Many business owners who work from home do so to create some flexibility around looking after their children.
But Rebecca O’Rourke, who runs her PR firm O’Rourke PR from home, says it’s “really important to have structured care for your child, whether that’s a nanny in the home or childcare”.
O’Rourke started her business from home in 2007 and later moved to an office space, but decided to return to working from home after the birth of her son, who is now almost two years old.
“I am fortunate to have an amazing mother who assists me with William every day at home so I get to spend quality time with them and still feel connected as a mother to my son during these very early years,” says O’Rourke. “When I take a break I will play with him outside or sit down for a nice lunch together. I feel very happy to be in this position.”
O’Rourke says working from home can get lonely, especially if you have a business that doesn’t require attending regular meetings.
“Find outside networks and leave the office to catch up with colleagues, mentors and friends at least twice a week,” says O’Rourke. “Otherwise you may start to feel isolated.”
Lehmann agrees, saying regular contact with other people will help keep your work in perspective.
While MYOB employees who work from home are required to visit the office at least once a week to stay in touch, Lehmann says individuals who run their own businesses could look at joining a local small business networking forum to share ideas and meet likeminded people.
She also suggests scheduling any meetings with clients outside of the home office to make sure you break up the daily routine.
Lehmann says an important tool for working from home is goal setting.
“It’s about setting goals and saying ‘I’m going to achieve this today’,” says Lehmann, who adds measuring output is more useful than measuring the time spent at the keyboard.
O’Rourke recommends planning out your day the night before, as “it can be too easy to become distracted with other activities at home”.
“You need to stay motivated, disciplined and focused as you are the only one who is accountable to what you achieve each day,” she says.
That being said, May recommends taking time during your working day to go outside and get some fresh air.
“Physiologically, it can be challenge working from home, as some days you might not leave the house and you get cabin fever,” says May. “Try to take a walk at lunchtime or just get some fresh air.”
Finally, O’Rourke says small business owners who work from home need to remember to give themselves a day off every now and again.
And if you are having a day off, “pack up the laptop and go and do something just for you”, she says.
News Editor
Prior to joining SmartCompany, Eloise was news editor at Books+Publishing, the trade press for the Australian book industry. Eloise has degrees in media and communications, marketing and business management, and political science. You can follow her on Twitter at @ellykeating.
