See our tips below of how a daily plan can be established, and remember it is much better to take a proper lunch break away from your office than to work through and launch an attack on the biscuit tin at 3.30!
On the upside of home working, you will never have to try and conquer the M25 in rush hour ever again and you will be in control of your own destiny.
Top Ten Tips for successful working from home
• Be disciplined and motivated and do NOT work in your pyjamas! You must have a schedule and stick to it. I plan my week on a Sunday evening so that I know exactly what will be happening after the school run on Monday morning!
• Make sure you have a dedicated workspace. It doesn't have to be a purpose built log cabin retreat in the garden, but it does have to be a self contained area of your home that is separate from the rest of your house.
• Be really, horribly, frighteningly organised and keep all your books and expenses up to date. Set aside a time each week and diary it so that you stick to it. If you let paper work pile up, you will get depressed!
• Get a book keeper and an accountant. You didn't decide to work for yourself so that you spend precious time adding up rows of figures.
• Make good use of any free resources for new businesses and working from home such as networking groups, websites and organisations such as Business Link.
• Make sure your workspace is attractive and makes you happy. I swear by fresh flowers, a Diptique candle and fresh coffee.
• Distractions are difficult, and I have found that the worst distractions are caused by neighbours who just assume you are available for coffee and chats all day every day. Be strict-I have even had to put a notice on my door to say that I am working and much as I would LOVE to see my friends I do actually have to earn a living!-they get the hint eventually! (and they are still talking to me!)
• Take a break every now and then, and make sure you have a lunch hour/half hour. Try and get out and go for a walk, a swim or nip to the gym. Schedule a couple of classes each week if you can, and make sure you take time out for treatments, haircuts etc as well. Taking time out for yourself is not an indulgence, it's an essential part of your lifestyle maintenance and well being programme, and you will work more effectively if your stress levels are kept under control.
• If you are working around your children and school hours, do not even attempt to work between the hours of 4 and 6 unless you have childcare. One of the reasons that lots of us work form home is to be there for our children. If you are locked in your office and the children are left to their own devices for too long, it won't work-trust me!
• When you have finished for the day-close the door and relax. Just because you work from home does not automatically entitle your clients to 24/7 service-we all need to leave our work from time to time.
