How to Manage the Change from Cubicle to Home Office 

Relocating to a home office, whether you’ve convinced your boss to let you work from home or you’ve decided to launch your own business, can be a tremendously exciting time. You’re no longer required to dress for work, you can set your own hours and you don’t have anyone breathing down your neck, well not literally anyway. 

However, before you get too excited, hold onto that happy dance. There are some adjustments to be aware of. Know what to expect and how to manage the change and yes, you will be doing a happy dance all the way home.

Here’s how to manage the change from cubicle to home office.

#1  Be prepared for a bit of culture shock. It’s easy to think that working from home is ideal however if you’re also caring for family members while you’re at home working or you’re accustomed to interacting with people on a regular basis, there are going to be some serious changes in your life. 

Be prepared for these changes mentally and emotionally. Think about challenges that are going to come up due to this new lifestyle and brainstorm solutions. 

For example, if you’re accustomed to working in a very social environment you may miss this when you’re working from home. A solution may be to join a networking group, a fitness class or team, or to have lunch with friends on a regular basis so you don’t feel so isolated.

#2  Understand what does and doesn’t motivate you and embrace it. Once you’re working from home, it may be difficult to get motivated. The kitchen is full of tasty items, errands and chores beckon and the television is only a few feet away. It can all be quite distracting. Yet, you still need to get work done, things need to be accomplished. 

So what motivates you?  Money is a common motivator and if you’re starting your own business, it’s a big one. Success and accomplishments are also motivating because you feel pride. Learn what motivates you and use it. 

#3  Schedule yourself. Give yourself time to work and time to relax. When you work from home while it’s easy to avoid work, it’s also easy to work all day and all night because you can’t really get away from it. Create a schedule, plan and manage your time, and follow basic life/work balance strategies so you still feel fulfilled in all areas of our life. 

Planning plays an important role in managing the change. Plan when you’re going to work on specific projects. Prioritize tasks, and of course plan how you’re going to celebrate or relax. 

#4 Create an environment that supports productivity and success. Make sure you have the home office equipment you need. Make sure your office is set up for productivity meaning it’s organized and comfortable, and eliminate distractions. A home office with a door is a very good thing!

Making the transition from a cubicle to a home office can take some time however, once you get the hang of it, you’ll likely find it’s the best decision you could have made. To your success!

