a 9 to 5 cage. And if you happen to be home alone, don’t turn the situation into a different kind of cage by falling into an anti-social slump. One of the biggest problems faced by people who work in isolation is depression. Regular physical activity is as good a preventative as pharmaceuticals.

One last thing — keep your personal phone separate from your professional line. Don’t pick up when you are working.You can’t answer it. You’re at work.

So, should you work out of your home or stay at the office? You need to take an honest look at your life in order to find the answer. For some, getting away to a separate work environment is a blessing. They need distance from family, or to be part of a work community, in order to do their best. For others, being at home, and just knowing loved ones are near, is an important comfort that makes all else worthwhile.

We can all find ways to better craft our own lives. The choice is ours. Let’s choose wisely.