Others Don't Respect My Time or Office Hours

Best thing to do is get away from the distractions and set a schedule. Or even go to the local library. You cannot work with all that noise.

Have you told them exactly what you just posted to all of us?
Communicate, Negotiate and ummm Hopefully things head upwards for you.

Where are you based?

Whilst I was living in London I used a shared office. It was
inexpensive and everyone else was working so the environment
was brilliant - everyone getting stuff done!

Imran's idea is a good one; libraries have set areas for people
to work on there laptops (that's if you have one). I wouldn't
take your PC in there

You need to find a way to remove distractions. I actually find working at 2:00 in the morning to be quite effective ;-)

Yep - same here for me in the beginning.

Once I realized the best use of my time was finding a good place to work, it was much better.

Don't do anything else until you've sorted your desk in your room

Lauryn,

There are many solutions to this kind of problem, but each situation is different. I have a piece about this prepared for my series on Art of Blog's copywriting section. Anyhow, the best advice I have is to deal with the situation tactfully and explain to others just how serious you are about this and ask for their help in making you successful. The cats might not understand, but the rabbit, dog, and others are likely to get it

Our one cat just got 4 kittens and the other cat got 4 a week later. I know it sounds crazy but right now we have a total of 11 (!) cats. We need to wait til the kittens are bigger so we can give them away.

I constantly have the 4 babies on my lap.... I certainly know how i feels .)

Time to move into the back yard, even just for your business! Hot new and growing trend of tiny buildings, houses and offices. Cool little niche...
Eco-Friendly Tiny Houses
Dave

Closed office door + Headphones + classical tunes. Works for me when my kids stay at home.

George, 11 cats can drive you crazy. Watch out brother!

Most people don't understand that "work from home" is not the same as "home from work."

Similarly, I woke up this morning and spent 45 minutes worshiping the porcelain god. (I'm Scots-Irish; I drink a lot on Friday nights.) When I was mor or less finished, I walked out to make some coffee and was greeted with "oh, good, you're up."

STFU.

Your housemates - spouse, children, whatever - need to be trained. They'll resist, but they'll learn.

Work with a very stern look on your face...

This always works for me, people don't want to talk to me while I'm looking stern and menacing. If they do disturb you, act disgusted - tell them that if you catch them within a 3m radius you're going to bite their nose off and feed it to your cats.

--

In all seriousness though, you just have to be firm with them. People expect that if you're around, you're accessible. It's up to you to train them otherwise.

If your partner/an adult harasses you while you're working, call them up every 30 mins, like clockwork, at their office - and chat for 5 mins. When they start to get fed up of this, tell them that it's exactly the same for you and that they have to respect your work.

If it's children who distract you, they're easier to deal with - psychological warfare isn't the best strategy with children, distraction is. Give them something engaging or entertaining to do: a DVD or a game always works for me.

Ultimately, you're in control - if you find that you can't maintain control, it might be time to remove yourself from the situation while you're working...

Grab the laptop and head out somewhere quiet.

Good luck.

that is a big problem...

my friends call me anytime if they have any work and ask me to come over ..
like i am at home does not mean i don't have a job or things to do..

Now i have started clearly saying NO

it's hard to focus with distractions like that. Get that door fixed asap. Otherwise, work at night or give your housemates a reason to be out of the house (send them away!).

wow sounds like my life back in the day. My mom saying, oh I will show guest off since they dont consider this a job, hello....okay rants done.

First, respect your own time and let them clearly know that. I mean have a ZERO tolerance for people disturbing you. Some people (wont mention names) dont call in the day time since they are scared as they understand now that this is my time to work. P

People are trained, if you let them talk to you, they will keep. If you let them know, hey I am busy (be dramatic at first), they will leave you alone.

Here is one trick; I ask questions that they would not know or have no interest in. Make sure they have no interest or this will backfire, yeah it sounds silly. Example -"we sold 100 of this product and I am not sure where is came from since we did no marketing, would you know why? (again this apply to person and area of interest, this is for someone who hates data).

Set the standard

Cheers,
Mukul

Go to Borders, B & N, the library... sometimes that's what I gotta do to "get away."

If you really prefer working at home, why not put a work area for you that shouldn't be disturbed by anyone there. Set your work schedule and free time.

It'll really be a waste of money if you would be spending much of your time non-work related. I guess that's one downside in working at home but I'm sure you'll be able to work around it. Just be firm.

