Member Article

Lone working – a productivity peril or wellbeing wonder?

When it comes to picturing an ideal work scenario many might consider taking greater control and (perhaps) replacing the rigid routines that often wear them out with a more autonomous work life that complements and promotes a better life for them all round.

Many are pursuing this aspiration and lone working – be it as a sole trader or an employed remote worker – seems to account for a significant number of UK workers today.

Indeed, according to Office for National Statistics’ February to April figures published in June this year, of the 31.95 million people in work in the UK, 4.8 million (15 per cent) are self-employed – an increase of over 100,000 against comparable 2016 figures.1 And this doesn’t account for those who work for a business but do so alone which, undoubtedly, further swells the ranks of lone workers.

But while the dream of having more control over your day-to-day activities may be realised, it’s inevitable that the grass might not always been greener than anticipated. Pitfalls can include, for example, blurring boundaries between work and down time as well as feelings of being cut off from others which, according to ACAS,2 leaves one in three home workers with occasional or frequent feelings of isolation. And those who are self-employed will know only too well that holidays can prove to be logistical headache, as well as a financial one (if you’re turning down work because you’re away).

Since winning your work independence – whether you remain connected to others (albeit remotely) or are striking out in the world of self-employment for the first time – can be a case of swings and roundabouts, here’s some thoughts that might help you stay on top of your new working mode.

1. Create healthy boundaries Quite often you’ll be harder on yourself than with others. Therefore, work out the hours of the day when you’re most productive and when your clients are most likely to need you, and structure your days around this. Remember that working all hours or taking unnecessary calls at ‘silly o’clock’ might, ultimately, do you no favours. By having a clear boundary between work and ‘home’ life, you’ll most likely find you have more focus and more energy to tackle your tasks.

2. Energy It may sound obvious but look after yourself. When you grab lunch or have cause to pause, try to resist remaining where you’ve been working. Stretch your legs and get a change of scene. When it comes to nourishment, pick foods that will give you enough energy for the rest of your day and avoid overdoing it on caffeine and sugary foods if you can as these will only make you feel more tired in the long run.

3. A network that works for you You don’t necessarily need to have a boss, a team or colleagues working near you to benefit from kinship, camaraderie and support. You can develop your own network of people upon whom you can call through sites such as LinkedIn or you can take advantage of professional membership organisations.

4. Take on isolation If you’re a home worker feeling the pinch of isolation why not explore ways you can be around others. This could, for example, include working online from a coffee shop a few times a week or desk-renting in a co-working space. Additionally, think traditional over digital when it comes to communication. Talk over the phone rather than emailing and try face-to-face business catch-ups if you can.

5. Your space The environment in which you work can have a big impact on your productivity. For example, natural light can have a positive effect on sleep patterns,3 which in turn can bolster productivity during your waking – and working – hours. Therefore get plenty of light in. And for home workers, when it comes to physical boundaries, define your work area and separate it from the rest of your home so that work doesn’t take over your whole home and life!

Working on you own can be both a liberating adventure and a steep learning curve. So, of course, make the most of it but be prepared for the lone worker challenges too, so you can better invest your energy in the success of your enterprise.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chris Horlick, Distribution Director for AXA PPP healthcare .