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Working away from home, however necessary, can be a very trying situation, taking you away from your family, and placing you in a strange situation.
There are many reasons people end up working away from home, including to further career prospects, to provide for your family, and also to fulfil your job duties, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t done without sacrifice, and it can take quite a toll on you on many different levels.
Surviving your time away can be much easier if you know what to expect and properly prepare for it. Read these handy tips for making being away from home as easy and cost effective as possible, so that you may be as productive and successful as you can.
1. Schedule in Advance
When work takes you away from home it can leave you feeling quite isolated and lonely, as well as cause a certain amount of disconnect between yourself and your family and friends. It is important to still be involved in the important things, and plan ahead when you will be coming home, and what occasions you will be able to participate in. Make sure to schedule these visits home well in advance. Before even leaving or work take into consideration how long you will be gone and plan regular visits home, taking into consideration the cost and length of travel time back and forth. Having pre arranged visits home will give you something to look forward to when times get tough.
2. Be Budget Conscious
It is important to remember the sole reason for going away to work is to better your financial situation. Income is the driving factor, so it is important to budget accordingly, and try and minimise your expenses while away working, so you will still have the means to maintain your life back home. Factors to consider when planning your budget is accommodation, and whether you or your company are responsible for those expenses, meals, and the cost of travelling home for visits.
3. Accommodation
Where you stay while away at work is a very important factor to consider. Although it is not desirable to incur a lot of expenses while away working, it is important to find a place that you are comfortable in, accommodates your needs and provides a suitable environment for you until you can be home again. The length of time you will be away will be indicative of the type of accommodations that will be best suited to your needs. Short periods of time might be spent just fine in the comforts of a hotel or motel setting, but if you are required to spend longer periods of time there, it is more economical and comforting to rent a house or flat. Serviced apartments may be the perfect solution in both scenarios, offering comfortable and homelike accommodations for a variety of needs, as apartments are available in a range of options, offering services to help make adjusting and being far from home easier, and more convenient.
4. Weigh the Payoffs Against the Drawbacks
Financial gain, however important cannot be the only reason for making such a sacrifice. Leaving home for work can offer many benefits including a higher earning potential, gaining variable skills and knowledge, career advancement and the ability to see and experience different places. Consider which of those benefits, if any apply to your opportunity, and if they outweigh the drawbacks. It is important to carefully consider the negative aspects of working away from home. If you have a spouse or children, how will being away effect the family unit, is it worth leaving once you have factored in the costs, how long you will be away for, and what will be missed in that time. Some people will have difficulty being away, and this may affect their productivity and chance to be successful in their job.
5. Stay in Regular Contact
Take advantage of technology and modern communications. The Internet has provided many easily accessible platforms for staying in touch, so be sure to take advantage of those. Instant messaging, emails and video chats can help keep you connected to those you’re closest with, and help fight off feelings of loneliness.
No matter how carefully you approach the prospect of working away from home, it is important to understand it will be difficult, and there are sacrifices that need to be made regardless of how fantastic an opportunity it is. Having a level-headed, well thought out plan will help you be successful and to better cope with the stresses involved. Careful planning and budgeting can make all the difference in your time spent away working.