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Ask Slashdot: What Are Your Tips For Working From Home?

Posted by Soulskill on from the play-with-the-thermostat-as-much-as-you-want dept.

ichard writes "In a couple of months I'm going to start working from home full-time. I've been thinking about the obvious things like workspace ergonomics, but I'm sure there are more subtle considerations involved in a zero-minute commute. What are other Slashdot readers' experiences and recommendations for working from home? How do you stay focused and motivated?"

4 of 480 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Have a morning routine by aoteoroa · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Fully agree. I liked to get up have a shower, get dressed, then step out of the apartment walk up the street and grab a coffee, then walk home...and start work. The process of stepping out the door had a psychological effect of getting me ready for work.

  2. Re:Close the door. by Maniacal · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Big +1 on this one. It's essential that your family/friends/etc recognize that when you're in there you're "at work" and need to be treated as such. That being said, be flexible if your company is. Sometimes when working from home I'll run and pickup my kid from school even though my wife usually does that. Just because he'll think it's cool that dad picked him up and it's a nice break in the day. My work is based on accomplishments, not hours so I have that flexibility and I use it.

    Couple of other things:

    1) Get ready for work! Don't just slump out of bed and jump in the chair. Eat breakfast, take a shower, get dressed. You'll be more productive, I guarantee it.
    2) Don't get caught in the trap of working too much. When your work is at home it can be hard to walk away from it. If you're done for the day, stay done.

    --
    MG
  3. Re:Have a morning routine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    My brother-in-law works from home and has a very set routine. He gets up at the same time every day, showers, shaves, dresses, eats breakfast, and then he takes the kids to school. On the way back, he stops at the 7-11 and fills his commuter mug with coffee. He goes back home, comes in the other entrance, and walks straight to his home office. When the day is done, he reverses the process, picking up the kids, and coming home, with them, through the front door.

    He claims it's the transitions from home mode to work mode and back again that makes it doable.

  4. Re:Close the door. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Sign up at a gym or something that gets you out for a reason and then schedule it. It can be flexible but don't spend all your time at work.