Work is work, home is home

ajharper · #1 (**permalink**) 04-11-2006, 01:56 PM

Hi there,

I have found it difficult to stop working when I work from home. It seems I am always going back to my computer to check email, perform a task or make a list. How do you turn your work brain off at home so you can be there for your family - or just get some real downtime?

rowenahere · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 02:19 AM

Ajharper, what you are experiencing is normal especially if you have the dedication for your work and that you have your great passion for it. Such behavior shows your sense of accountability in your field of endeavor. You can, however get some break from thinking so much about your work. Managing your time at home could be advantageous. You can spare a maximum quality time with your family during meals, siesta or rest period through chitchats, playing some outdoor and indoor games, watching some films or get-together during holidays and weekends. During that allocated time, you have to eliminate business work from your mind. Remember you are still a human being and not an emotionless robot. Thus, give yourself some space to rejuvenate your mind and body. You can still visit your e-mails and do some paper work where you cannot be interrupted by any of your family members once you are able to establish some working time. Yet, give some time for yourself, friends, other interests, family, and God.

misteralan · #3 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 03:26 PM

I believe in setting up a specific time for work and for play. That way i wouldn't get mixed up and i can actually make plans. By setting time, i don't mean it got to be the same time for every single day. That's the best thing about working from home. You can work around your plan. Actually, thats the idea of working from home on the first place. To get to spend more time with your family and having more time for yourself. Not restricted to office hours and such.

But in the beginning, i do experienced some enxiety and having the urge to always check on my email every 10 minutes and all.

rowenahere · #4 (**permalink**) 11-14-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misteralan

I believe in setting up a specific time for work and for play. That way i wouldn't get mixed up and i can actually make plans. By setting time, i don't mean it got to be the same time for every single day. That's the best thing about working from home. You can work around your plan. Actually, thats the idea of working from home on the first place. To get to spend more time with your family and having more time for yourself. Not restricted to office hours and such. But in the beginning, i do experienced some enxiety and having the urge to always check on my email every 10 minutes and all.

Precisely! Setting up a specific time for work and play is the only way out to designate appropriate length of time for your office work and quality time with the family. Besides, working from home gives anyone a more stretchable time. One can always adjust his/her alloted time for household chores, bonding moments with the family and work. Checking one's e-mail becomes a natural attitude especially if only through that electronic access you are connected to your clients; you are really impulsed to do the checking anytime within the day.

jae372 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-20-2006, 06:03 PM

I had the same problem. I was wanting to check my email like every 10 minutes when I first started working from home(still am that way sometimes). Setting up a schedule am learning to stick to it was a great way to break out of those habits. And of course the really great thing about working from home is that the schedule you set up can be adjusted to your needs.

peachey · #6 (**permalink**) 11-21-2006, 05:37 AM

Yes the email thing was me but find a good program that checks it for you automatic and notifies you of any email coming in. Gmail is good to use they do that and outlook or one of the Microsoft programs is great and notify you.

I use the Microsoft and I have mine set to check every 15 mins. It notifies me of incoming that way I can reply quickly to the emails from clients.

Yes a schedule is very import so that you get the work you need to do in a certain time. When I first started I remember taking for ever that because I see something and have to stop and read or go to that site. Now I just bookmark it under a folder says enjoyment so when I have time I go check it out.