How to cope with family interruptions

One of the motivations behind working from home may have been so you could enjoy a peaceful, quiet and interruption free working environment. Only now you realise that you hadn’t fully anticipated how to deal with the interruptions from family and friends.

 
It is important to establish ground rules for all aspects of working from home, but for now I will be covering a few techniques to use that will help keep interruptions to a minimum. 
 
Let them know you are working
Have some form of a visual reminder that you are working. This will vary depending on whether your home office is in a separate room or incorporated in an already functioning room. One technique I recommend is the traffic light system, this works especially well if you have young children. Create a traffic light with your children to hang where everyone can see it. When you need to be free from interruptions attach the red light (made from card). Amber can indicate that the family will need to ask if they can interrupt you and green can indicate when you are available.
You could also say that if the office door is closed don’t interrupt or have a simple sign saying ‘I’m working’.
 
Set a schedule
You need to create a schedule, let everyone know what your schedule is and stick to it. If you say you are going to work 9-5 but are in the office every evening and weekend when you promised to spend time with the family it will cause confusion. Make sure to work when you say you will and if you do need to change your schedule, let the family know.
On your schedule include when your lunch break will be and make sure to take it. This isn’t only to help with family interruptions but to help with your own health and work/life balance, as this can be difficult when working at home.
 
A few extra helpful ideas
Use your caller ID and voice mail to deal with any phone calls that are not business related. You are then able to make personal phone calls during a more suitable time.
 
Don’t feel you have to meet up with friend for lunch, just because they are on holiday. Consistently maintain a professional business outlook so that everyone will respect the fact that you are working.
 
Be prepared to politely let family know that you need to continue with your work. 
 
Interruptions will be part of your working life, the key is what you do to reduce the amount you are interrupted and what you do when you are.
 
By Rachael Ross of purelypeppermint.com
The Home and Office Organising Expert