9 Rules To Follow If You Work From Home

Working from home is a great option to ensure that you don’t get sucked in a monotonous job that requires long hours and pays inadequate compensation. For a lot of people, especially those with families and young children, it means being able to structure their working hours according to what works for them and being more present in the lives of those that matter the most.

But there are also some pitfalls that you need to avoid when you make the decision to start working from home. Productivity is the number one thing that suffers, as an office environment is geared to maximize this. Being in the comfort of your own home may trigger your sense of ease, making you feel lethargic.

The good thing is that you can ensure that you’re making the best out of the opportunity by taking just a few steps. Read on to find out 9 rules you need to follow if you work from home, to make sure that you have the best work/life balance – that elusive thing that seems like it’s always unreachable!

1. Set Boundaries

Working from home gives you the freedom to choose your hours, but this can also mean that you slip into negative habits like working long hours in the evening or waking up at noon to start work. The best thing to do would be to set clear boundaries for yourself, defining the hours in which you are supposed to work and when you’re not. Not only will this prevent you from overworking yourself, it will also make sure that you don’t waste time.

2. Stock Up on Healthy Treats

Most offices have snacks stacked in their pantries to ensure their employees stay energized throughout the day. Since your home is your office and you are your own manager, you need to be the one to do this.

Make sure your kitchen is stocked with tasty and healthy treats – otherwise you’ll find yourself ordering fast food when that hunger pang hits. And if you live in a house with small children/other distractions, just keep these snacks in your desk drawer in your office room.