The pros and cons of working from home: a small business perspective
Working from home: a dream come true or a potential pitfall?
It sounds like a dream come true … no commute, no dress code and the comfort of your own space.
But the reality isn't always as glamorous as it sounds… if you’re not careful.
Balancing productivity with the comforts of home can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you’re new to running your business. But, it doesn’t have to be!
Here are some key things to get the most out of working from home as a business owner.
The tricky part with working from home is that the same things we consider PROS can also be CONS!!
Flexibility
PRO: You can set your own schedule, take as many breaks as you want and work at your own pace.
CON: If you're not disciplined this can lead to procrastination or over working because you can work until whatever time you want. Needy clients can take advantage of this if you’re not careful!
Cost savings
PRO: No more commuting costs and you might save money on lunches and work clothes.
CON: Or spend more on Amazon… 😂🤣
Being alone
PRO: No more annoying coworkers dropping by to chat about the cute thing their cat did. Just you, alone to get sh!t done.
CON: Working from home can be lonely, and you might miss out on the social interactions that come with a traditional office. Water cooler gossip has always been a waste of time to me but now it has never sounded so appealing.
Freedom
PRO: Want to do laundry in the middle of the day you can! Check your IG? You can do that too! Spend time with your family? That’s an option too!
CON: If you’re not careful, freedom can become a distraction. Too much social media, interruptions. “Yes, dear, I see the dog is doing something cute again, but I’m on a Zoom call.”
Tips to set yourself up for productivity (to get more pros and less cons
1. Create boundaries
It's important to set clear work hours to create a routine and keep a good balance between work and personal time. You may LOVE what you do now, but I PROMISE you if you don’t set boundaries now, you WILL burn out.
Look at the bigger picture first: what time do you want to start your work day? What time do you want to be done working for the day? What days are you going to work?
Then look at the daily things: when do you get antsy and need a break? When are you the most productive - maybe block that off for focused time. When are the best times to schedule calls?
Knowing how you function and the best times to do things, allows you to create working boundaries so you protect your own time while giving your clients attention.
Break big tasks into smaller steps. Block out specific times for different tasks to stay focused and avoid multitasking. Include time for admin tasks, meetings and creative work. Cut down on distractions by turning off notifications during work times and setting up a dedicated workspace. Finally, regularly review and tweak your schedule to stay productive.
Here are some examples of my boundaries:
I start work at 9:00am
I finish work at 5:00pm
I take 1 hour for lunch
I don’t work weekends
I don’t work holidays
I have my notifications turned off
I take FIVE weeks of vacation every year - 2 in February, 1 in August and 2 in November
Boundaries help add some structure so you don’t take flexibility too far, so the people around you know your work schedule and it helps minimize distractions because you know when work time is and when you’ll have time for other things (and more freedom because you got everything done!)
2. Develop routines
You have boundaries… but now you need to stick to them! You need them to become habits. Just part of how you function.
One of the most important routines is your morning routine to help get into the working mindset.
One great way to kickstart a productive day is to treat your morning like you’re going to the office.
Wake up at the same time
Eat breakfast/have coffee
Shower & get dressed (yes... get out of those PJs… at least put on your work pair of PJs)
Go to your desk at your “start time”
This signals to your brain that it’s work time, not chill time.
Take Olivia, for example. She used to start her day with a trip to Starbucks, but after they changed her favourite coffee, she decided to make it at home. Little did she know, her Starbucks routine was about more than just the caffeine. The act of leaving the house, getting fresh air and interacting with people, even briefly, helped set her day up for success.
A routine helps put your brain into autopilot. You know when it’s time to get sh!t done because you started your day off right. It gets you focused and in the zone so distractions, flexibility and freedom become the thing you look forward to - not the thing that’s causing you stress.
3. Take breaks
This seems simple… you’ve set boundaries, you have a routine… taking a break is a no brainer…
BUT IT ISN’T.
I promise you.
As a business owner it is SO easy to get into get sh!t done mode and lose track of time. Next thing you know HOURS have past, you haven’t eaten and you still have a giant list.
So PLEASE… make sure you take breaks.
You may have put some breaks into your schedule, but it’s also important to notice signs it’s time to take a break.
You may start feeling tired, irritated, angry, lose focus or feel stiff from sitting too long. Be aware of your signs.
Take the dog for a quick walk, do some light stretches or start dinner prep. Whatever you need to get your mind and body relaxed.
If you have a social media problem - I recommend NOT looking at your apps during your break or you may get sucked in and not go back to work. I wait until I'm done working for the day to scroll… (I’m not joking, you can do it too!).
Breaks are ESSENTIAL. You are not a robot. You cannot push through. You need to take time for yourself so that you can ENJOY what you do not become a big ball of overworked stress.
There are a ton of other things you can do to get the most out of your work from home life
Make sure you have a designated work space - this will allow you to “go” to work each day and “leave”
Find reasons to leave the house so you interact with other people
Coworking group
Get coffee
Go for a walk with a neighbour
Turn off your notifications and only check them during designated times
Don’t force yourself to just sit at the computer because you’re supposed to… live your life.
The fine line between comfort and chaos
Working from home can be super rewarding if you have the right mindset and a setup that works for you.
It's all about finding your balance.
Whether you're in sweats or dressed up, make sure you're setting yourself up for a productive day.
Remember, it's not just where you work, but how you tackle your day and create a space that keeps you productive and feeling good.
