Being my own boss has always been a goal. Flexible hours, having no one to answer to but myself and being able to work from just about anywhere. Only it doesn’t really work out like that. Being your own boss certainly has its perks, but it also comes with the realisation that you do, in fact, have people to answer to. Another potential work hazard is a poor work-life balance.

IN SOME WAYS, WE’RE ALL OUR OWN BOSS

We often think that there are certain qualifying factors for being a boss. Owning a successful business or having employees, for example, but that’s often not the case. Working for yourself doesn’t necessarily equate to an abundance of power or wealth.

Some of us choose to work on our own terms, for ourselves, around a day job. Others juggle life around degrees or occasional freelance work. Sometimes, being your own boss means little other than having ultimate control and responsibility for how things pan out. It requires a large amount of self-motivation and really just means that the onus for success is on you.

Achieving a good work-life balance can be challenging whatever job you’re in. However, having to work from home as a student, freelancer or as self-employed (the list goes on), can even further blur business and pleasure. I’m one of the people who piles my plate, and as such, am currently employed in an office as well as splitting the rest of my time between a degree and freelance work. For that reason, I know both the pros and cons of employment as well as those of being my own boss.

I know I’m guilty of hitting a mental block from time to time. When the day reaches a certain point, staring out of the window, scrolling through Pinterest or even tackling laundry can seem more manageable than continuing on with the more mundane jobs on my to-do list, which I, of course, left until last. So here are a few simple things that tend to improve my own efficiency when I’m working from home.

KEEP YOUR WORKING ENVIRONMENT FRESH

The best word to describe spending every working day at the same desk, in the same room, is mundane. I can categorically say that I don’t want that for myself. Variety is the spice of life, after all.

A huge benefit of working for yourself is flexibility. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t sent a few emails from the comfort of my bed, but it’s not the best practice. Beds, sofas and any other places which you use for downtime are well worth avoiding when you’re trying to work. They’ll do nothing to encourage a productive mindset and there’s a chance they’ll make you’ll feel lazy and less motivated.

Saying that, I like to keep my environment fresh by having a few go-to working places; the kitchen table, my desk, and weather permitting, some outdoor areas are fair game.

Save