How To Work At Home part 2: The Daily Grind

Hopefully, by following my instructions, you've avoided the first pitfalls involved in working from home. You've settled into a nice routine, your work is fulfilling and productive, and your office is seperate from your home (even though they're difficult to tell apart some times).

As time goes on, there are some other pitfalls you'll need to navigate around. Because of the isolated nature of your office, you're going to be using technology to communicate with your clients and co-workers. The same technology you probably use to communicate with friends and family. Just because you have your cell phone does not mean you're working. Just because you're at your computer does not mean you're working. Make a concious effort to avoid checking your work e-mail evenings and weekends. Your sanity will thank you.

This goes double for when you're sick. Yes, you're at home. Yes, you're not more than 40 feet from your computer or phone. Yes, you could do a little work. No, you shouldn't give in to the temptation. Don't let the feeling that you'll "get behind" if you don't work today. Get better. You aren't going to do anything good while you're sick, so don't try. You'll just stay sick. Make getting better your job.

This goes triple for when you're on vacation. You're on vacation for a reason, to recharge. You may be at home, you may be halfway around the world with your laptop. Do not do work while you are on vacation. Relax. Doing work is not relaxing, it's doing work.

Make sure to take that vacation when you need it. Even if you're just going to spend the time at home, spend it away from work. Play with a personal project, or just lounge around in your pajamas all day (the difference being you're on vacation, not doing work).

While you may spend most of your day sitting in your extremely comfortable and expensive chair, you must remember to make time to be active. Exercise lowers your stress levels, improves your sleep, and improves your appearance (which also lowers your stress levels). It's also fun and can be a good way to be social.

Even though you're working from home, you should treat your job as you would any other job. Work belongs in work time, if you're sick take a sick day, when you're on vacation you're not doing work (even if you're in you're office), and make sure to find some way to keep yourself active. With these ideas in mind, you can conquer your stress levels and make the most of your work-at-home.