When you choose to work from home, you have to know what you’re getting yourself into.
For sure, working from home has its major perks and for many of those who try it, it becomes a new way of life. However, not everyone has the same luck. Some people find it to be harder than they thought, and one of the main challenges is a plethora of distractions.
Have you ever tried working from home? If so, which distraction did you find the hardest to deal with?
No working method is perfect. Even if you work in a contemporary office you’re going to be distracted in some way. People will move from office desk to desk, people will talk whilst you’re trying to concentrate, and collaborating around the modern boardroom tables can sometimes turn into a free for all. However, it’s about choosing the working method which suits you best.
If you’re thinking about working from a home office desk in the near future, or perhaps you are already, it’s important to know what distractions may come your way. By understanding this, you can work out how to avoid pitfalls and work towards home working success.
Let’s look at the top 5 distractions that home working is traditionally associated with.
Visitors to Your Home
It’s very likely that from time to time one of your friends or family members will pop around for a coffee simply because they know you’re there. This is one of the most difficult distractions to overcome, because you don’t want to offend or upset anyone but you have work to do!
Making it clear to friends and family members that you’re working and during what times is the first step, but some people find they end up deactivating their door bell, just so they can focus and not be distracted! It might sound a little harsh but at the end of the day - you’re working.
Choosing to do The Household Chores
When you have a pile of ironing to do or you want to try a new recipe out, it’s very easy to allow yourself to become distracted and turn to that instead. Procrastination is not going to help you in your work, so it’s best to focus completely on work during your set working hours and then do the other things you need or want to do when you’re not working. You need to be a little strict with yourself here.
The Lure of Daytime TV
If you’re a fan of daytime TV, do not turn the TV on whilst you’re working or before you start work! You’ll only end up carrying on watching it when you should be working and having it on in the background is always going to distract you from what you’re doing.
If you really don’t want to miss something, record it!
Regularly Checking Social Media
When you work in an office you’re unlikely to spend a large amount of time checking your social media feeds, because you have a manager watching you! When you’re at home, you don’t have this. So, to avoid regularly checking in on Facebook, turn off the motivations on your phone and don’t have websites open on your browser. You can always check on your breaks.
Taking Extended Breaks
The fact that you don’t have your manager watching you means that you may take extended breaks, either intentionally or unintentionally. It could also be that you don’t have as much structure as you’re used to and this can also lead to letting things slip a little. Be focused on your work and take regular breaks within your routine. Regular short breaks are better than less regular long breaks, but make sure that when the timer rings, you go back to work.