Working from home can provide plenty of perks. Workers gain better convenience by fulfilling tasks and saving time and money. In exchange, it can be tougher to draw boundaries with your employers or clients. After all, putting your work and rest areas in the same space can make it confusing. Technology makes instant communication easier than ever. Thus, your employer can contact you whenever they want. While it can seem like an irreparable situation, the best way to cope with this setup is to be clearer about the limitations. 1. Figure Out Your Needs Every job has an interview and onboarding discussion to determine what they prioritize in their role. About 5.1 million Canadians work from home in May 2021. Each person has their realization of their needs during remote work. Figure out what those are to you. Join work-from-home communities and see whether you have needs similar to theirs. Ask yourself questions. For example, are you open to taking on extra responsibilities while working remotely? Are you amenable to meetings or prefer textual communication instead? 2. Sort Out Your Work Environment Part of setting boundaries with your remote job is fixing up your work environment at home. Not having an office can make you more likely to spend hours on a project. Having a physical sectioning between your productivity and leisure areas can help you clock in and out. Most remote workers separate their work environment by using dedicated desks or work tables. If you have a spare room, set your home office there. Walk in and focus on your work during your shift. Leave and head to the living area when the day is done. 3. Create a Proper Schedule Another helpful step in setting better boundaries is to create a schedule. Pick out what days of the week you’re supposed to work. From there, determine how many hours you’re working and when you will start and end work each day. If your employer offers flexible hours, pick a time that works for your productivity and energy levels. Operating on a consistent schedule can result in a quality work-life balance in the long run. 4. Communicate With Your Boss When remote working, both you and your managers need to communicate your expectations. For example, while 32% of people like working remotely, 59% prefer hybrid arrangements. If the company expects you to come into the office on a regular basis, that needs to be established well in advance. You should also communicate with them about your availability for travel or events that occur outside your normal working hours. 5. Deliver Work Within Your Hours Setting better limitations does not end at improving your work environment. You have to make a conscious decision to adhere to the boundaries you’ve set for yourself. For example, you have a project due on Monday, so you try your best to complete it within your Friday shift. However, you find yourself at the end of the workday still missing a few elements. Allow yourself to rest rather than push to work a couple of extra hours or use your weekends. Your mind needs a reset. Finishing your work on Monday will also allow you to review your work with a fresh perspective. 6. Take Advantage of Time Off Some people consider time off a luxury. In reality, federally regulated employers must provide annual vacation and honor general holidays in Canada. Take advantage of these benefits and give yourself a break to recuperate from working hard. Remote workers can leave and travel for some time away from their homes. You can use the hours to explore a new place or pick up a new hobby. Remember to notify your work contacts so they don’t go looking for you during your outing. 7. Stick to Your Boundaries Setting limitations can seem straightforward, but the hardest part is affirming and following through. Take the tips above and set better boundaries to stick with throughout your career. Putting yourself first can improve your health and well-being in the long run.
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