Work From Home Tips
Posted on 22. Apr, 2009 by [modern media mom] in Personal Growth, Productivity, Resources, Work From Home Series, Working
Staying in your pajamas.
Potty breaks whenever you want.
Fabulous break room.
Flexibility.
These are some of the ‘supposed’ perks that people fixate on when they are thinking about working from home.
But in reality, working from home requires discipline (Hello, Distraction!), quick-thinking (kids fighting in the background while you are on the phone with a client) and dedication (no more leaving your work at the office or ending your work day at 5:00pm).
It is fabulous. It is wonderful. And it’s wildly crazy.
In 2 weeks, I will be starting a series on Working From Home. I’ve got a great book that I will review and copies to give away. There will be loads of useful information.
If you are considering working from home (whether starting something on your own, or through your employer) or you are already doing it, but find yourself struggling to make it work or work efficiently, this series is for you.
So sound off:
What are your thoughts on working from home? If you do, what do you do that makes it work for you?
(photo: dr.jd)
oh amanda
Apr 22nd, 2009
I have no tips! But I’ve been wondering about this b/c I *may* be starting a semi-part-part-time job from home. I’d love to hear how to balance MY MOST important job of being a mom to a 3yo and 7mo!
sprittibee
Apr 22nd, 2009
I love FlyLady’s ideas about getting dressed to the shoes and make-up even if you are at home. Honestly, it works. It makes you much more apt to stay busy and focused… much more ready should an errand or out-of-house appointment spring up, and able to answer the door if someone pops in!
I also like her idea of splitting your office up to zones and keeping it clutter free. Her routines idea to keep your basic chores done and things organized so you don’t get overwhelmed….
I use her dayplanner ideas, too. Working from home would be impossible without a calendar, a file cabinet and filing system, and a method to your madness.
While I don’t work in the traditional sense (I hardly make any money), I do consider blogging and homeschooling to be very rewarding jobs. Managing them along with housekeeping and being our family CFO keeps me BUSY. To say the least.
Oh, and then there’s the infant I just added to the mix. Sheesh. No wonder my filing system and everything else on the list has been suffering! And here I am ‘distracted’ by Twitter and blogs!
Dawn @ My Home Sweet Home
Apr 22nd, 2009
I agree with Sprittibee that I have to have make-up and shoes before I’m ready for the day. The hardest thing for me is keeping home time and work time separated. With everything here in the same place, it’s hard to draw the line.
Laryssa @ Heaven In The Home
Apr 23rd, 2009
I already work from home, running my blog and art business. So, I’m excited to read these upcoming posts! Thanks!
Sheri
Apr 23rd, 2009
Having worked at home since before the first of my five children was born, it’s been years of making my own schedule–and my own distractions!
A few tricks make it easy:
* time awareness assists in time management
* create boundaries
* create structures
* be flexible — isn’t that why you’re working at home!
Jodi
Apr 23rd, 2009
I have been working from home for three years for Motorola. Motorola videotaped me in order to help other employees make the transition to working from home. Here are some of the things I shared:
- My husband and I save over $1000 a month by me working from home.
- I save 56 hours in commute time which either goes back to the company or to me personally.
- I am more productive at home because there are less distractions (like those long what did you do this weekend conversations). When I hang up from one meeting I can be on the next in less than a minute instead of losing time walking from confernce room to conference room.
- My cholesterol drop 70 points because I am eating at home which is healthier.
- I am able to have more time for my son because I can get him earlier. I either bike to him at lunch to nurse him or I go to the gym over lunch.
- All my manager’s have loved me working from home because on average the company saves over $8K per year/per employee.
- It is fabulous if you work on an international team. Working from home you can start earlier which means more time overlaps with EMEA.
Things to beware of:
- The biggest obsticale is dealing with people who have misconceptions of working from home and have not done it. However, most people who are up on technology are up for working from home.
- Know when to close the laptop. Everyone I know ends up working longer hours from home.
- Cabin Fever – I think it is important to leave for lunch. If you cannot I will open the windows and walk around the house while I am on conference calls that do not require my computer.
Kristen
Apr 26th, 2009
I work from home too and find that the hardest struggle is setting the boundary lines of when work stops! When your office is your home, you have a tendency to keep working! At least I do. I literally have to go out on my days “off” so that I can really relax. Otherwise I’m much more apt to keep working.
lyle robinson
May 5th, 2009
Hi Karla and thanks for this post. I found the link on a facebook comment on Lynn T’s FB page and I’m soooo glad that I did…:) I’m looking forward to the start of the series and judging from all I’ve read so far, I have no doubt that it’s going to be great. I’ve been working form home for the past nine years or so and if I could offer one small piece of advice…take a lunch hour. Or, if you can’t get away because of children or what-not, then try and take a few minutes of “me” time. Contrary to popular belief working from home, especially at the beginning, can be just as, if not more stressful than a 9-5 job and a little alone time to unwind and enjoy a nice cup of coffee (or tea in my place) can do wonders for reviving the soul…:) Take care and all the best.
Lyle