Ironically, thanks to downsizing and a steady stream of layoffs over the course of the last two decades, workers all over the world have had to think fast on their feet and come up with an alternate plan for survival, like working from home in situations such as telecommuting, working on a freelance basis, or as an independent contractor. And now, with the ease and availability of the internet, having a virtual office or setting up shop for yourself right at home is a real possibility for many people.

Working in one’s own home definitely has its distinct advantages, however, there are also several practical issues to consider in order to truly be successful in your endeavors. Factors such as productivity, discipline, motivation, and whether or not you’ll be able to actually make the transition to being your own boss, so to speak, all come into play when you have the option of working from home.

For most people, their work and their personal lives are two completely different entities, separated not only by space, but also by time, as the daily commute is an average of 25 minutes each direction. Even if your previous commute was only 15 minutes, one half hour saved each and every day by working from home is equal to having one entire 10 hour day off over the course of every month based on a 40 hour work week. A whole extra day of time to use anyway you like.

However, without the proper planning, setting certain guidelines, and adhering to a workable schedule, it’s incredibly easy for many people to find themselves getting less and less done while quickly becoming overwhelmed in the process.

How to Avoid the Common Pitfalls of Working At Home

Having the right mindset is imperative when owning your own small business or when working from home. Making the necessary psychological adjustments are one of the top complaints people have in regards to making the transition from working outside of the home to having a 10 second commute to the den.

Here are four other important issues to consider when working from inside the home:

- Dressing the Part: You may have heard of white or blue-collar workers, and now a third term has been coined to describe those of us who work from home, “open-collar workers,” used in reference to the freedom one has to dress as they wish, often donning the unofficial work at home uniform, t-shirts and sweatpants or jeans. Surprisingly, the clothing we wear often has a direct impact on how productive we are, and many people find it helpful to actually dress as if they were still heading to the office, complete with shoes. If it helps, act as if you are really heading out the door to work instead of down the hall or wherever your workspace may be, and get into a routine that you are able to follow faithfully each day.

- Motivation and Discipline: Self-motivation and discipline are both imperative when working from home. With no one looking over your shoulder, or no time-clock to punch, it can be very easy to allow yourself more and more leeway to be lackadaisical with your work obligations. Practice self-discipline and set mini-goals for yourself throughout the day, as you complete certain tasks, allowing yourself a break to regroup before moving on to tackle the next issue.

- Setting a Schedule: Much like motivation and discipline, setting a schedule, and following it, is crucial when working from home, whether you’re your own boss, or you’re still working for someone else. In the best case scenario, working during the hours your children are at school or while your spouse is away at their job leaves you free to spend the rest of your leisure time with the family.

- Support: A common complaint from those who work from home, especially when running their own small business, is the lack of support and respect from others while working. Asking for help should never be seen as a weakness, but rather as a sure sign of strength, as well as portraying the wisdom to know that one person isn’t possibly able to do everything involved with running an entire household and business from home on their own.
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