The Art of Telecommuting- By Lily Garcia
Working from home takes special skills. Below are a few tips to become an effective telecommuter: RISE AND SHINE ON SCHEDULE Get ready for work in the morning as if you were about to leave your home. Take a shower, brush your teeth and change out of your pajamas. Wear clothing that you would not be embarrassed to be seen in. This exercise will help you to set the stage for a successful day of work. MINIMIZE INTERRUPTIONS This means telling your family and friends that you are working during certain times and that your availability is no greater than if you were in a cubicle somewhere. It also means scheduling medical and other appointments with due regard for your work schedule. If you would normally see the doctor first thing in the morning to avoid interference with your projects, then keep to this habit when you telecommute. SCHEDULE BREAKS AND LUNCH TIMES Minimizing interruptions does not mean that you must work nonstop for 8-hour stretches; however, you should try to stick to a schedule of breaks and lunch periods rather than resting at haphazard intervals. Taking this disciplined approach will allow you the uninterrupted time that you need to get things done. Yes, it’s OK to watch television and bake cookies as long as you do so on your lunch hour!
PLAN TIME OUT OF THE OFFICE Even a confirmed introvert can feel isolated after a stretch of days without face-to-face conversations – significant others, children and cats excluded. So schedule time out of the office. Meet people for lunch or coffee, or take your laptop to a public place that offers free Wi-Fi. It will lift your spirits and help to keep your professional network alive. SEPARATE YOUR WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE Unless you must work late, make sure that you are taking affirmative steps to “leave” your office at the end of the day. If possible, locate your home office in a separate room and close the door when you are done. If you do not have space for a separate home office, then power down or hide your computer at the end of the day. By Lily Garcia/Special to The Washington Post/The Virginian-Pilot, 3/1/09
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