When Working From Home Doesn’t Work

Given the huge surge of employees and entrepreneurs who began working remotely over the past several months, it seems like working from home has become “the” thing to do. Many have set up semi-permanent home offices just because they discovered they could; some companies have even closed their offices and made remote working a permanent option for their employees.

But for a lot of people, including small business owners and entrepreneurs, working from home is far less than optimal. And for some, it just doesn’t work at all. For example:

• Having a small living space. If you live in a small apartment with multiple roommates or family members, you might find it difficult to find a quiet place to work consistently.
• Having kids at home. For families with smaller children, especially those attending school remotely, it may be nearly impossible to carve out productive work hours (anyone have a youngster interrupt a Zoom meeting lately?).
• Difficulty separating work and home. Some people simply have a hard time differentiating between work hours and off time when their workspace is also their living space. They might work constantly at all hours, or they might not work at all.

Benefits of NOT Working from Home

Despite the current trends, there is still something to be said for having a workspace outside the home, provided it can be done safely. Some of the advantages of doing so include:

• Fewer interruptions equals more productivity. You can often get more work done in less time simply by having a separate workspace. You can focus better.
• Promotes work-life balance. Entrepreneurs, in particular, often struggle to “turn off” when the workday is complete. A separate office helps you leave work at work when it’s time for “downtime.”
• Serve your clients/customers more effectively and professionally. Despite all that’s happened in the past year, your clients still expect results and responsiveness from you, and when they need you, they want your undivided attention. Working in an office is still the best way to give your customers what they need.

If you’re struggling with the challenges of working from home, you’re not alone, and there’s no need to feel shame in that difficulty. Some business-related problems can only be solved by moving the office back outside the home. The good news is there are affordable, safe ways to do so, including going to a coworking space. Give us a call at XXX to learn about your available options.