Tips to Setting Boundaries: Making Your Office Your Own


The American Dream. Quitting your 9-to-5 job to start your ownbusiness and work at home. More and more people are making theirdream come true. But before you quit that job and set up yourhome office, there are a few issues to consider.

On the plus side, part of your home and related expenses are taxdeductible. It's convenient to work while your kids are in schooland home for them when they walk through the door in theafternoon, and let's face it, not having a boss to answer to is amajor plus.

But it's not always the ideal situation. Starting a businessfrom home isn't always easy on families. There are many issuesthat will affect your family. First and foremost are financialissues. Will you be able to handle the hit to your wallet whenyou don't have a steady paycheck? If this is an issue, considerworking your business part time while holding down a full downjob.

It takes a very dedicated person to work from home. There arealways distractions to overcome. Unexpected visits from familymembers who think you have lots of free time because you don'twork a "real" job. Telemarketers calling in the middle of theday. Neighbors dropping by to see if you'll babysit, "real quick"while they run errands. It's important to let family and friendsknow your working hours. Tell them in no uncertain terms thatyour business is an income producting and you need to block outregular working hours. Also let them know when you areavailable.

Along those same lines, it is crucial that you explain to yourown family that, although you are home, you are not alwaysavailable to them. This can be confusing to kids. Set some basicrules for them to follow. Let them know your work hours and tellthem you expect not to be disturbed. But occasionally, surprisethem by quitting early and doing something fun with them!

Here are a few basic rules that will help you and your familyhandle the new working situation.

* Make sure everyone knows not to answer your business phone.This will save you in a number of ways. You'll be sure to alwaysget your messages. Kids are never good at getting all thedetails. You'll create a much more professional business image ifyou answer your own phone.

*If you're children are typical kids, they will want to "borrow"your office supplies. Give them their own office supply centerelsewhere in the house! Otherwise, you'll start losing your muchneeded supplies.

*Set a work schedule at the beginning of every week and post itin a prominent spot so family members can check your schedule tosee when you will be available.

Though these issues can and probably will arise, working fromhome is still the American Dream for many people. Learning toset, and more importantly, enforce boundaries for family, friendsand clients will make your business less complicated.

Mary Rita Earle is the owner of http://www.duchessr.biz Duchess Marketing A complete suite of the hottest work at home ideas, opportunities, tips and tools for the home business entrepreneur. Get free information via email to: [email protected]