VirtualVocations

Concentration While Working at Home

I cannot concentrate when other people are in my workspace. It would be great if I could fly to some remote island for a day, and then jet set back, but, well, that is not going to happen. There are times when I ask those around me in a polite manner to use their indoor voices, and other times, I will admit, I snap. I have thought endlessly about ways for this situation to change, I have put pillows at the bottom of my door so the noise does not seep in. I will go to a coffee shop where no one talks, I have even put my hands over my ears or used earplugs.

Working at home is not a controlled environment. In an office, everyone works. However, in a home, everyone lives. Therefore, if a situation arises in the home and then leaks into the office, it has to be solved or else no work will be done.

What is really happening is that one person sees the space as a home, a place to relax, chat and socialize, while the other sees the space as both a home, and an office. For both people to be happy in their space, what needs to happen is open communication. Sit down and talk with one another about what you need from the space and when you need it.

Many times people have questions or want to talk the minute you sit down to work – I am not sure why this is, but it would be easier if they knew at 9 a.m. when the door shuts, you are no longer at home but at work?

On the other hand, what if instead of them talking to you the moment you walk out of the office, they wave or motion for you? This way you are not taken out of your zone. Change is usually difficult, however all in household need to contribute to the solution. I have learned that I need to be more flexible and that one or two minutes off my schedule will not hurt me.

Although altering your habits is important, nothing will be solved unless all those involved make an effort to change. Working at home and trying to concentrate as if you were in an office setting will not work. Setting up guidelines with all in agreement should give a positive outcome for one working in the home to be able to concentrate.

Posted:Monday, April 28, 2008