Have you ever dealt with the misconception that if you work from home, you don’t really work? We’ve all heard it. “Must be nice to be paid to stay home and do nothing.” That can be the furthest thing from the truth. Traditionally, you leave the office and work stays there. When you work from home, it’s easy to create blurred lines instead of a set boundary.
How do we separate the two worlds when they are in the same area?
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Set a Firm Stop Time
First, make sure you have a “hard stop” time. If your work day ends at 5 pm, make sure you have everything wrapped up prior to 5 pm. Then at that time, instead of just locking your screen, do a full shut down. This may make you less inclined to continue working on a specific project or task. Most people, myself included, have just as busy of a work day as people in a physical office, so a hard stop helps my mental health so I’m not always “working” and can focus on my personal life.
One Thing at a Time
Secondly, try not to conquer both worlds at the same time. During a work day, you get a lunch time and a break or two. While you could do laundry, dishes, or any household chore, it should be used to enjoy a nice lunch or have a moment of rest. While doing two jobs every day simultaneously seems like a good idea, it can easily mix both worlds and create burnout. If you occasionally swap some laundry or do a small task, that’s okay! Just don’t make it a daily habit to always do it.
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Set Boundaries with Family
Lastly, working from home can, hopefully, help build patience! Family members may have a habit of “popping in” to ask a question or just chat. Placing a sticky note on your door that reads “In a meeting” or “Swamped” can help deter them (for a moment at least).
Working from home has pros and cons, but remember to try and separate both worlds to the best of your ability. This will help you avoid the question: Do I live at work or work from home?
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