Flexibility has become more important than ever for workers – a new survey has found that the average Aussie employee is spending 13 hours a week working at home, or about 17 weeks a year.
The survey from Optus found that those working from home, dubbed ‘life splicers’, are in the majority, with only five per cent of respondents stating they don’t bring business home with them at the end of the day.
Almost 70 per cent of Aussie businesses are run from home in the early stages, with over two thirds of the small business owners surveyed stating that the biggest advantage to working from home is avoiding the daily commute. Almost 60 per cent of all respondents said the ability to multi-task between home and work life is also a big draw.
However, there are also a number of downsides to working from home. A third of respondents said they’re often frustrated by tech issues, while 44 per cent cited household chores and children as a distraction.
While being able to avoid office politics is a big tick in the pros column for working from home, the lack of office banter and inability to bounce ideas off others sits on the cons side for a third of workers.
Here are some tips from Natalie Bloom of Bloom Cosmetics, a proud life splicer, on how to manage working from home:
Maximise minutes
Inspiration can come at the unlikeliest of times, but there are a wealth of productivity apps that can help you brainstorm, budget, or plan in even the most fleeting of moments.
Stay connected
There’s nothing more infuriating than being out of touch because of a poor internet connection. Ensuring you have a reliable home broadband and technology setup will give you the confidence that your business is always on, even if you’re relaxing on the couch.
Get in the zone
Make sure you have space dedicated to work – being able to focus your mind at peak times without distractions is important.
Find balance
Juggling work and home life can be claustrophobic, so take time to refresh your environment and your mind by breaking your day up. Something as simple as a short walk can re-energise you and increase productivity.
Network
Being able to bounce ideas off others and get fresh perspectives is vital for any new business. Remember to network and make the most of your contacts; a quick coffee catch up with a friend could give you the insight you’ve been looking for.
