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Five Ways to Set Boundaries Between Work and Your Personal Life

Working at home can cause a number of problems with regard to workers having to integrate work and domestic responsibilities in one arena. Because there is not a physical removal from your domestic situation when you begin work, it is essential that you care for your work time and space, otherwise chaos in the home workplace environment is quite common. There are five simple ways to set boundaries between work and your personal life while working at home.

The first way to set a boundary is through adequate and accurate communication. Because working at home is often confused with being at home, your work must be a family effort. It is essential to communicate with every member of the family, including children, the boundary of your work time and space. It can be difficult for children to understand that you aren't available even though you're sitting right there at your desk or at the computer. As a result, it is very important that you talk with them to help them learn respect for your time and space boundaries with regard to your job. The best way to do this is to communicate limitations as early as possible. Create rules and any reminders, like posters or signs that might help the children understand your work needs. Spouses can also misunderstand your needs. Be sure to effectively discuss your work hours with them so they know you are off limits during that time to run errands or help them with their tasks as well.

Another way to set an effective boundary is by setting limits for your self. You can start by setting a rigid work schedule. Not only do you need to set a work time, but you also have to stick with it without fail. It might be helpful to publicize your work hours on your website, in your newsletter, or find some other way of letting your clients and bosses know when you will and will not be working. It is also essential that your family understand your schedule. This will help keep them from interfering with your work time. You might also consider setting limits with regard to distractions you know you are likely to face.

For example, if your teenager is constantly playing his stereo too loudly during your work hours, set a no television or stereo rule during your posted hours. If you are likely to work on laundry instead of meeting your deadline, set the limit for yourself that you will not leave your office once you have entered. Moreover, it might be worthwhile to have a few things on hand in your office like a mini fridge stocked with water so you won't have to leave your office to get a drink. Leaving your office might distract you from your work tasks at hand.

Setting effective boundaries can also mean setting physical and mental boundaries. The first way to do this is to consider your ideal office space. If the space available in your home works with this, make it happen. If it does not, adapt your space. Many folks who work from home simply do not have the space for a private office. Lots of people share a common room, a section of a bedroom, or another area that is used for a variety of purposes in the home. If you can't have a closed office, it is important to make the space functional for you. Some of the best home offices aren't private, but make excellent use of items like shelving, plants, and curtains to make their office space feel more like an office. If you are lucky enough to have an office, be sure that it has a door. Also be sure that you communicate with your family that a closed door means you cannot be disturbed.

A fourth way to set an effective boundary is to minimize phone interruptions. You can do this by screening your calls with an answering machine, purchasing a second line or a cellular phone, or investing in a software program that helps you decide whether to terminate your dial-up connection to take a phone call.

One final way to set an effective boundary is learn to say no. If you need someone to call you back during your leisure time, say so. This is also true of a client who needs something during your leisure time.