3 Tips for Work/Life Balance When You Work from Home

Today’s entrepreneurs are ditching the traditional office space and giving their employees the freedom to work from home. Even CEOs of companies that have a traditional home base are starting to allow employees to work from home when life gets in the way of a traditional 9-5 workday. As the line between professional life and personal life gets grayer, more and more people are finding it difficult to maintain work/life balance. 

How do you balance life and work when working from home? I have been working in and out of my house for a little over a year and to be honest I’m still asking myself the same question. Although I may not have it all figured out, here are three of my work/life balance tips that can help you be effective and efficient when working from home.

Tip 1: Schedule your workday around life’s necessary events.

I’m the mom of a very active five-year-old boy. Juggling office responsibilities and my son’s ever-changing events schedule can pose a challenge at times. When situations occur where I have to be in two places at once (e.g. at the office and at a school function), I tend to schedule a work-from-home day. I have found that the hour I save driving to and from work gives me the option to attend a special school event without losing time at the office. I simply start an hour earlier and adjust my schedule to fit his events into my day. With some strategic planning, I am able to still complete my work and be present for my son. It’s every working mom’s best-laid plan.

Tip 2: Discipline is important when you are working from home.

Working from home takes a lot of discipline and self-control. Anyone who spends enough time at home knows that you will always find things to do around the house. The laundry basket is piling up, the floors look like they need a good mopping, the closet needs to be organized, etc. When you are working from home and start to lack motivation, your mind can shift to chores around the house instead of the work that needs to be done for your clients or customers. When this happens, schedule an hour (your lunch break) to focus on what needs to be done around the house so it doesn’t drive you crazy, but then get right back to work. Being able to work from home is a privilege so don’t take advantage of it by brushing your workday aside for chores.

Tip 3: Create your ideal workspace.

There are two types of work-from-home professional: the type who works from home on occasion like me and the type whose full-time careers or businesses run out of their house. Depending on your work style, it’s best to test various locations throughout the house that help you stay productive. For some, a home office is a necessity, while others work best curled up on their couch. Once you figure out what helps you stay most productive, you will be able to bring more balance into both your work and your life. 

Balancing work life and home life is becoming harder and harder, and as more companies start to allow remote work, more people will need to learn how to find work/life balance. But as long as you master your schedule, develop a little self-discipline and create your own workspace, you can set yourself up for success.

Biana Lerman, Account Executive
Elevate My Brand