4 Ways to Set Boundaries When Working from Home

Do you ever struggle to set boundaries when working from home?

Many consultants, accountants, lawyers, and others working in professional services do a lot of work outside of their offices. This can blur the lines between work and home and lead to more stress. Here are four ways to set boundaries when working from home:

1. Work from a dedicated workspace at home.

If possible, designate a spare room in your house that is strictly for work and no other activities. If that is not possible, then carve out a section of a room in your house to use exclusively for work. A room divider can help create a physical boundary in a room used for other activities and/or by other people.

Only work at your dedicated workspace at home. Avoid bringing work into other parts of your home, especially your bedroom.

2. Create a ritual for ending your workday.

When you work from home, it’s easy to feel like the workday never ends. Another way to set boundaries is to create a ritual that signifies the end of your workday.

An end of work ritual sends a clear message to yourself that work is done for the day. It helps you shift gears and focus on other parts of your life.

3. Commute from home after work.

When you work at an office outside your home, your commute home can help you shift gears from work to home. However, when you work in your home, it is harder to make that shift- since you are not going anywhere.

One way to overcome this challenge is to commute after work. It can be as simple as leaving your home and going for a short walk outside. This ritual further helps you shift gears and disconnect from work. When you re-enter your home, it will be easier to focus on other parts of your life.

4. Change out of your work clothes.

When you work from home, you might be tempted to wear comfortable clothes that you would never wear to an office. That includes pajamas, sweat pants, workout attire, etc.

Before you start work, a stronger approach is to get changed into work clothes. You need not dress as formally as you would in an office, but try to dress more professionally than if you were lounging around at home.

At the end of your workday, change out of your work clothes and into more casual attire. This action further signifies that your workday is over.

Summary and Final Thoughts

While there are many benefits to working from home, a downside is that it can blur the lines between home and work. Here are four ways to set boundaries when working from home:

1. Work from a dedicated workspace at home.
2. Create a ritual for ending your workday.
3. Commute from home after work.
4. Change out of your work clothes.

When you establish boundaries between work and home, your stress will decrease and your performance will increase.