Working from home?

[Hilary]

For any of you who work from home - how do you motivate yourself to 'knuckle down' and actually work and not make coffee / read the paper / check the DIS boards / all those other more attractive options?

A couple of months ago I was offered some freelance work to do at home, working on updating funding information for a local organisation. There were no deadlines or targets as it was a case of 'anything you can do for us will be more than we'd get done otherwise'. It was also work I could do at any time of day (or night) as it doesn't rely on other people's working schedule. It all sounded perfect , and it's decently paid work liaising with someone I know and like.

My problem is having enough self-discipline to get much done. There's the possibility of some more work in the future and I don't want to find I'm beating myself up over not doing enough. I am enjoying the work I'm doing, but after an hour of it I find my mind wandering ...
(mind you, I seem to remember I had much the same problem with exam revision all those years ago, so maybe there's no hope!)

Any helpful hints appreciated!

 

[T16GEM]

Hi,

I would set a time for working each day, in an area where there are no distractions, preferably first thing in the morning, then once you have done what you have got to do then you can go and have fun!! better it get it over and done with early!!

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Hilary,

I worked from home for about 2 years. I loved it for doing admin / paperwork but hated the taking telephone calls bits (sometimes from irate customers) and I horribly missed the "social" aspect of going into work. (Look everyone at last I've managed to use my favourite smilie - thank you Hilary !)

The only tip I have is that you set yourself a strict time to be at work and stick to it. Soon it becomes habit and it's hard then to break out of it!

Also, what I found helpful was goals to work towards - ie "after I have done XY & Z I will have a cup of coffee" which helped move me along a bit.

I think some people love the freedom / flexibility it can give you and others just aren't as keen. Personally I unforunately belong in the latter camp !

Best of luck

Karen

 

[disneyholic family]

i work mostly from home and have the opposite problem...
i'm a workaholic and never stop working...
i always find my way back to my computer to start working again..
on average i work 85 hour weeks....all because i don't know how to stop....

 

[BONZO]

I work from home at least one or two days a week.


The main issues are : -

1) Taking a break a regular times of day i.e. taking lunch away from the pc / laptop

2) Trying not to do "odd jobs" around the house i.e tidying up, washing etc

3) Knowing when to stop for the day

4) In the summer it's good but in the winter you could go "stir crazy" by being in the house all day.


During term time I make it known that I'll do the school run in the morning and afternoons to enforce taking a break.


Working from home full time would drive me mad!


I do set aside some DIS / PC time - say late morning or lunchtime but try to be disciplined to make sure that I get back to doing some real work - honest guv!

 

[Hilary]

I feel much better having read your replies, as it sounds as though my concerns aren't 'just me'.

I have been trying to do most of the things suggested, i.e. setting times for working, having goals and rewards, trying not to get sidetracked into household jobs, having regular breaks, etc. I think it might suit me better to spread the hours over more days, rather than trying to get it all done at once.

I think one of the hardest challenges for me is the complete change from working in a public environment where there are people coming and going all the time, but I've always been someone who is happy with my own company (to an extent! ) so hope that won't be too much of a problem.

I always thought working from home would be ideal for me, but imagined I'd be better at the self discipline that I have managed so far!

 

[disneyholic family]

i even had my laptop with me at WDW and worked through the nights....
i truly need a 12 step program to get rid of this workaholism problem...
and i need to stop working for brutally cruel hi-tech companies that demand 24/7/365 commitments....where i work, 85 hour weeks are the norm, not the exception....they send all potential hires for grueling psychologically testing, in addition to knowledge and intelligence tests, to determine tendencies towards workaholism.....and they ONLY hire those who clearly are workaholics....it's really quite unbelievable to be in a company with 11,000 people who work round the clock...
i've worked here 7 years and quit 7 times, but never actually left (somehow they always manage to distract me)....one day i'll have the strength of character to walk away from them and my golden cage....

and now.....back to work....

 

[Hilary]

d/holic - well, at least you are aware of what you're like and that you should try to change your schedule. That must be the biggest hurdle - acknowledging that your present working week is not 'normal' for most people, and can't be doing you any good. It can't be easy if you're surrounded by equally workaholic colleagues.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do in the future