Working from home. Boundaries, and how to enforce them.

[wickerman]

Hi. As it's the start of a new year, and 2012 is going to be my year of kickarse productivity and success, I just wondered what anti-procrastination tips other s/e home working people might want to share.

I mainly work in a shed in the bottom of my garden, which is great as it means that I don't think about knickers or other domestic things whilst I'm working.

However, these things take up a lot of my time, and more, my focus, during the day.

1. My lodger, who is a student, who will chat for HOURS if I let him.
2. Any of my young music students who frequently leave things at my house and then need to pick them up again, and then want to have tea/chat.
3. My family, who do not listen to my pleas to be allowed to observe normal working hours.
4. My ex husband
5. My kids (but that's allowed, that's one of the reasons I'm s/e).
6. My boyfriend.

I would like to have a gatekeeper/secretary/fierce manager, but in the absence of a real one of these, I need an imaginary one.

Your tips, please.

1. 'Sorry I'm working'
2. Meet on doorstep with object 'Sorry, I'm working, bye'
3. Screen calls and don't answer or if popping round 'sorry, I'm working''
4. As 3
5. Mummys working, see you later
6. As 3

Ah. You make it seem so easy. I do not find it easy at all.

Simple is the best way though - if you try and make it too complex people will do the 'oh, just a minute', 'just need 5 minutes' etc. Remember, No is a complete sentence - in your working hours you don't need to justify things

Hello

Good for you on thinking about ways to improve the situ.

Can I ask, is the issue "just" the distractions? Or are you maybe avoiding work by ?accepting? them interrupt you? I am guessing it isn't that clear cut, but I did think (knowing nothing about you) that maybe it could be a bit of both?

If it is, could you focus first on planning your work (daily/week to do's)/developing your work (marketing & biz dev) and maybe timetabling it, with breaks? Then talk to the time stealers, and I think you will need to be clear, and explain when you will be available (the scheduled breaks). This might be more realistic than saying, I am working x until x, do not interrupt me at all.

And try to say ?no? more. You might have a mindset that you need to change, so it will take time but start by saying no once and you?ll find it easier each time. I have been doing this (not just for work) over the past 6 months ? serial people pleaser me ? and I am getting better at it.

Good luck.

HTH
WS

Oooh, just have this on my LinkedIn update - blogs.hbr.org/schwartz/2012/01/no-is-the-new-yes-four-practic.html