Working from home appears to be an appealing alternative to the daily commute for many people, but those who work from home on a regular basis say there are some significant trade-offs and sacrifices that must be made. In recent years, telecommuting has grown in popularity, but preparing to work from home entails more than just setting up a satellite office or uploading files to a company’s server. Working from home can be a huge change in both your professional and personal life.
There must be a clear distinction between professional workspace and personal living space in order to work from home effectively. A spare bedroom, den, or utility room can be converted into a home office or workshop, but all family members must acknowledge it as a professional space. Employees who work from home do not necessarily have a lighter workload than those who work in a centralized office. You must set aside times when you are clearly ‘at work,’ and when you are not to be disturbed by other family members. During work hours, it’s easy to become distracted by personal events going on around you.
Investing in office, communication, and storage equipment is another way to get ready to work from home. Many telecommuters who previously worked in an office environment may be unaware of how many amenities are lacking in a home office. In your spare bedroom, there may not be any copy stations, fax machines, or printers. Important business documents and other paperwork must be kept in a secure location. It’s possible that your internet connection will need to be upgraded, and you’ll need to hire a professional to install specialized equipment.
When you decide to work from home, there are a number of factors to consider after the logistics and workspace issues have been resolved. While working in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt has its appeal, you may find yourself becoming isolated from the company and interpersonal dynamics of a busy office or workshop. The phrase “out of sight, out of mind” holds some truth, and you may need to take steps to stay on the company’s radar. When you work from home, you frequently forego social and professional interaction in exchange for privacy and cost savings. You may want to pay a visit to the main office from time to time to keep up with current events and changes.
Self-discipline is an important factor to consider when working from home. Regular office workers may be tempted to take a few extra minutes for a coffee break or a longer lunch, but supervisors may want to limit such activities during working hours. You may not have such limitations if you work from home. A ten-minute coffee break can quickly turn into a half-hour phone conversation with your best friend. When you work from home, there is no clock or lunch bell. You’ll need to develop enough self-discipline to avoid all of those tempting time-killers throughout the day if you want to telecommute or run an independent business from home.