Tips for working an office-style job from your home.

Tips for Working from Home:

Make a space

               This space needs to be comfortable, but not TOO comfortable, and have few distractions.  It needs to offer the quiet environment you need and allow you to focus on your work without thinking about kids or other distractions

Don’t watch the kids, do chores, etc

               For full time WFH, it is unlikely that you’ll be able to do your best work if you’re also attending to children.  This is the reason a lot of people want to work from home.  I suppose if you can do it and get away with it, OK, but for me, they would be wanting too much attention and cause too many interruptions. My children know that, when Dad’s at work and the office door is closed, they stay away.  When my wife has to work, we get a baby-sitter.

               If someone calls you and needs you to do something, say no.  If the spouse wants you to watch kids while they run errands, say no. You are AT WORK (PERIOD).

Create a social Context

               The lack of human contact can be very isolating.  Create your own social outlet through a religious organization, hobby or enthusiasts group, etc.  It’s tough to justify this if you’re working long hours and you have a family, but, at least for me, it really is necessary to maintain an even keel.

Pretend someone is watching you.

               Discipline is tough, and it’s easy to let it break down when no one can see what you’re doing.

Get Exercise!

               You don’t realize how much you move when going to the office, and being at the office.  Much of this very simple movement can be lost if you work from your home.  It is VITAL that you find a way to get exercise.  Go for a walk over lunch, join a gym, do tai chi, whatever suits you, but for heaven’s sake, do something!