Setting Boundaries: Home vs Work

Setting Boundaries: Home vs Work

Work from home has been trending as the preferred employment setting for quite a long time now,
making remote jobs a game-changer across industries.  For more information reach us here:  http://www.rehava.com

New approach to work

This new approach to work allows people to stay productive while achieving a better work-life balance in many different ways. As a remote employee, you’re saved from stressful daily commutes, enabling you to function at your best, which might be impossible for some creative minds to accomplish inside an office.  But despite this expanding transition, many professionals still perceive that being part of a successful, remote team is a daunting undertaking.

New concerns

New concerns have emerged now that remote work has become the norm. It can feel intrusive to have a video chat with a boss from a workspace in your room. Virtual communication links between home and work are always open, blurring the boundaries between both sides. If you have kids, it can be a burden to de-clutter your workstation or living quarters because you need to do multiple tasks at once.  With all the different challenges remote workers encounter every day, even at the convenience of working from home, setting boundaries is the key to staying on top of your game.

In that regard, here are some effective strategies worth considering to maintain a work-life balance with remote jobs.

5 Ways to Establish Healthy Boundaries with Remote Work 

1. Invest in a personal workspace

The home is our ultimate personal space. Here, we feel calm and centered, so, understandably, seeing it as a workplace may require some adjustments.
But since we’re likely to continue with this work setup for the foreseeable future, you might as well consider designating your workspace. Any room that is clean, quiet, and free of distractions can serve as your home office. This will help you streamline your daily routine, as you know you have to be in work mode once you enter this area and deal with other things only when you step out of it.
You are entitled to have a dedicated work area where you can be most productive. Customize the space organization according to your requirements and preferences so that you can work more efficiently.

2. Organize your schedule

Setting boundaries involves time management, which could be as simple as writing down your to-do list for the day, week, or month. This will be a reminder as well as a guide to your priorities.
If you work for multiple clients, time blocking is another technique that can help you get things done. It means allocating a specific amount of time to complete each project one after the other.
When making a to-do list or scheduling time blocks, see to it that you prioritize the most important tasks to avoid being preoccupied with less urgent matters.

3. Stick to a routine

One of the great advantages of remote work is that you no longer have to spend time and energy going to the office. But to maintain the boundary between work and home, it’s best to stick to a routine by emulating a start and end to your workday as you would if you were working on-site.
When you work an eight or nine-hour shift, all your work responsibilities are confined within that time frame and you don’t bring them home. That’s how it works. Keep in mind that without a structure to your day, everything can easily get mixed up you’ll find yourself caught in back-to-back appointments and a pile of household chores.

4. Set aside time for yourself

It’s sometimes more tempting to resume working even when you’re off the clock than spend time on the things you enjoy doing. But, you must intentionally give yourself some me-time for activities that make you happy to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Schedule vacation leaves and visit places with your favorite people. At the very least, you should have a few go-to hobbies for fun so that you have something to do with your free time. Otherwise, you might find yourself returning to work most of the time.

5. Make the most of your breaks

It is essential to take regular breaks to keep stress at bay and avoid burnout. Take advantage of these opportunities to refresh yourself and give your eyes a rest from constant exposure to computer screens.  You can also use them to socialize with coworkers online or with family at home, go for a walk with your dog and get some fresh air outside, meditate to stay centered, or warm up to feel more energized.  The point of all this is to prevent overworking yourself, which could negatively affect both your profession and personal life.

Work-life balance – You Got This!

Keeping your work-life balance in check is imperative in leading a happy life and a fulfilling career.  Boundaries between home and work in remote jobs can be more manageable when organized accordingly. Remember to prioritize and focus on the things you have control over. Take baby steps if you must; as long as you make an effort, you’ll learn to adapt in no time.