Summary:
Your house guests probably think you´re just surfing the Internet but truth is, you´re trying to work! As a work from home business person, it´s not always possible to entertain your house guests and get the work done. This article addresses these concerns. First electronic rights were previously granted to TheWAHMmagazine, where it was first published. All rights have since reverted back to me. I am offering usage rights only.

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Details or Sample:
Working from Home with Guests in the House

One of the problems with working from home arises when house guests arrive. It’s not always possible to coordinate your time off with the arrival of house guests. Visitors usually understand this and entertain themselves while their hosts go to work. But what happens when your work takes place under the same roof?

While your visitors may understand that you work from home in theory, once they arrive, they tend to forget. Even if you are banging out a report on your laptop computer, your guests will assume that you’re playing solitaire or surfing the Internet. Endless questions and constant chatter will slow you down. A project that might have taken a half hour to complete will stretch out. You’ll find yourself at the end of the day having spent hours trying to work yet accomplishing nothing.

While your partner has the luxury of grabbing a cup of coffee and dashing off to the office each day, you’re stuck with house guests who want your attention. After all, they are on vacation! They don’t understand that while your work at home job may be flexible, it’s not going to go away just because they arrived.

What’s a work at home host to do?

Establish boundaries. Do this before and during their stay. State upfront that you must get your work done each day and that you will need quiet time when working. Even if you don’t usually work regular hours, now is the time to set a schedule and stick to it. For example, tell your guests that you will be working from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM each morning (or whatever hours work for you) and that you will be unavailable during that time. This way everyone will know what your “office hours” are and can plan accordingly.

When your start time rolls around, look at your watch and say, “It’s time to go to work.” Whatever you do, don’t head to work in your pajamas! By dressing appropriately, you are showing your guests that you take your business seriously and that when you say you have to go to work, you mean it.

Have a designated office. If your guest room doubles as your office, you have a challenge that you must deal with before they arrive. Set up a temporary office elsewhere even if it means moving your computer and fax machine into your bedroom. It’s best to set up shop where you can work privately. A wi-fi laptop gives you the freedom to work just about anywhere including the living room couch. However, if you are working in the same room as your guests are lounging, you’ll be at their beck and call.

Get them out of the house. Before your guests arrive, start a list of activities and destinations that they might enjoy. Your list might include the local art museum, master gardener’s lecture at the library, zoo, adult swim at the city pool, winery tours, or ranger-led hikes at the nature preserve. Keep your eyes out for possible activities and add them to your list. Your guests may have other plans which is fine. As long as they’re out having fun, you can get your work done.

Get yourself out of the house. If you can’t get the guests to go somewhere, you go. If you’re a telecommuter, try to schedule a couple of days to work at the office. Do you have products to deliver? If you’re a freelance writer, why not take your laptop and write in the peace and quiet of the library?

Let them babysit. If you have little ones at home, let your visitors babysit. If your guests happen to be the grandparents, they are likely visiting to see the grandchildren anyway. Take advantage of their offer to watch the kids while you work. Set them up with art supplies, cookie making supplies, snacks, and everything they will need and then go lock yourself up in your office.

If you can, take some time off. While you may not be able to take the entire week off, you might be able to spend a day or two with your guests. Consider taking the morning or afternoon off and getting your work done in the evening while your partner entertains your guests.

When you must work from home with a house full of guests, it’s important to have a plan and communicate your needs. Let your guests know when you’ll be working and give them plenty of ideas to occupy their time. In fact, your visitors may be relieved to know that they are free to head out and see the sights on their own. Give them permission to come and go. With a good plan in place, you can have happy house guests and get some of your work done.

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