| You have been approved to work from home and | | | | you've been waiting for? To overcome this make sure |
| now it is time to set up your home office. You need to | | | | you attend weekly and/or monthly meetings, organize |
| learn some basic telecommuter skills to be successful | | | | a lunch with co-workers or your boss, and stay in |
| with your new work at home lifestyle. | | | | touch daily with the office. |
| Establish your workspace in a part of the house that is | | | | There are psychological issues of working alone. |
| well lit and has good air circulation, is not in the busy | | | | Isolation is the most prominent. This new working |
| area of your home, and can be dedicated as 'your | | | | arrangement means that you left behind the network |
| work area only'. Check with your tax preparer to see | | | | of friends and coworkers who provided a very |
| what guidelines need to be met for tax write-offs. You | | | | important social and interactive part of your day. This |
| have the freedom to arrange your hardware, supplies, | | | | is where the lines of communication, you arranged |
| and desk any way you wish but easy access to | | | | while negotiating the telecommuting option, play a very |
| everything allows you to function smoothly. Turn your | | | | important role. Make sure that you contact your |
| chair away from the door to avoid distractions and | | | | coworkers so you stay in touch with each other. They |
| hide supplies that aren't used often to keep your office | | | | need to know that you are still part of the team and |
| un-cluttered. Realize that you are now responsible for | | | | you do, too. Isolation, after a period of time, may also |
| security of the equipment, backup of your online files, | | | | affect your creativity and professionalism. Join an |
| your personal ergonomics, and managing stress. | | | | online group of other individuals who are working from |
| There are two types of stress at your home office - | | | | home. This opportunity creates a different type of |
| stress from the job and stress in maintaining a work | | | | social activity and you will learn from others who know |
| life balance. Creating this balance requires your | | | | exactly what you are going through or trying to avoid. |
| dedication to making the telecommuting opportunity | | | | Joining a telecommuter association opens the door to |
| successful and your entire family's support in the | | | | receiving information about the pros and cons of |
| lifestyle change. You have set performance standards | | | | telecommuting or what to pursue or avoid. Working |
| with your boss. A telecommuter may feel the need to | | | | from home gives you the freedom of managing your |
| perform miracles to exceed those or you will be | | | | own time. Understand the life/work style changes and |
| returned to the office. That is self imposed stress. You | | | | use them to make you an effective telecommuter. |
| will automatically increase your output because of less | | | | Maintaining visibility is a very important aspect of |
| interruptions and non-commuting. Learn to determine | | | | telecommuting and arresting the resentment some |
| what is or is not urgent, have a set beginning and | | | | coworkers may feel towards you for working from |
| ending time for your day, turn the ringer on your phone | | | | home. Encourage people to contact you at home, post |
| fax off when you are not working, and avoid using the | | | | a note on your office desk reminding people of the |
| extra time gained by not commuting to complete more | | | | days and hours you are working at home, stay on the |
| work. Keep your performance standards in mind so | | | | routing lists for magazines and journals, and develop a |
| you don't feel the need to take on extra work to | | | | buddy system. This buddy can keep you posted on |
| prove yourself and justify what some of your | | | | what is happening at work and send you your mail or |
| co-workers may see as a special perk. | | | | critical information in a timely manner. Attend meetings |
| Your home life may have played a large role in asking | | | | and other work related gatherings (such as an in-office |
| for the telecommuting option. This said your home life | | | | retirement party) and always attend social functions. |
| will change when you move your work home, which | | | | You don't want to be 'out-of-sight out-of-mind'. |
| could cause stress. Talk with your family members to | | | | There are lessons and skills that need to be learned to |
| let them know what your work goals are and how | | | | make your telecommuting work option successful. |
| each of them can contribute to your success. Let your | | | | Telecommuting is very appealing since you do not |
| friends know what your work hours are and | | | | have to sacrifice office or personal goals. Create a |
| encourage them not to call during those hours. | | | | schedule for your work hours, stay in contact with you |
| Distractions such as personal phone calls, reading, | | | | co-workers and boss, and continue to produce |
| lounging, cleaning, laundry, and errands need to be | | | | professional work and your new telecommuting work |
| managed and worked in to your work/home life | | | | option will be successful. |
| schedule. Snacking is now easier. Keep your eating | | | | There are unique skills needed to succeed in your |
| under control by staying with the same schedule you | | | | 'virtual office'. Some of these will be learned over time |
| had at work. What you choose to wear during your | | | | yet you can be aware of others and prepare for |
| work hours is a personal choice yet keep this in mind. | | | | them. Telecommuting is appealing because your |
| Casual clothes are fine but doing a professional job in | | | | professional goals do not have to be sacrificed for |
| your pajamas or a torn sweatshirt with sweatpants | | | | personal goals, or visa versa. Working just like you |
| may not put you in the correct frame of mind to do | | | | would in the office with set hours, using effective |
| quality work. | | | | communication, and continued professionalism will help |
| Staying Visible | | | | this new lifestyle create less stress, more flexibility, and |
| Are you concerned about out-of-mind meaning no | | | | more time for you. |
| promotion or being overlooked for that one assignment | | | | |