Video:Create a Distraction-Free Workspace at Home
with Kathy MooreWorking at home can be both challenging and rewarding at the same time. Learn how to create a work environment in your home that will allow you to concentrate, and see how you can get the kids on board during your work day.
Transcript:Create a Distraction-Free Workspace at Home
Hi, I'm Kathy Moore for About.com. Working from home can be a challenge when there are children underfoot. This program will offer some ideas on creating space in your home that will maximize productivity and minimize distractions.Working from home offers some great benefits in terms of flexibility, but it can also have its pitfalls especially if your home environment is not suitable. As a mom of 3 kids who works from home, I have experienced a few hits and misses in trying to work at home.
Create a Distraction-Free Workspace
If you are trying to work from home it is best to have an area dedicated as a workspace - preferably, a space with a door so you can shut out unwanted distractions. Creating boundaries between the work you do at home and your family life will also help improve your productivity. When you are working, close the door to shut out non-work distractions and when you are finished with work stay out of your workspace and make the most of your home life.If you do not have a separate office or work space in the home, one inexpensive solution is to create a simple divider as I have done here. This is just a large bed sheet hung from the ceiling and it helped create an instant separated workspace out of what had been an unfinished storage area.
Proper task lighting is key to any working area and you will need to dedicate enough space to handle the type of tasks you need to perform.
Establish Work-at-Home Rules With Children
Depending on the type of work you are doing, you may be able to keep a child alongside you as you work but usually this practice severely limits productivity.Establish some rules for your children about not interrupting you when you are working. Depending on the age of your kids you may need to plan activities that they can do on their own while you work or schedule your work time around nap and bedtime.
Being a successful work-at-home mom is a rewarding challenge and creating a productive workspace will help you be better at both. Thanks for watching. To learn more visit us on the Web at About.com