Being old and grumpy works for me. Grandkids know when Papa is working stay out of his way. But I'm a pushover for them and it usually only takes 1 Papa puleeezeeeeeeeeee

My wife of 47 years knows to put on the special TV ears for watching TV and turn the actual TV down as low as she can get it and to stay out of my office when I'm working. Actually she comes in to rub my shoulders or run her fingers through my very thinning hair and all work ceases for a few minutes. Then I tell her to get OUT! (do you really believe that )

Seriously you are going to have to set boundaries. Otherwise you will have to live with the consequences.

Ken Leatherman

The Old Geezer

I sooooo soooo feel for you. 4 kids 3 dogs 2 cats a rabbit and a trained attack goldfish here.
Luckily my house is big enough to go to the other side of it and get some quiet. Were debating getting a small sub-200$ office in our area for when we need that extra separation.
I feel your pain. Hope you come up with a solution

Darklock - Your housemates - spouse, children, whatever - need to be trained. They'll resist, but they'll learn.

Amen - What more can you say?

Stop being missus Nice "GIRL".

Perhaps a spray bottle with cold water to chase the animals away.

And ... if necessary ... the humans, too!

8-)

When we were moving, I needed my computers up until the last minute, but not the computer desks (mine & my wife's). I used two fairly sturdy 20 x 30 inch folding tables as my computer desks.
Get something and move into the bedroom!

Cats are not too bad, but the ones that think they can type can be a pain.

Lauryn, it all comes down to you. You're the one that has to lay down the law. Time is the most precious resource that we have so it is important that we respect it and at the same time make others do it too.

A common trap that we fall into is treating other people's urgencies/crisis as our own. You should approach this with the mindset that unless you are in immediate physical danger (ex the house is on fire) you will not move, respond or interact with anything no matter if it has 2 feet or 4 feet.

Once you have blocked a certain time for working and use it only with this purpose you can go and reward yourself by spending quality/play time with either your family, friends or pets.

This will reinforce the working habit and make you approach that time of the day with anticipation because you know that after it, comes the period of leisure and play.

I've worked at home for over 20 years.

First, you have to ask yourself if you're contributing to the problem. When you work, are you working? Or do you engage in conversations just because they're going on around you? Do you answer the phone and chit-chat? Wander into the kitchen and spend half an hour talking with whoever is there? If you don't take "work time" seriously, nobody else will, either.

Part of the benefit of working at home is not having to maintain set hours, but this can confuse others. They don't know when you're working and you can't exactly say "these are the hours when I work and don't want to be disturbed." That said, some people are more productive when they have set hours they work and if you are and you do that, then let everyone know what your work hours are and let them know you are WORKING during those times.

People who are IN your home need to be trained. If you don't have a door to close, then you need to give them some other kind of signal that you're actually working and not goofing off on the internet. Headphones work really well and they have the added benefit of blocking out background noises that are distracting. When you take a break, make it clear that it's a break - like any office worker gets. Time yourself, if you must. Same goes for meals.

Don't answer the door and don't answer your phone. If you must answer your phone, tell the person you're working and you'll call them back later - then don't allow them to suck you into a conversation.

Don't let people drag you into volunteer work or babysitting for them because "you're home all day." I cannot tell you how many people over the years have tried to take advantage of me because I work at home, from family members to teachers to parents of my children's schoolmates. If you are consistent in telling them "I would love to do that but I have to work," they will eventually get the message. If you're not consistent; i.e., you occasionally give in (likely because it's something you want to do), they won't. If you really want to do something someone is asking you to do, tell them you need to check and see if you can clear your calendar first and you'll get back to them. It sends a message that you have commitments and a schedule just like a "real" office worker - it's the equivalent of requesting time off at a company. Don't ever put work aside for a last-minute interruption.

I don't answer my front door, but confess it's connected to my telephone's intercom system. I will pick up the phone to see who's there, but that's much less disruptive than going to the door and telling someone to get lost. I've told family members they need to call before they show up at my front door and I can give them 5 minutes then I need to get back to work.

Granted, my primary home-based business all these years has been one with strict deadlines, which I don't have in IM, so the need to work at certain times and get a specific amount of work done was a real one. I see no need to enlighten anyone that circumstances have changed!

as an internet marketer, working from home seems like smartest thing to do. You are self-employed so there is no reason to lease another venue, right? WRONG! I had similar problems a few months back. Nobody respected my job as a job and, therefore, thought I was available all the time to do whatever (go pick up my sister from practice, take the dog to the vet, weed the garden etc. etc.). All stuff that nobody would ever call someone out of an office to do. So, I leased office space. It cost a pretty penny but my production has been up and I find myself spending the majority of my time here. I recommend it. You can find something within your budget and it is well worth it!

