Work from Home – Keep an Office

I love working from home and will always believe it to be one of the best decisions I have made. But when I compare and contrast my productivity here at the house to that of my old office; well, some days are better than others.

Distractions are everywhere at the home! Good distractions, mostly, but still distractions. My 8 month old son wants to walk, personal emails come through, Facebook needs an update, and then there’s the phone. Yes, working from home certainly has many benefits, but the biggest drawback is the distraction factor.

Quiet spot…sorta

I have the luxury of an extra room that serves as an office. I know not everyone has that kind of space, but a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle of the home is important. Some people, like me, get a lot of energy and creativity out of the activity of other people. Balance is still necessary.

As much as I hate to miss anything, if I don’t work, then we don’t eat! So, a quiet spot where I can focus is important.

Going solo

Another method that I have found to be effective is to work when everyone else is busy with something else. For example, sleeping. When the family sleeps, I get the most work done by far! I’m a night owl, so that works well for me.

You can also break away to the local coffee shop to get away. A little WiFi and some fresh air never hurt anyone anyway.

Some tips for making an office at home

Here are a few principles that I have found to be helpful:

Ground rules – set some ground rules with the family about where you work. Communication goes a long way in getting everyone on the same page.
Set a schedule – try to have a general schedule that you keep. When you work at random times it can be confusing for the family.
Be consistent – stick to the plan as consistently as possible. Children especially need clear patterns and boundaries, so the more consistent you are the better.
Get a groove – get some headphones or some small speakers and turn up the music. Music is proven to improve productivity, plus it will drown out distractions.
Experiment with lighting – you might be surprised at how much light will affect you. I like either very bright sunlight or dark.
Get comfortable – don’t hesitate to invest in a comfortable office chair. A poor seat can cause back aches and general discomfort (i.e. – a distraction).

It’s your office! You can set it up however you like. Just remember to get the family on the same page, be consistent, and set up a room/space where you can focus…and have fun!

What have you found to help?

What have you found to be the biggest distractions?