One of the most common misconceptions about working at home is the idea that it is often the easier and superior alternative compared to working at the office. Not only is it a misconception, but many people who think that working from home is their ticket to success often find themselves hit by culture shock as they try to get used to combining work and home responsibilities.

Fortunately, while it might be problematic to work at home — especially for those running a business — there is no need for the process to be frantic and stressful. While there are no miracle solutions for success, there are quite a few secrets that the stay-at-home business owner can use to get ahead.

Why the office schedule is important

Here’s something that might come as a surprise to those working from home — a flexible schedule does not mean that things will be easier. It can mean the exact opposite as people will get used to putting things off to the last minute, such as in this study showing how harmful it is for employees to expect work outside of the usual hours. It gets to the point where expectations outside of work hours isn’t just harmful to employees, but their families as well. The idea is to have a cut-off point where you can destress and relax. Otherwise, constantly being connected to work will only cause burnout given enough time.

The reason why an office schedule is so important is that it is designed to help the body get used to the responsibilities. This is why even those working at home would do well to adhere to an office schedule or risk getting overwhelmed by the various responsibilities.

Mixing home and work responsibilities is more than possible

The first step to mixing home and work responsibilities and maintaining a balance is to build a necessary schedule. That way, household members know not to disturb you, and you get used to a routine. It also helps you disassociate from work outside of working hours, ensuring that you can focus on responsibilities outside of work. The trouble with the flexible schedule is it never feels like you can relax as work is always at the back of your mind.

You can mix home and work responsibilities by taking advantage of some wellness products. For example, organic CBD from One Farm by Waayb has many potential health benefits that a surprising number of people swear by.

Getting dressed for success 

One of the most surprising secrets about working from home is the fact that dressing as though you are heading out to the office can have a surprising effect on productivity. It can make you feel prepared for work, providing a surprisingly easy way to motivate individuals working at home. It’s easy to feel lazy when you haven’t slipped out of your pyjamas, but things take a turn for the better when you dress up for work. 

It is by no means a mandatory part of working from home, but it is a rather humorous secret that getting dressed as though you are heading to the office can have positive effects on your work ethic. That said, all of the best-practice methods above will surely help you make the most out of your opportunities as a stay-at-home business owner.