The best thing I have ever done for my business was move it outside the home. I pretty much use the local library as my office every day of the week but Tuesday since thats when there closed. My productivity shot through the roof. I'm contemplating a shared office but the advantage of the library right now is that it's right down the street. A simple 2 minute walk.

At first I felt a little weird cause this a is a small town library, but after 2 days I felt fine. I honestly wish I would have done something like this sooner, I think what held me back is the fact I have really nice office space at home. It's just with a wife and 2 kids even if you have an office your still on call for daddy duty.

ya just need to work on your "death eyes"

... as in, if I'm looking at you like this, you're
1 step away from death ....

Look into some shared office space in your local area also known as co-working space. It's MUCH cheaper than your own office space and comes with many goodies. If you don't want to or can't spend the money, libraries are always good!

I am so glad I came across this thread! I had envisioned everyone else on here sitting in their nice, quiet offices at home. I am so glad I'm not the only one trying to set boundaries. My 3 dogs and 1 cat consider my office their bedroom....this, so far, has not been a problem. It's the damn humans! I asked them one day if I was a lawyer working from home and was seeing a client in my office, would you just barge in and ask me what's for dinner??!?!?!?! After some weird faces they all said no, they would never do that. I asked them why....they said it would be disrespectul, unprofessional and rude. My family does have their bright moments! Then....I just sat there and smiled until I could see the light go off in each of their heads! I thought I had finally made my point! Then.....as my 18 year old, 6'4", 290lb. son was walking out of my office he said....but you still didn't tell us what's for dinner!!!!! God he's lucky I love him so much!!!!

I think it all boils down to balancing. I have to balance when I work outside of my home and have to do the same with a home office.

It is frustrating as hell at times but, never missing my son's hockey games or a cuddle from the dogs, or a surprise call from my granchildren......makes the balancing all worth it.

Set up a schedule that works for you and the other people in the house by having a meeting letting everyone know the time you have set aside to work and to not disturb you during these hours. If that don't work then hurry up and get the small desk. Good Luck!!!

I have 4 little kids at home and gave up on people respecting what I do many years ago.

I have about 6 coffee shops with wifi on my list.

I dont "work from home" I work from anywhere I want to go with my laptop at anytime I have the chance to work.

Maybe you could have fun exlporing your area.

When I work at home I usually do so after every one is in bed, for me that is after 11 pm. I find I am super productive between 11-2 am. Any time before then is touch and go because there are constant distractions.

If I need to get work done after my day job I usually head out to the local Starbucks. You can get free wi-fi if you register a starbucks card. And the best part is you only need to make one purchase a month to keep your account active.

Like Imran said also, libraries are a great option, but it can be a little too quiet for me.

1. Work earlier while everyone is still sleeping.
2. Delegate. Let the people know your schedule (work and household chores) and ask them how they can help.
3. If you finish your work early, use that time to spend with them.

You need to make your space work-friendly. I cannot echo the above sentiments about a good set of headphones loud enough. Lay out the rules and then insist that they are followed. This means by you too. If you can't take your work seriously, there is no way to expect that anyone else can either.

If you do all that and it still isn't working, then you either need to remove yourself from the situation (shared office/library) or work when everyone else is sleeping. Both of those can be good and productive options.

i guess another approach is
head to the nearest library
either public library or uni library
and work from there

have you tried talking to everyone? nicely of course, tell them that from x:xx - x:xx you at working?

Have you considered getting your own place?

Holy resurrected thread, Batman!

Tottaly get you I got 5 in the house + 2 cats, its crazy

Realistically some locations in the home are considered to be public domain.

If it's a small house, or there aren't any isolate rooms, you're kind of out of luck.

Goto the library if you must.

Definite boundaries need to be established -

Give them crazy analogies like: "if I was a surgeon, would you just come in and ask me a question while I was operating? - no."

Look at Michelangelo...here he was, trying to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling - but people kept bugging HIM because he was "just lying around all day..."

If he had let them...he probably would have ended up painting the Sistine Chapel floor...

Yeah - I do try the "write at night" thing...

Then they ask, "can't you just do that in the daytime?"

And cats couldn't give a rat's bladder what YOU want...

you could be on fire, and they just look at you like..."so, are you going to FEED ME? or WHAT!"