Being productive in your home office. Point, counter-point
Posted on December 7, 2007
Filed Under Career Development
I’ve written quite a bit about my experience working from home and how much I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve given you some tips and insights into what I think makes for a successful tele-commute environment. Today, Marshall Loeb at Career Journal posted his 5 tips for being productive in the home office. Here’s a brief point, counter point discussion.
My comments follow his.
Separate your work space from the rest of your home and spend time in it only when you are working. Make it off limits to family members — kids and spouses do not belong there. Create physical barriers, such as a door or a flight of stairs to isolate yourself from your home routine and focus your attention.
I completely agree with this one. In order to be effective, you must seclude yourself from the rest of your home. Otherwise, the noise and activity is too distracting.
Sit at your desk at the same time every day and keep normal business hours. Parcel out your work by task and the time you expect it to take to complete. This will help you instill urgency in your work and increase your productivity.
I agree with this to a point. One of the benefits to working from home is having flexibility. That means if you want to start at 6am before everyone else is up and get the day rolling you can. It also means you can break to take the kids to school, walk the dog, etc.
Dress in a way that will help you feel professional. You do not have to wear stockings and high heels, but it helps to get out of your pj’s and put on a crisp shirt.
Here’s where we definitely disagree. If you want to work in your pj’s or whatever, go ahead. Again, this is one of the benefits of working from home. You can be sure that as I write this I’m not in a shirt and tie. 
Disregard house chores until the end of the business day. You wouldn’t wash the dishes, walk the dog or cook lunch for the kids if you were in a real office, so resist the temptation to do it at your home office. If you find that hard to achieve, give yourself short deadlines for specific tasks and do household work only in between.
I disagree with this one too. Again, one of the benefits to working from home is flexibility. If you need to start the laundry or run to the bank, dry cleaners, video store, etc, go ahead. True you wouldn’t do those things in the office, but you would spend some time talking to co-workers, etc. Do what works.
If your work does not require constant access to email, turn off your email program and check messages only at scheduled times. Being stuck in a home office all day can be frustrating, so instead of seeking distraction through communication, tackle boredom by allowing yourself short breaks outside. Take advantage of your situation by enjoying a few moments in your backyard or on the front porch.
I like this one a lot, especially the part about getting outside. The home office walls tend to close in, it’s a good practice to take a break and get outside. As I mentioned above, if errands need running, take 20 mins and go do them or go the gym at lunch.
If you work from home, what do you think? What’s worked, not worked for you?
Until next time…
4 Comments »
Recent Comments
- GreggG: First time poting here. So, I’m looking for some feedback about the forum from regulars. Leave me a...
- Mark: Nearshoring is a major problem for States like California and Massachusetts. The cost of living is so high...
- Kirschner: Success always comes after failure
So let’s cheer up. - Kris: lol. I guess it’s time to be more careful now. Thanks for the share!
- Kirschner: I have to say that I am really impressed by it is to go through your blogand getting things rolling, this...
LOVE IT! I couldn’t agree more
Especially separating your work space from everything else. That way when you need a break you can shut the door and not have to look at all your work junk 
and vice versa
I had a husband once (’had’ is the operative word, here), who was a photographer. He parked his equipment in the kitchen, living room, family room, and bedroom 24/7. It was so inconsiderate! His battery chargers took up half the kitchen counters and I would turn colors when I came down to get coffee started and saw it sitting there. You need (emphasis, here) to have equipment, office stuff, phone conversations, in one spot that is designated the office so that it prevents others in the family from interfering with work — and vice versa!
Red Jello’s last blog post..Mistake #14: Bet the farm!
Sounds like you’ve lived it, and not in a good way.