Many people share a dream of eventually running their own business. Some people want to get creative in the kitchen and serve specialized dishes at a restaurant they own or open a salon for clients they’ve met over the years.
Whatever you want your business to look like, you’ll need a base of operations. It’s hard to rent a physical space when you don’t have the money or client base for it. That’s why so many small business owners do everything from the comfort of their couch.
If you’re looking into working where you live, read about what to consider when running your business from home. A little extra planning and a new perspective will help get your business on its feet so you can focus on doing what you love.
1. Create a Positive Environment
You love your home because you’ve made it a personalized space. But will it promote a positive workflow? Sitting on your couch or getting cozy in bed under a heated blanket may be what you enjoy doing in your free time, but it could cause you to focus less and relax more.
Try to create a positive work environment by choosing a spot to work in your home. You might have an office or order a special desk just for work. When you sit down in your designated area, it should help you tune into your schedule and feel like you’re there to work, not take time off.
2. Maintain Constant Communication
Maybe you’ve operated your business for some time now and have employees who help you get things done. You want to start working from home, but you’re worried that not sitting near each other will cause your team to struggle with communication.
Avoid this issue when you check out communication apps that everyone can download. They’ll give you a platform for everyone to share messages, documents and calendar events so no one accidentally gets left out of the loop because they work from home.
3. Appearance Still Matters
When you mention that you work from home, people usually joke about how nice it must be to work in your pajamas. Although you can always do that, your appearance still matters to your business. Hanging out in your pajamas may cause you to feel sleepy or distracted because your mind recognizes them as a sign that it’s time to relax. If you have to meet with clients, you also don’t want to show up looking like you haven’t showered in three days. Take care of yourself and your appearance so you’re ready to go every morning.
4. Remember Your Air Quality
When you’re running to and from your house to go to work, your home’s air quality is the last thing on your mind. However, it should become more of a priority after you decide to stay home to work every day. Poor air quality affects your health because it dries out your skin and nose, leading to inflammation and a compromised immune system. Monitor the humidity of your home with your thermostat to ensure you don’t suffer ill health effects because the air is too dry.
5. Strategize Your Schedule
After you start running your business from home, it’s tempting to throw yourself at your to-do list early in the morning until late at night. You’re free to do that when you have an unexpected deadline or work emergency, but it’s healthier to strategize your schedule.
Stick with a standard nine-to-five routine or give yourself an extended break in the afternoon and work a bit later. It all depends on factors like whether you’re a morning or evening person, so think about your typical workday and when you can more easily focus on your tasks.
6. Start Self-Care Habits
Another way some business owners work themselves too hard is by forgetting to take care of themselves. Balance your work schedule and personal life when you start healthy self-care habits and make them an essential part of your routine. You may keep your work in one room so you can relax in the rest of your home or always stop working by a specific time to eat and rest.
Give Yourself Time
It always takes time to adjust to a new routine, so don’t feel bad if you need a few weeks or months to get the hang of running your business from home. Remember to take care of your physical and mental health while communicating with your team and balancing your schedule. It will all feel normal after a while and you’ll be a pro at working from home.
