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Setting Boundaries

Those who have never worked at home aren't always aware of the work that is involved in being self-employed. Some may have even known a business owner (or two) who lazily sat home, reading the news and drinking coffee all day while their employees did most of the work at an office or warehouse.

Unfortunately, this creates a negative image for those who consider themselves self-employed.

Those who work at home cannot always be compared to business owners, who most likely do delegate a good portion of their work. Rather, work at home individuals are often the owner and the employees, the planner and the executioner. In other words, many do all of the work required to make their businesses run.

Because many people do not realize this, friends and family of those working at home may often interrupt their workday with phone calls and unexpected visits that business owners just do not have time to deal with.

While your loved ones may have good intentions in their desire to communicate with you during work hours, here are a few tips to educate your friends and family about your need for boundaries:

Make a good sign to hang on your door. If you work primarily on the phone where a doorbell ringing might set the dogs off barking, this should help things a little. Print a note politely telling visitors you are unavailable during certain working hours.

Mention that packages may be left at the door without ringing the bell. Laminate it, and hang it up when you begin your workday.

Turn off the telephone ringer (if possible) or use Caller I.D. Screening your calls and only answering the business-related ones are a good way to cut back on annoying and frivolous phone calls. When your friends and family ask why you did not take their call, simply reply that you were working, and only taking calls from client.

After a few times of this happening, they should begin to get the point.

Don't let others talk you into doing errands or favors for them. Learn to say no without offering to help another time. Be firm. Many who work at home get phone calls from friends or other parents asking them to do a favor, run an errand, or transport their children for them.

Politely inform them that you are working, and that the only breaks you get throughout the day are to drop off and pick up your children from school.

Create a "set" schedule. If you work some hours one day and others another, it will be hard for your loved ones to know the best time to get in touch. Set your schedule and make sure everyone knows it.

Put it on the back of your business cards and hand them out at your next family function.

Whether your friends and family are crossing boundaries because they aren't aware of their existence, or because they don't truly believe in their necessity, following the above suggestions will help you educate them about your needs.

Hopefully, they will recognize your desires, sense your seriousness about needing boundaries, and be fully willing to comply.