Remote working is wonderful for many. Home-based employees can enjoy more of their lives without commutes and enjoy subsequent savings.
That said, remote working can lead to problems for some workers if their work-life balance isn’t sufficiently managed. After all, people can overthink work at the best of times, having troubling thoughts that keep them awake at ungodly hours. These problems can be magnified if one works and sleeps in the same property.
Therefore, remote workers should take extra care when maintaining their work-life balance. Here are some tips that might help with those challenges.
Reroute Your Mail
Every business needs regular mail for important documents and notices. Keeping up with this admin is mandatory.
Once you’re off the clock, your home needs to be a place of fun and rest. If the letterbox is working overtime with corporate matters, it can break through the zen you rightfully deserve and stop you from switching off properly.
You can reroute your mail with a trusting virtual mail service. For example, it could go to this Wilmington, DE, business address instead of your door. The professionals there can then scan your mail, and you can view it digitally via an app whenever’s convenient for you. There’s unlimited storage and no contracts, so you can cancel anytime. Whether you need a Delaware virtual business address or another elsewhere, this is a great way to separate work life from home life.
Define Working Conditions
It’s often said that one of the perks of working from home is wearing pyjamas all day or even skipping the morning shower. While there’s no real harm in occasionally having a cheat day on that level, it’s better to establish a more robust approach to working.
Adopt the same morning routine that you would if you were working in an office. While it might seem pointless initially, it’s a great way to get yourself in the professional mindset and remind you where your focus should be for hours ahead. You may also feel more eager to take work calls if you’re well-dressed.
Make your office a distinct and private space. Soundproof the walls with foam panels, add a lock to the door and install curtains and blinds to keep out natural light when needed. Moving your mail elsewhere is one thing, but your work environment needs to be immaculate, influencing you into a more productive state of mind.
Schedule Personal Errands
The pendulum can swing the other way, too. After all, some employees may spend more time on personal errands when remote working rather than the tasks they’re being paid to do.
These problems can get so big that workers are dishonest about how much time they spend working, leading to another series of complications. Suspicions can arise, tensions can be fuelled with the boss, and you can spend your entire working life playing catch-up when really you should be ahead.
Schedule personal errands responsibly. If you must attend an appointment, inform your superior and set aside that time under mutual understanding. Anything non-urgent can wait until after the working day, helping you to stay disciplined and not push your luck. Though, if you want to spend some of your lunch breaks tending to a few chores, that’s fine.
How To Create A Home Office That Improves Work/Life Balance this infographic was contributed by Synergy Builders, the leading contractor in Barrington
