Operating your small business from home: How to set yourself up success

Tips for running a successful small-scale business from your the comfort of your home

How do you set yourself up for success when running a small business from your home? Here are some ideas.

While flexibility is beneficial, it’s often all too easy to check emails during home or family time. This not only suffocates one’s attention, but it also creates expectations of availability. It’s also harder to switch off and reduce stress.

So, how do you avoid all of this?

Create your own workspace with creativity

One great work from home tip is to clearly separate your work and home spaces.

Separate space or a room specifically designed for work is critical, as creating physical distance can create mental distance, meaning it’s more easy to turn off your work at the end of the day. A desk, an appropriate office chair, and storage system will set you up for success.

Also, we suggest taking the time to make your workspace feel comfortable. A study suggests that personalizing your workspace can be a good method to increase productivity.

"I have a large cabin and a kitchen that provides plenty of space for my food and other supplies. My little haven. It smells fantastic and I’ve got full rights to the tunes!"

Bringing a little creativity into your work space can make a huge difference.

"I’ve tried to make my office a space that I am happy to be in. There’s a bunch of bright, red roses around the computer’s desk. I place all our massive feather costumes in the open so I can see them, and I have a quilted afghan my mom made me on the chair I sit in."

When you’re working from home during an epidemic, these small creature comforts can be the difference.

You can mimic your usual work rules

While some might let work to bleed into their lives at home a bit but it’s better to be very strict about not allowing this to occur. That means no laptop on the kitchen counter and no packing orders in the living area.

The presence of boundaries helps to get the most out of your work day from your home.

It is important to mimic the boundaries that we’d face at work. For instance, you’d not respond to email notifications popping up in a face-to-face meeting with a colleague or client, so you shouldn’t do it in a Zoom meeting.

While working from home, it could be tempting to respond to every ping of your phone or email alert immediately. However, doing this will not help you in the long run.

Switch off notifications for your email to allow you to concentrate on your task and not be distracted. Then, only be sure to check your mail every an hour or so.

Find a method that works for you and follow it

Creating a routine when working from home is extremely crucial.

A consistent start time as well as breaks for physical exercise during the work day as well as a consistent time for when the work day ends, are all vital. Staying on a consistent schedule and creating a structure around your tasks for the day will make you more effective.

"If you have 3 massages booked, I will block each one in turn and I will also adhere to a an established schedule that includes time for coffee breaks, lunch and other obligations."

Every day, she will ask yourself some important questions like "What are the goals or milestones I need to achieve today?" and "What’s going through my head at the moment? ".

Certain people are drawn to routine and find practicing daily gratitude activities beneficial.

Note three things you are thankful for every day, and try to write your to-do list at night or first thing in the morning. It will put you in a state of mind and allow you to feel at ease.

Be an advocate to protect your mental health

When you’re working from home, you can go the whole day without seeing anyone else, so you need to know how to advocate for your health and wellbeing by practicing self-care.

Be realistic about what you can get done especially if you’re home schooling kids, and have proper breaks to re-energize.

Research has shown that after the SARS quarantine period, people had signs of psychological stress, so taking the time to talk with your family, friends , and clients is essential.