When working from home, personal life can spill into work life and vice versa. Following are some tips for keeping work life and home life separate and better organized.
Equip a Home Workspace with a Separate Set of Office Supplies
Whether an office space is a dedicated room of the house, a corner of the bedroom, or half a desk shared with a life partner, make sure it is equipped with all the office supplies needed to make it efficient. This would include items like pens and pencils, stapler, paper clips, envelopes and printer paper, to name a few. These items should be kept exclusively for office use and not shared with family members.Not having supplies within easy reach is the biggest reason for throwing small jobs in a pile to do later. Don't use office scissors for gift wrapping, and don't let Junior use office printer paper for his homework.
An Individualized Organization System Works Best
There is no one way for getting organized. An organized office does not have to mean a clear desk and paperwork deposited in alphabetized file drawers. Some individuals require visual reminders or forget about work stowed away in drawers or binders. In this case a system of labeled bins, stacked manilla folders, or separate file holders that hang on the wall might work better. If the job requires files for each client or customer, file cabinets may be required, but active files and work in progress can still remain on the desk in plain view.
Declutter Regularly
Having said that, it is easy for clutter to accrue on the work desk to the point where it inhibits productivity. At least once per month determine what can be tossed and what can now be filed away. Transfer phone numbers and e-mail addresses jotted on Post-It Notes and envelopes to an address book and throw extra papers in the trash. Drop the coffee mug in the dishwasher, wipe the desk surface, and straighten bookshelves. This will both relieve stress and give a sense of control.
Balancing Work and Family
This takes on new meaning when working from home as some with home offices will find themselves working around the clock––evenings, weekends, and holidays––while others allow family/household matters to encroach on what should be work time.
- Set up a schedule for work, family, and recreation time that fits both work requirements and lifestyle, and stick to it.
- Organizing paperwork for business and home in separate piles or, better yet, in separate rooms will avoid the draw to work on one when the other should take priority.
- Avoid answering personal calls/e-mails/texts during work time and work calls/e-mails/texts during personal time.
- When deadlines loom explain the need for extra time to family members––especially children––and whenever possible schedule post-deadline "special" family and alone time.
Nannette Croce - Nannette Croce is a writer and editor who has worked with online publications for more than ten years, most recently as Co-Managing Editor ...
