Flipping The Switch
Neil Bromage has run his own small business and is a freelance business writer working on a range of newspapers including The Times, Sunday Times, Telegraph and Financial Mail on Sunday. This book is based on a wide range of columns and Q&As written and answered by Neil for Business Link over a number of years. He is based near Preston, Lancs.
Running a home-based business can have tremendous advantages. But learning to switch off and allow time for family or friends doesn’t always come easy. Here are five ways to help you flip the switch.
Confine work to one room
If possible, confine your business activities to a certain area of the house, preferably a room that is exclusively used by you as your place of work, otherwise you will always be reminded of it.
Separate communications systems
Have separate communications systems for home and work – one telephone and fax line for home and one for work. When you are working, have your home answering machine on and vice versa.
Establish a structured routine
You don’t have to be regimented, starting at 9:00 a.m., taking a one-hour lunch break and working through until 5:00 p.m. You can set whatever routine and structure you like. The important thing is to be disciplined and not allow ‘your’ time to be eroded by work.
Rituals
Rituals can play a useful role in switching off at the end of the workday. For example, you may already work until your partner returns home. Perhaps you share a glass of wine together at that time. Why not think of this as an ‘end of workday’ ritual? In doing so, your mind will soon learn to associate it with the end of the working day.
Plan to take days off and vacations
Don’t forget to schedule days off and vacations (and make sure you take them) or underestimate the rejuvenating effect of taking a complete week off.
