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

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?"

Close the door.

[GiorgioG]

If you don't have an office in your home, get a different job. Close the door and make sure your spouse/family knows that between XX:XX and XX:XX hours, you're working, you're not home.

It takes some getting used to...but they'll get it eventually. Just keep the door closed.

Redundant internet and phone

[bastafidli]

If your company give you stipend, use it. Get both DSL and Cable so that you are not cut off when one goes down. Thats what I did. Do the same with phone, have cell phone and regular phone so that you are reachable.

Re:Close the door.

[cpu6502]

I don't know why family would have any more "hurt feelings" then when I said I'm doing homework..... and then they'd leave me alone.

When I worked at home, I used to turn-on the TV (usually RT News), which is pretty much the same thing I do now in the office (except over the net). I've never understood people that demand silence; my brain wanders if it lacks audio stimulation.

Re:Close the door.

[HangingChad]

Working from home is nigh on impossible unless you have a door to close.

I get by just fine without a door. You can put your headphones on and tune out the rest of the world.

You can also rent space in one of those shared offices. It's cheap and a lot easier to claim the deduction. The IRS rules really need to catch up with the internet age. A lot of people are working at home but can't understand the bizarre rules and trying to slog through an 8829. If you work at home give people a standard office deduction. It doesn't matter if you work in a bedroom or the garage.

Re:Close the door.

[PRMan]

The lack of door may be fine for YOU to ignore your family. But it's not nearly as good for keeping THEM from bothering you. Out of sight, out of mind. I can actually lock my office door (previous owner). Sometimes, my youngest was coming in so often I locked it.

Re:Close the door.

[ngrier]

I'd say it you don't have to close the door but it's certainly good to have a door to close. A big part of that will depend on how much you have kids/spouse/partner around and how much you're normally on your own. the important part is to have a defined space. This helps you mentally and helps those around you know that when you're there, you're working. Knowing and establishing boundaries is important for both you and anyone else around. For some, moving a load of laundry might be a good break and help keep the household running. For others it might be too much of a distraction. Definitely stay away from the TV, inclinations to clean (I don't have this, but I know lots of people who say they would!). Other items to keep in mind:

• *You need to up your communication with others in the office. You lose nuance as well as key day-to-day stuff that happens in passing. Not only to you want to make sure people are thinking of you, but that you're not caught unaware when all hell breaks loose at the office. Similarly, people need to know if you're going to be out - don't just disappear.
• *Establish a routine. That way both you and those in the office know when you're "at work" and when you're not. Otherwise, you risk always being on call. An important part of this, as others have mentioned, typically includes, breakfast, showering, etc.
• *Make sure you take breaks, lunch, etc. Just cause you're at home doesn't mean you should be working more than you were before. Most folks have small breaks built in - you chat en route to the bathroom, you linger a minute after a meeting, etc. It's important to give yourself a chance to have mental breaks as well as physical ones.
• *Stay connected with colleagues in "meat space". Make sure you go to lunch, conferences, trade shows, whatever makes sense. If you're in the same geography as your office, check in (physically) regularly. If you're remote, make sure you seek out colleagues/friends in your same area so you can get out of the house every now and then. This also keeps your network up as you never know when you'll be looking for that next job or trying to win some client.
• *Recognize that it's easy to get stir-crazy. This can be completely normal. Depending on how extroverted you are, you may get mildly depressed. If this happens, make sure you're meeting with people regularly. Make sure you call instead of email or IM. Suggest experimenting with video conferences. We all need some level of human contact and going for days on end without seeing a person isn't good.
• *Recognize that you'll probably want/need a short mental break to read Slashdot, etc. This is fine. You're most likely not robbing the company of any more (and probably less) than you would in the office. On the other hand, know what's reasonable. If it starts to get to be an hour of your "working" day, folks may well notice a drop in productivity. Since you're less likely to have someone peering over your shoulder, you're going to have to self-enforce. If you can't do a good job, then look at getting software that limits your browsing, game-playing, etc. And if you can't figure that out, working from home probably isn't for you.
• *Understand you'll need to be that much more careful about exercise and eating. Even if you drive to work, you're still going to walk from the car to teh office, walk around the office, etc. At home, you might do no more than go to the bathroom across the hall and wander into the kitchen two rooms away all day long. Sedentary !=healthy. If nothing else, go for a stroll around the neighborhood on lunch or in the evenings.

Re:Mod parent up

[billcopc]

I have it easy. We're both lazy, useless slobs around the house. We hire someone to do the cleaning, and we take turns cooking / ordering take-out.

But yes, the one day where my wife is off work, it can be difficult to get much work done. For me, it's all about unhinging my brain so it can solve the puzzles. Having her there, even though she mostly sticks to the TV or tablet, is a nuisance because she is a human being and expects attention. For example, I might be stuck on a problem, so I'll "juggle" it in my head, walking around, maybe throwing on some music to feed in some entropy, fixing a drink, or going for a bike ride. It's all very spontaneous and rainman-ish, doing mindless stuff to help me focus. Any sort of interruption will snap me out of that trance state, even if it's wifey asking me where I'm going as I step out the door. It's all about maintaining that mental bubble.

Re:Close the door.

[DJRumpy]

Just realized I forgot one tidbit. If you do get an IP Phone, get a decent office quality bluetooth headset. I use a Plantronics CS50-USB. Makes walking around easy while working. Has at least a good 75-100 foot range in my home. Also has a mute button on the headset which is a must-have feature for household noise from family, pets, etc.

Re:Get a dog

[dubbreak]

I agree. Exercise is never a bad thing and getting out of the house clears your head. If I didn't have a dog, like you, I'd be stuck in my chair most of the day.

I have also found drum breaks a good way to clear my head if I'm feeling demotivated. Get a little energy out beating on the drums and I'm refreshed ready to tackle what was killing me before.

It's funny how you can feel like you have no energy sitting all the time, but in reality you are full of energy that needs to be released. Get up, get out and do something active.