Over 17 million people who work at home know the importance of hard work, but a work at home rut can be dangerous.  Being able to relax and have fun while working is most likely a primary reason they chose a home based business anyway.  However, those same business owners will tell you that having an office in the house can sometimes create a work at home rut.

For many people, a work at home rut begins because they do not know how to set limits.  It is important for people with a home office not only to create a schedule, but to also stick to it.  A set schedule can help business owners create a boundary between work and a life so that they can avoid the work at home rut, or worse – burnout.  After all, if you are working at home you are probably doing something you love, and no one wants their passion to turn into their burden.

Keep the work at a variety to avoid the work at home rut.  Sometimes routine can get people down, so try to make sure you mix up the work a bit.  For instance, if you are a freelance writer trying to avoid the work at home rut, vary your assignments throughout the day and then mix in a little bookkeeping and a little marketing.  By keeping variety in your schedule, you can avoid boredom and other pitfalls of the work at home rut.  The great thing about being your own boss is that you have the discretion to do this as you see fit. 

Another way to avoid the work at home rut is to make sure you get out of the house once in a while.  It is easy for many people to do all their work at home and then hang out at home and sleep at home, and there is the work at home rut – they never leave the home behind.  If you work at home, make sure you get out for more than just running errands.  Make plans to go out with friends for dinner.  Volunteer or become part of a social or professional group.  Take a class.  Do whatever you can to make sure you don’t hole yourself up in your house and become a hermit to avoid that work at home rut.