Working from Home
By
Evan Scott
With the advent of high-speed Internet access more and more people are opting to work from home either working for a company, so called telecommuting, or a home computer based business. Working from home can bring many freedoms and flexibilities. You may have dreams of working at home in your bed clothes, not having to deal with rush hour traffic (and high gas prices), or dealing with office politics. But there are several things to consider before venturing in to these waters. Having worked with many telecommuters as well as having SUITE Magazine there are many things I've learned about the home based workforce. This month we'll look at some of the pitfalls, things to consider, and some suggestions if want to work from home.
Home Life verses the Office
You may have gotten a small taste of what you will be facing if you spent a day or two working at home. Maybe you had to stay home to care for a sick child or waiting for the carpet guy to show up. Sure you got a little work done; wrote a few Emails, made some phone calls but did you really accomplish a lot? Not likely. You probably had a few interruptions. Now multiply this to include a full workweek.
At a normal job, outside the home, you are sequestered from the normal distractions that occur at home. But when you are working from home there are many things competing for your time and attention that can pull you from your work. This is the biggest complaint I hear from work at homers. Just because you are in such close proximity it's easy for your kids, spouse, family or friends to knock on your door. It seems innocent enough when your hubby needs you for something and it will, “only take a minute.” Wrong. Even the shortest interruption disrupts your concentration and requires you to settle back into your routine. It all adds up.
Consider how you will handle this. Can you set up a room as an office with a door you can close? At the least, find a quiet corner of the house in a dedicated area. Working in a high traffic area such as the dinner table has drawbacks. Yes you're in a good location to monitor the house and kids but you'll get the distractions to go with it. Also you'll have to clear off the table or push aside your work for meals. That means the next time you work you have to set up your “desk” again, yet another deterrent to your work.
Think about the image you wish to portray over the phone to your clients. When you're on the phone, barking dogs in the background or interrupting a conversation with a client several times to tell your child to stop drawing on the walls does not put forth a good image. An office with a door you can close will improve this.
Wherever your office space is, the key word it ergonomics. Too often, people just set up desk, a computer, and go to work. Think this through very carefully and consider everything. You are going to spend many hours here. Not only does this
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