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Resisting the Telecommuter's Temptations

A colleague of mine passed along this article about the various temptations and distractions that telecommuters face, and I thought it was worth sharing with all of our loyal readers (we do have loyal readers, right?).  As a team member in a highly flexible work environment, this piece really hits home and provides a great primer for anyone entering or part of the virtual or flexible workplace.

Stephanie

hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobseeker/tools/ept/careerArticlesPost.html

Resisting the Telecommuter's Temptations

Caroline Levchuck, Yahoo! HotJobs

Most employees relish the opportunity to work remotely on occasion. The commute becomes a matter of steps, not miles. And you might get to enjoy an extra hour of sleep before starting the workday.

But telecommuting is not without troubles. Temptation and distraction lurk at every turn. Use the tips below to stay focused on your responsibilities while you're working from home.

1. Find a productive place.

Even if you live in a studio apartment, you can create a space in your home that will be dedicated to work for the day. If you don't have a proper desk, use your kitchen table. And, even though it worked for Winston Churchill, avoid working from your bed unless you're sick. It's tough to be professional when you're propped up by pillows.

2. No surfing, please.

If you're working from home, your boss isn't likely to be looking over your shoulder. You may, then, feel the urge to do more Web surfing than you normally might at the office. Don't! If it's too tough, grab an egg timer and allot a reasonable amount of time (10 to 15 minutes) to get your fill and move on. The same goes for surfing the shelves of your refrigerator. Decide what you'll have for breakfast, lunch, and snacks early in the day so you don't waste work time wondering what you'll eat.

3. Make a to-do list to get things done.

Create a work-related to-do list at the start of your day and keep it at your side. Having a list of tasks at the ready will help you remain focused and help ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.

4. Start the day like you would any other work day.

It's fine to catch a few extra winks if you don't have to make your regular commute. However, don't stray too far from your usual morning routine. If you go to the gym each morning, do so. Don't skip your morning shower or work in your bathrobe. Rather, dress in business casual attire. It's okay to be comfortable, but if you're dressed in your PJs, you may find yourself feeling more inclined to take a nap than make a deal.

5. Do not disturb.

If you live with friends or family members, let them know that you need a reasonable amount of peace and quiet when telecommuting. Ask not to be disturbed during certain hours or only for very important matters -- and define what those matters are. If you have particularly disruptive pets, consider taking them to doggie daycare. If all else fails, set up shop in your local Starbucks, where you can enjoy great coffee and food and wireless access while you work remotely.

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