Telecommuting

Lesson 3: Setting Up Shop

Making it work

Now that you've got your office all set up, the time has come to start working. But how do you maintain your success as a telecommuter on a day-to-day basis? The key is to treat your job just like you always have. Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you should view your job any differently.

In order for your work-at-home situation to work for both you and your employer, you’ll need to maintain the same level of professionalism you always have. That sometimes means going through motions that may not seem 100 percent necessary, but that do make you feel like you’re still a viable worker.

Set a schedule
This is perhaps the most important thing you can do to be a successful telecommuter. You MUST set work hours, and you MUST stick with them. Without a schedule, you cannot set goals. And without goals, you can’t track your progress. And without a clear understanding of your job performance, you certainly can’t excel in your career. Whatever schedule you make should be discussed with your boss ahead of time to make sure it jives with your job tasks.

Get dressed
While it’s certainly perfectly legal for you to work in your pajamas as a telecommuter, you really don’t want to do this. Your clothes don’t just impact those around you – they impact you as well. If you don’t look professional, you won’t feel professional and your work may suffer. You’ll get distracted more easily. You’ll cut out of work early. Take an extra hour in the morning and take a shower, eat breakfast and get dressed. You certainly don’t have to wear a suit and tie to work, but at least put on something presentable.

Stay connected
I’ve talked about this a lot already, but you need to keep that line of communication open with the office. Talk to your boss at least once a day and let him/her know what you’re up to. Attend in-office meetings when you can. Send emails, teleconference, make phone calls, do whatever it takes to stay in the forefront of their minds. It will make them remember you and it will make you feel less isolated.

Set goals
As a telecommuter, life can seem to stand still at times. Your world may seem to consist of that tiny office with a tiny window overlooking your front yard. You may feel like you’re trapped while the rest of the world races around you. To combat this feeling of stagnation, write down daily, weekly, monthly goals. It will help you know where your career is headed at any given time and will remind you that you are in fact still moving forward.

Track your progress
Keep track of virtually everything you do day-to-day. Write down what goals you meet, who you talk to, where you go, what you see, what you write, what you read. I recommend getting an appointment book and rather than filling in what you plan to do, use it as a daily journal of activity. This will once again help you feel like you’re still moving forward and also let your boss know what you do at home all day. It can come in handy if your job performance is ever questioned.

Read the Profile of a Telecommuter on page 149 of Telecommute! for a real-life example of making telecommuting work.

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