Working from home - Top tips!

Covert Munkey

Covert Munkey

Administrator
My top tip....don't do it!!! LOL

Sat here trying to arrange the 2013 network meeting on a Monday morning and it just doesn't work!

Anyone got any further chat about this and their own personal experiences.....

CM
 
I have at times worked from home and the only times I have got it to work is when there is a separate area without distractions or people coming and going. :)
 
Just watched Kyle hahaha it makes you feel better and normal!
I am at home for a couple of weeks and with less to do I feel I want to do even less! Gym, dog training, lesson prep will wait till next week and bit of house work for the wife and I'm ready for an afternoon film.
 
It depends on your environment, often I have better equipment than most offices, there is no commute so work / life balance is improved and obviously less costs. One thing that makes working from home work for you is have a dedicated area if you have family but everyone is different. I used to have a room like an office but found the ambience was too "work like" for me. I preferred to combine the lounge and big screen with my computer, that way there was less eye strain if I was working on the computer for some time plus if I needed a quick distraction or listen to news or music, it was all there at the touch of a button.

Working in an office as I am at the moment there is constant distraction from other workers and constant phone interruptions as well as clients popping in and staff to manage. This cuts down what I actually get done. In any case with mobile computing working from home doesn't actually have to be at home, it could be the garden, park, beach, in fact anywhere you feel more relaxed. Being "at the office" is probably the least productive place and the cause of more stress in peoples lives. Mostly it is a throwback to the desire of less enlightened employers desire to control their employees and a legacy of a time when information was not portable and communication was difficult. Also it was more cost effective to have one heated building where everyone gathered to exchange ideas.

Some people hate the isolation and derive their social needs from work but with some work colegues having what I can only describe as borderline personality disorders, being at home in the sanctuary of my own Zen like domain is far more productive than any psychiatric waiting room that is laughingly called and office! :-)
 
The problem I find is the bin lids and the Mrs wanting to always go out.

I would not advise it to anyone.

I'm always tempted to watch porn as well... LOL

CM
 
And the problem is........? The wife and kids go out leaving you to crack one off and send a few emails in peace, can't do that at the office :-)

Sent from my Xoom using Close Protection World mobile app
 
Well you don't want to get arrested so best not send any emails! I didn't realise you could get arrested for that! :-)

Sent using a device with more computing power than what sent man to the moon!
 
I think though, in all seriousness, it is the stress and distractions from the family:

1.The wife just doesn't get it
2. The kids don't know any better

CM
 
Fair one, I don't have any family to distract me at home. I think that working at home doesn't suit everyone just as much as working in an office doesn't work for others.

Sent using a ZX81!
 
There's me thinking I was the only one having it tough lol

This morning - a typical Monday- up at 04:30 in office for 05:00, Mrs up at 06:30, grumpy as hell dishing out the orders, she leaves at 07:00 to go on shift. I get the kids up at 07:15 - school for 08:00, back in office for 08:15 - 8 week old pup in tail all he wants to do is play and crap all over the office floor. 10:00 phone call from she who must be obeyed " book the holiday for Christmas, discount ends today or else. In between all this trying to work to earn the money to take them away at crimbo. Then pick kids up after school, ferry to clubs ect, feed them, homework, bed. Back in office. Mrs will walk in about 19:30, comments that the place looks like a pig sty, then tries to tell me she has had a busy day, she temporarily forgets that yours truly was in the job for twenty years. Now who's trying to kid who!!
 
CM, have you considered a shed in the garden? If that's a possibility, a small summer house type thing can be set-up suitably that gets you away from the distractions whilst keeping you close to home.

I live alone so I don't have those problems.
I find home more relaxing so work better. If I'm in an office not only am I likely to find the environment bad (bad lighting, air conditioning etc.) but I'm also likely to get constant interruptions from other people wanting help with things. Another problem in the office is that you have to be seen to be working, you can't sit there thinking about how to solve a problem because you'll be accused of sitting there doing nothing. I also find that if I'm having difficulties with a piece of work I can do something else, gardening, DIY, surfing the net, housework etc. The break and distraction reduces stress and gives my brain space to think about the best course of action to deal with the problem.
 
Hi CM,

Just a suggestion, If it is at all possible, its worth getting up a couple of hours earlier than the wife and kids. Those couple of hours will be more productive and you may get double done that you would get done in 4 hours while the family are around.
There will be no distractions from the family as they are sleeping, and no one in europe should call you in the wee hours so less distractions.
Most of your days work can be done by midday leaving you the afternoon free.
Regards
12345
 
The key is kids.

If I lived on my own with no kids or dogs it would be a complete doddle.

But that's why I've got a FT Office manager in London ;-)

Still tough though

CM
 
I haven't read any other posts to be quite honest but if I may let me give you these statistics... 63% of ALL businesses work from home and 84% of all business turn over less than 100K per annum. I have worked from home for 22 years and wouldn't have had it any other way... When you get it right, it's an awesome option as long as you are in the right industry, self disciplined, highly motivated and apply some common sense... It's worked for me..!

CD
 
Easy answer...get rid of the wife and kids .....only distraction in my house is the cat wanting a hug or feeding.
Get some discipline man


fbg
 
"A nuclear submarine would be more like it. "

well the US Gov't is shut down.
Check eBay - you might be able to pick something up :-)

Otherwise - some acoustic tiles and a phone answering service. If you get a professional phone answering service, you won't lose new contacts and customers will think you've got a front office. The trick would be to find a good receptionist who sounds like the real deal.

KL
 
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