The appeal of working in a business environment that allows telecommuting is one that reaches many members of the workforce, but there are a few disadvantages to being an autonomous worker. In order to be the most productive when working from home, individuals need to be aware of the best practices as well as the biggest distractions to avoid.
The advantages of being able to work from home include improving a work-life balance, having professional flexibility and eliminating a stressful commute, The Globe and Mail reports. However, there are several distractions that occur in the home that can make it hard to focus on the task at hand.
According to a survey of those who utilize the option of telecommuting, 60 per cent of people reported children or other family members wanting attention as the biggest distraction. Other common problems included the inability to access proper equipment, the urge to do household chores while home and the desire to watch television.
Those who want to make the most of their time at home can increase their productivity by creating a routine and official work space. Doing this can set up strict divisions between work and personal life, allowing an individual to accomplish their tasks without others unknowingly interrupting. Establishing these good habits early can help make the time spent at home more productive.
"To avoid situations where teleworkers aren't putting in the necessary time, managers need to be clear about expectations and establish daily objectives," Rosemary Haefner, a vice president at CareerBuilder, told Employee Benefit News. "The autonomy of working from home can be very rewarding so long as it doesn't diminish productivity."
Haefner also recommends keeping a normal routine, planning specific breaks and finding ways of staying connected to colleagues in order to increase efficiency. By setting goals and parameters for time spent at home, individuals can do their best to stay on track and be productive without getting distracted by family members, media or errands.
Being a part of a startup company or starting a business can be a tremendously rewarding experience, but individuals have to be able to put in the necessary work. Those considering starting their own business so they can be their own boss can first enroll in business administration courses at Reeves College. For more information on the program, fill out the form on the right.