Working from home

It can often seem an easy option to work in the comfort of your own home. You save on the additional cost of rent and utilities and have all your little home comforts around you. However, this can sometimes give you more problems than solutions when your household chores, daytime TV and coffee breaks when you choose.

This section is designed to give you plenty of tips on how to effectively work from home without affecting your home life.

It is important for you to separate your work space from everything else. Clear out a room or any space available and allocate that as your office area. This will enable you to identify that as your work and everywhere else as you home life. Once you are in this area you can concentrate on actually doing work without getting too distracted.

By setting targets you can drive yourself to work until you have completed specific tasks. Whether this is doing your financial accounts or writing a business proposal. If you have a clear and achievable goal in mind you are more likely to work until you have completed the task at hand. If you still find this difficult, why not give yourself a treat after you have finished, such as a cup of coffee or a biscuit.

Taking regular breaks will allow you to unwind and relax. It’s important to give yourself time away from your computer to rest your eyes. Take a look at how you are sitting, do you find yourself slumped over your desk with your legs crossed glaring at the screen? If you re-compose yourself, place your feet on the floor and straight up, you’ll feel 100% better for it. Going into another room or even taking the dog a walk will give you some well needed fresh air and exercise to keep to alert and at your best. Some people even find they come up with their best ideas when their not working!

If you don’t want to disclose your home contact details as your workplace, there are lots of Virtual Office services available. These allow you to use professional looking business addresses as your own company address. So you can make your business seem bigger and more established and have the security of not revealing your home address to anyone.

As well as the practicalities of working from home you need to consider the legalities as well. Research into whether you will need insurance, where will your registered address be etc.