Working from home is very appealing to some people - while others really struggle when it's all down to them.
Here are 3 suggestions that might just save your sanity! Set Boundaries for Family and Friends This is a particularly sensitive and tricky area.
When you work from home, friends and family will often phone for a chat or drop in for coffee - just because they can.
They don't understand that you're trying to make a living or have deadlines to meet.
So you have to tell them, and teach them about your hours of business.
If you don't set boundaries, you'll end up feeling resentful and not enjoy their company so much when you are 'off duty'.
They may be a bit surprised at first but will soon get the message if you continue to stand firm.
If you feel uncomfortable doing this, practice what you want to say beforehand so you're prepared when they call.
It's OK to say that you're busy right now and can you call them back later (at a time to suit you).
Schedule meetings in your diary A lot of business owners don't like the isolation of working on their own.
They miss having people around them.
So, while it's important to use your working day productively, you also need to schedule in meetings with a fellow business owner.
Have coffee or lunch and bat some ideas around.
Don't be afraid to ask for advice.
Be mutually supportive.
Celebrate your wins.
Commiserate and pick up the pieces if necessary.
You can't usually do this with friends and family because they don't understand what it's like to be in business.
Do choose carefully who you trust with details about your business - and make sure it doesn't turn into a mutual moaning session! The aim is to feel less isolated, not become totally depressed.
Make Room to Work If you're cramped in a tiny space under the stairs, or perched on the end of the dining table, you will struggle to make headway with your business.
It's important that you have enough room to work, room to keep your papers tidily and room to make and take phone calls in a business-like way.
Turning up to client meetings with coffee rings or jam on a proposal is not professional.
Keep telling your little ones to 'be careful' around your papers or laptop, and the result will be nervous dispositions all round.
Just as you need to be able to separate work time from home time, so you need to have somewhere that is just for your business and that won't interfere with family life.
Here are 3 suggestions that might just save your sanity! Set Boundaries for Family and Friends This is a particularly sensitive and tricky area.
When you work from home, friends and family will often phone for a chat or drop in for coffee - just because they can.
They don't understand that you're trying to make a living or have deadlines to meet.
So you have to tell them, and teach them about your hours of business.
If you don't set boundaries, you'll end up feeling resentful and not enjoy their company so much when you are 'off duty'.
They may be a bit surprised at first but will soon get the message if you continue to stand firm.
If you feel uncomfortable doing this, practice what you want to say beforehand so you're prepared when they call.
It's OK to say that you're busy right now and can you call them back later (at a time to suit you).
Schedule meetings in your diary A lot of business owners don't like the isolation of working on their own.
They miss having people around them.
So, while it's important to use your working day productively, you also need to schedule in meetings with a fellow business owner.
Have coffee or lunch and bat some ideas around.
Don't be afraid to ask for advice.
Be mutually supportive.
Celebrate your wins.
Commiserate and pick up the pieces if necessary.
You can't usually do this with friends and family because they don't understand what it's like to be in business.
Do choose carefully who you trust with details about your business - and make sure it doesn't turn into a mutual moaning session! The aim is to feel less isolated, not become totally depressed.
Make Room to Work If you're cramped in a tiny space under the stairs, or perched on the end of the dining table, you will struggle to make headway with your business.
It's important that you have enough room to work, room to keep your papers tidily and room to make and take phone calls in a business-like way.
Turning up to client meetings with coffee rings or jam on a proposal is not professional.
Keep telling your little ones to 'be careful' around your papers or laptop, and the result will be nervous dispositions all round.
Just as you need to be able to separate work time from home time, so you need to have somewhere that is just for your business and that won't interfere with family life.
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