I have just taken a new job which requires me to telecommute -- or work from home. At first I thought that would be really cool but, although I do enjoy the comforts of home and very relaxed business attire, there are some real downsides. It's hard to motivate myself at times, I have no one to bounce ideas off of, and I even get lonely at times. Worst of all, I have little regular contact with my employers outside of e-mail -- and that makes me nervous about the ease with which this arrangement could end. Does anyone have some good advice for dealing with the working-at-home blues?
SRichfield: Working at home does require a lot of self-discipline and personal goal-setting. I try to have specific goals for each morning and afternoon and thus pace myself. When physically close to the workplace, I try to meet with other employees just for the "personal" relationship and team-building aspects. If face-to-face contact isn't possible, e-mail does allow you to be more informal and personable than a memo does. Try building friendships this way and use e-mail to bounce ideas around. Working at home may not be the correct choice for everyone, but don't give up too early. The freedom you are gaining will be worth the inital disorientation. Good Luck!
Koos: I believe that you have found yourself a very nice bussines arrangement! I would recommend that you motivate yourself by doing the following:
1. See the job as your own business. Your growth potential, etc, depends only on you. Nobody else is going to do it for you.
2. Set goals for yourself. While I do not know what the job entails, ask yourself questions such as "what do I want to achieve (workwise) today, during the next week, etc," and work towards these goals. Become goal-orientated!
3. Make the bosses realize that you are out there. Communicate with them, let them see what you have achieved, make yourself important and let them think that they cannot do without you.
When you become dispondent and lonely and demotivated, take a walk; think about what you want to achieve, about your goals, and why you are doing this specific job.
I hope all goes well!!
VMungillo: If the ends are as loose as you indicate, it is frustrating. Working at home presents too many potential interruptions. It is easy to get off task. Is your personality style such that you benefit from frequent contact with others? Are you a focused person -- one who likes to hit a task running and give it large blacks of time without interruption?
What works for one person does not always fit another's style.
n2mpm: Remember you are in a home OFFICE, an extension of the organization. E-mail is one-dimensional; use phone call or video conferencing to help keep the bonds personal. Also, consider changing your office. Go to the park if you can work on batteries. You get the idea....
MLBaker: First and foremost, you're not alone!
I've got almost the same situation, and it was helpful for me to see that others are experiencing what I am. I hope that it will help you to know you're not the only one working through these difficulties!
I, too, at first (primarily right before I started a little over 4 months ago) thought telecommuting would be "perfect".
But, like you, I soon found myself feeling isolated, sometimes bored and overwhelmed with tedium. Additionally, I am working as a "temp", so the combination of not being a permanent employee (although I am on a long term, open ended assignment) and not getting regular feedback does tend to raise concerns about job security.
Solutions? -- I'm still working through the dilemma. But, I do have some suggestions:
Do whatever you can to ensure that you have an environment in which you can work. If you need it and can possibly afford it, get the equipment and furniture that will help you be efficient. A second phone line if necessary, a "good" computer, appropriate software, a desk setup with adequate space, a comfortable chair, etc. are investments that more than pay for themselves.
Don't let momentum build in a way that prevents you from getting started with your work each day; set a start time that works for you, and try to stick to it. There is nothing worse than intending to be done by 5:00 but letting it get to be 1:00 before starting work. A flexible schedule has its pros and cons!!!
Set goals -- both for each day, and long term -- and work to meet them. This allows you to better see what you need to accomplish and helps you to judge your effectiveness (or maybe how realistic you have been in goal-setting!). Meeting daily goals also allows for some closure to the day, which can be very important in telecommuting (ever find yourself still working at 11:00 p.m. because you aren't sure you've accomplished enough?).
Don't get discouraged if you aren't being 100 percent productive 100 percent of the time. At first this may seem obvious, but when you are responsible for your own time, and when you realize that your boss(es) are only able to judge you by what you produce, it's easy to get "paranoid" and feel like your production has to be at a level that is unrealistic. This can actually become counterproductive, as it can raise stress and stifle productivity. Some work is really helped when a person sits back and ponders the inner meaning of the molecular structure of the paper on which the work will be written (daydreaming can actually help a person work through blocks and sticking points!!!).
Consider allowing yourself to make coffee, get the mail, use the bathroom, and so forth, without feeling as though you have to stop the clock. These are similar to the things a person would do while "on the clock" in the office, and a person ought to have reasonable (for all parties involved) expectations for time use at home as well.
Remember that your employer trusts you and thinks highly enough of you to allow you to work at home. Don't be too harsh a judge of yourself; try to keep perspective with regard to your employer's likely opinions of your work. If you are providing a useful service, and are working responsibly and with integrity, your employer will appreciate the results you are producing.
Finally, balance, balance, balance. Give yourself time to get your "sea legs" and to work out a system that works for you. And you don't have to do it by yourself! Forums like this are a great resource because sharing our experience with others helps build perspective and allows us to get insights, ideas, and so forth.
Telecommuting can be a great way to work; it can also be a very difficult way to work. Few things in this life are what they first seem, and telecommuting is certainly no exception. Those of us doing it need to keep perspective, and can benefit greatly from sharing our concerns and insights with others!
Best wishes to you in working through our common dilemma!
MLBaker
([email protected])
timboy: I have heard of 'televillages' where telecommuters who live in close proximity to one other work together in the same place. This provides the neccesary human contact, and with other people around they find that they are less inclined to slack off. Perhaps you could see if there are any other telecommuters in your neighbourhood with whom who you could get together?
winners1: I can appreciate the sense of isolation you must experience. There is so much benefit in having the intellectual stimulation of working with individuals with whom you can exchange thoughts. It's the one most common disadvantage I have read about in the papers or articles. You are not alone.
I also faced the dilemma of a forced retirement. I am still employed at the moment, but I am preparing myself for a home business.
I have 2 suggestions:
1) How about setting a support group for home workers? A small ad in a local paper may do the trick.
2) Find a home business that keeps you plugged into a larger business group, but still allows you to set your own schedule and deadlines as you see fit!
Good Luck!!
banky: Motivation? The Peoples Network! I encourage you to check into other types of home-based business. The Peoples Network is a satellite television network dedicated to personal achievement programming....guaranteed to put an end to your motivational problems as well as any other obstacles that life may have thrown in your way. I have lots more on TPN if you are interested. Good Luck!
caffine: When I first started working at home, I relished the idea of working as I was, in pajamas, shorts, whatever...
Soon, that fades... So, now on days when I want that extra something to put me in the "mood," I dress like I would to go in the office.
It works. It sounds stupid, but somehow it breaks my feelings of woe, and I sit behind my desk ready and willing.
Next, to follow suit with that, I set a list of things to accomplish for the time period I am working, and then when I'm down, I run out of the office and back into my PJs!
omni88: OMNI Realty is a small office company that encourages its agents to work from home/car using fax, cellular, e-mail, and the Web. Some do and some don't -- but the most common problem is that, when you have a specific problem, you need a sounding board. If you are not expected to come into the office, it is difficult to get a touchy-feely answer. You certainly can't go to the competition. It isn't for everyone.
