Can’t You See I’m Working?

September 14, 2015 | By | 1 Reply More

 

dealing with distractions

Is dealing with distractions keeping you from performing your best while telecommuting? Follow these tips on setting boundaries that work!

 

For many parents, telecommuting may seem like the answer to your prayers. You want to have more time with your kids and greater flexibility, so you take the leap, install a second phone line, and set up an office space.

 

 

Distractions

But the first thing you may discover is that working from home means dealing with  distractions. Children, your spouse, neighbors, and the family dog come and go. They make loud noises, ask for your help, or interrupt to ask a “quick question,” always just long enough to break your concentration.

 

Your family and friends don’t seem to grasp that although you’re home you’re really working. They ask you to run errands, expect you to handle chores, and want to chat on the phone.

 

Even you, when you see the pile of laundry or stack of dishes sitting there waiting, may be tempted to take time out from work to clean up a bit. You’d like to keep your house livable and be available to the people you care about, but it’s just too much for one person to manage. When can you get any work done?

 

 

Set Boundaries

The way out of this dilemma is to set clear boundaries on your space, time, and responsibilities. If your office has a door, try having “open-door” time and “closed-door” time. When your door is open, the kids can come say hello, ask questions, or tell you about their day. When the door is closed, it means “Do Not Disturb.”

 

A good way to explain this to children is to tell them you need some private time, not just that you are busy. If your office doesn’t have a door, you need one! Try to find another place in your home where you can create some private space for at least part of the day.

 

 

See also: Getting Work Done With Kids On School Break

 

 

Be Flexible

Setting regular working hours will help you manage your time better as well as give some guidelines to your family. Build your hours around the family activities that are important to you. If your kids get home at 2:00, for example, set up your work day from 8:30 to 2:00 and 4:00 to 6:00.

 

Your schedule can change each week to allow for your children’s activities, when necessary. Choose how many work hours per week makes sense for you, design a schedule, and post it on your office door. Highlight the open times, and let everyone know that’s when you are available to them.

 

If your family expects you to run errands and handle chores during your work day, it may be time to hold a family meeting. Explain to your children (and remind your spouse) that it may look like mommy or daddy is playing on the computer or chatting on the phone, but this is his or her job, and it contributes to the family’s income.

 

 

Delegate

Start by listing all the jobs that need to be done for the household, and who does them now. Instead of assigning chores, try asking each family member to volunteer for something. If there are lots of tasks left over, be sure to ask if they really need to be done, or done as often. (Dusting, for example, may need to go by the wayside.)

 

If you are doing chores during time you could be making money, consider hiring someone else to clean your house, service the car, or drive the kids to after-school activities.

 

When one of your boundaries gets tested, learn to hold the line. If you give in even once, don’t expect the boundary to hold up. Try making the closed door, posted schedule, or job roster the bad guy instead of yourself.

 

Instead of, “I’m too busy to talk right now — you’ll have to wait,” say, “The door is closed now, would you please come back when it’s open?” When friends phone during work time, ask them to call back after hours. And when someone doesn’t do one of their chores, don’t do it for them. Serving a meal on dirty dishes may seem extreme, but it will get the message across.

 

 

About the Author
Copyright © 2005, C.J. Hayden.  Read more free articles by C.J. Hayden and Frank Traditi or subscribe to the Get Hired NOW! 

 

Your Turn: What are some of the distractions you face as you work from home? What techniques have you found helpful to ensure your position as a telecommuter is a productive one?

 


Are you interested in working in home but don’t know where to find hiring companies? Learn how to find telecommuting jobs with RemoteWork Source!

 

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Category: Family Issues, Productivity

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