Being a Productive Home Worker Requires Stability
In the article “Home-Office Life and Its Discontents” (great job for the find Laura!), The New York Times has shared a golden nugget for freelancers and telecommuters:
Mr. Holt said he finds it helpful to schedule his time in a way that mimics the nine-to-five life of his years spent working in a New York office. He tries to keep to a routine that includes breakfast at a local coffee shop — reminiscent of his ritual of picking up coffee and a bagel at Grand Central Terminal on the way to his former job
When I first tried to make a living from freelance exclusively, I spent most of my time working at home. Like Mr. Holt, I discovered that sticking to a routine proved most productive. Around this time last year, I wrote about the benefits of going through the morning ritual, despite not needing to leave the house:
The morning ritual will always leave you awake and ready for the day (as well as all-fresh and nice-smelling). It also gives your body a signal that it’s time for work. As an added bonus, if you suddenly have to leave for an errand, you don’t need to spend more time getting ready. And you won’t have to scramble to fix yourself up if a friend unexpectedly drops by.
Committing yourself to a pattern at the beginning of each workday will bring stability to your freelance career. And you don’t have to give up the benefits of working at home, like the two-minute commute.
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POSTED IN: Avoiding the Temptations of Home
4 opinions for Being a Productive Home Worker Requires Stability
Marijke
Jan 5, 2008 at 6:40 am
Hi RIco, thanks for mentioning my blog. That’s actually what got me over here - I hadn’t seen your blog before.
I found this piece interesting. I’ve been working from home since 1999, first as a telecommuting employee and then as a freelancer.
I have a very hard time with routines, which is why I make a lousy out-of-home employee. My concentration level dips and rises dramatically throughout the day. I will go through spurts when I have a good routine, only to be followed by working in my pjs until noon for a period after.
You’re right though. I think it’s best when we have a good routine. Any suggestions on how to keep at it once one has been started?
laura
Jan 5, 2008 at 7:52 am
I think the article was good because it highlighted many of the challenges that we all face when we work from home. Too often, people who are considering a home business or telecommuting position glamorize working from home, but it’s not without its problems. I try to blog about overcoming the challenges frequently, and I know that Rico does too.
Ali
Jan 6, 2008 at 5:38 am
So important to keep a schedule on both ends to find balance between doing enough and doing way too much. My routine, as someone who works from home, is pretty good except I often fail at shutting down the office which in the end is terrible for productivity. Getting better at that end is one of my resolutions for the New Year.
Rico
Jan 7, 2008 at 1:41 am
Marijke: Check out my article on 21 days and building or breaking habits. :)
Laura: At the very least, you prove that work can get done at home even if you have to take care of the kids.
Ali: Good luck Ali! Perhaps an alarm (not on your computer) will help you remember when to call it a day?
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