The Home Working Myth: How to Stay Sane!
'So do you have a REAL job?' 'Must be nice being able to nap
whenever you want.' 'Gee, I wish I could take it easy like you
do...'
Everytime I hear these types of comments - intentionally
malicious or not - my eyes lock and my jaw clenches.
Somehow, somewhere, a nasty rumor began implying that when you
earn your living from your home, you're not actually working.
Yes, I have flexible hours. True, I sometimes only work 2 hours
in a day. Some days I don't work at all. But sometimes I work
evenings when others are watching TV, weekends when friends are
out for a day of relaxation, plus occasional late nights or
extraordinarily early mornings - long before the rest of the
neighborhood is stirring.
The fact of the matter is, although home workers have a great
deal of flexibility they also tend to spend a lot more time
working than if they were in an office. Help keep yourself sane
with these tips.
__Eat well and don't skip meals.
Don't blow off regular, healthy meals just because you're busy.
You're ALWAYS going to be busy and you may never find the
'right' time to take a break. Eat your meals. They'll keep you
fueled with energy and provide nutrients to the old brain.
__Exercise.
Exercise is probably the first thing to go when we're busy. I
recently read a study that estimated that only 30% of the adult
population gets enough exercise! What a sad statistic. Exercise
is a great energizer, and believe it or not, it *does* become a
habit. If you miss a day, you don't feel as good. I always
exercise first thing in the morning. That way it's out of the
way before I get engrossed in my work.
__Take breaks when you need them.
You're a person, not a machine. Don't force yourself to keep
going when you're burnt out. Take some time off to do something
you enjoy, and FORGET about work for a while. It really helps!
You'll feel more refreshed and ready to tackle your next task.
__Stick to an approximate schedule.
I say 'approximate' because one of the benefits to working from
home is flexibility! But setting a 'regular' schedule (barring
the occasional deviation) helps you to stay on track and get
things done.
__Keep your sense of humor - but don't be a wimp.
You're WORKING from home, so don't get swindled into caring for
the neighbor's kids everyday ('as a favor') or running errands
for friends or family ('because you have lots of time'). No
doubt some people will think that 'working from home' is
equivalent to 'munching snacks while watching daytime TV'. Learn
to say a guilt-free NO!
Treat yourself right, and enjoy the benefits of being one of the
lucky people who can say, 'I work fro