Adam Ferrari Discusses How to Maintain Separation Between Work and Professional Life When Telecommuting

1. Dress for Work

An obvious part of working in an office is getting ready every morning. Work attire differs from office to office and from day to day, and your home office is no exception. While it is not likely that you will feel a need to wear a business suit to work at your home office daily, you should also not expect that staying in pajamas all day will help with your productivity either. Dressing for your work environment gets your mind ready for a productive day and also promotes a positive self-image.

2. Establish a Separate and Clearly Defined Work Space

Creating your office in a separate room, or at least in an exclusive area inside your home dedicated only to work, gives you an essential mental “commute” from living space to workspace every day. Keep distractions like radio and TV away from your dedicated workspace. Also, be sure that family members understand the boundaries of your workspace and respect your privacy when you are at work. This process does not mean that you must spend 8 hours a day locked away at your work desk, but it does mean that when you take breaks from work that you physically move from your workspace to your living space.