Setting Limits When You Work at Home

In 2012, I will be focusing more frequently on the logistics and challenges of working at home. I’ve been doing it for more than six years, working part or full time at home (sometimes with an office job thrown in the mix).

If you want to frustrate me, call me up on a busy, lots-of-deadlines day, ask me to do something that day and then then I politely decline say, “But you work at home! You have time!” While it’s true that working at home is a lot more flexible than office working, there are still deadlines, meetings, conference calls and work to be attended to. And on deadline days, meeting those is paramount.

Working at home, contrary to popular belief, isn’t a carte blanche to fool around online and watch soap operas all day. It’s a challenging work-style that requires will power and determination. You still have a job to do — even if it doesn’t come with set hours and a compact cubicle.

Here’s how to successfully set limits — while also enjoying the benefits of the freelance life.

Setting Limits

Where do you work? I don’t mean home versus the coffee shop (though the coffee shop is a great place to escape to when you need a change of scenery). When you work from home, it’s absolutely imperative that you set limits on when and where you work. For instance, it might be tempting to curdle up in bed on a cold and dreary day, but do you really want to bring your office to your bedroom? Probably not. Instead, designate a dedicated workspace and go there — even if the commute is a mere 10 steps.

Having that dedicated space also allows you to keep your work supplies organized away from the rest of your life — which is important for maintaining the office/life separation.

Scheduling

One of the great benefits of working at home is the ability to set your own schedule and work when you want — which doesn’t necessarily have to be traditional hours. Still, you do need to designate some work hours so that you have work time and personal time — work time should never take over your life.

To successfully schedule your work time, look realistically at what makes you happiest during the day and plan around that. For instance, I prefer to have coffee and tidy the kitchen a little before getting to work, so I try to avoid ever scheduling anything work-related before 9 am. I also like a midday break, so I schedule that in as well.

Working at home is more flexible, but you still need to be productive. By using the flexibility to schedule yourself to work during your most productive times (and scheduling breaks in your most unproductive ones), your performance will be tip-top.

Enjoying the Life

One of the best parts of being a freelancer is that you can choose when, where and how you work. You can also — when deadlines aren’t looming — be spontaneous. The freelance life can become overwhelmed if you focus solely on work. Don’t do it.

Meet your deadlines. Be accurate and speedy. But also take time away from the computer and enjoy life. Take extended breaks when you want to. Go hiking. Take an afternoon to window shop. Whatever it is that makes you smile, do it. Allow yourself — even when you have so much work — to stop for a little and take breathers. It will make you a better freelancer in the end.

What limits are hardest for you to set?

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