Working From Home Kinda Sucks

Start off the day by setting goals and creating a task list that you perceive take 7 hours. Work through each task and when you're done with all of them you're done for the day. Take normal lunch breaks, maybe even hit the gym.

you could go to the gym every day that would make you feel better and reward yourself

I have trouble working at work I'd suck working from home.

A while ago my company launched a work from home pilot program, it's yet to hit my office but I'd be interested in trying it out for a while.

I think it would be cool to be able to run errands, hit the gym, and not have to drive back and forth an hour a day.

I'm sure it would get old but going to the office each day does too.

Ah the "pleasure" of working from home...

I have worked from home for about 2 years now, and it's definitely hard to stay motivated some times, but that is just part of the gig. I think it's important to understand that, because the way I see it it's just human nature. Since I have trouble staying motivated at all times, I just work around it. Sure, I'm supposed to work from 7-3, but I don't always. I'm always online when I need to be, but I'll either work when I need to, or if I'm in a groove -- sometimes that happens to be from 7-3. Other times, I'll get into a rhythm for several hours in the evening. I have worked through the night on several occasions, simply because I had momentum and I wanted to take advantage.

The worst part is the cabin fever. Like others have said, your best bet is to take regular breaks. I used to go out for breakfast and lunch every day. That was nice, but it got too expensive. I take regular smoke breaks, and sometimes even short naps (I have a futon in my office :)). When the day is over I usually leave and get out into the wilderness to do some hiking or rock climbing.

The point is that I meet my deadlines, and work when it's most efficient -- not when the clock says to. You're not in an office anymore, so you have to sort of change your mentality. Of course, I write computer software, and I don't have to deal with people very much. If you have lots of meetings or need to talk to customers, then you'll be more restricted by the clock.

As others have said, make a dedicated office and do your best to make it as nice as possible. Get everything just right, and make sure you're comfortable. You know, some natural light, some plants, a comfy chair, artwork, etc. There are lots of things you can do in your home office that you can't do in a regular office. For example, I regularly play guitar when I have to restart my server or publish changes. I also find that playing music helps me get into a rhythm as well. I used to wear headphones in the office, but now that I work at home I don't have to. That's nice. It's important to take advantage of those kind of things. Sometimes it's hard to see what you can change, because you aren't really open to the change. Your mind has this image of what work/office should be like, and you need to reevaluate that now.

Good luck to you, and enjoy it!

Ah the "pleasure" of working from home...

I have worked from home for about 2 years now, and it's definitely hard to stay motivated some times, but that is just part of the gig. I think it's important to understand that, because the way I see it it's just human nature. Since I have trouble staying motivated at all times, I just work around it. Sure, I'm supposed to work from 7-3, but I don't always. I'm always online when I need to be, but I'll either work when I need to, or if I'm in a groove -- sometimes that happens to be from 7-3. Other times, I'll get into a rhythm for several hours in the evening. I have worked through the night on several occasions, simply because I had momentum and I wanted to take advantage.

The worst part is the cabin fever. Like others have said, your best bet is to take regular breaks. I used to go out for breakfast and lunch every day. That was nice, but it got too expensive. I take regular smoke breaks, and sometimes even short naps (I have a futon in my office :)). When the day is over I usually leave and get out into the wilderness to do some hiking or rock climbing.

The point is that I meet my deadlines, and work when it's most efficient -- not when the clock says to. You're not in an office anymore, so you have to sort of change your mentality. Of course, I write computer software, and I don't have to deal with people very much. If you have lots of meetings or need to talk to customers, then you'll be more restricted by the clock.

As others have said, make a dedicated office and do your best to make it as nice as possible. Get everything just right, and make sure you're comfortable. You know, some natural light, some plants, a comfy chair, artwork, etc. There are lots of things you can do in your home office that you can't do in a regular office. For example, I regularly play guitar when I have to restart my server or publish changes. I also find that playing music helps me get into a rhythm as well. I used to wear headphones in the office, but now that I work at home I don't have to. That's nice. It's important to take advantage of those kind of things. Sometimes it's hard to see what you can change, because you aren't really open to the change. Your mind has this image of what work/office should be like, and you need to reevaluate that now.

Good luck to you, and enjoy it!
Good advise. What kind of music do you play?

Good advise. What kind of music do you play?

I play classical guitar, but not always classical music. I like to play Eric Clapton, Bob Marley, Sublime, The Beatles and Neil Young to name a few.

One of my favorite classical songs to play is called Lagrima. This guy plays it beautifully:

YouTube - Tarrega: Lagrima (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jot7Q9n7L9U)

I play classical guitar, but not always classical music. I like to play Eric Clapton, Bob Marley, Sublime, The Beatles and Neil Young to name a few.

One of my favorite classical songs to play is called Lagrima. This guy plays it beautifully:

YouTube - Tarrega: Lagrima (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jot7Q9n7L9U)

I'm still stuck on the classic rock stuff but I enjoy just about all types of music. Just this past weekend they had a special on Neil Diamond in concert and I enjoyed the entire show. He went back to where he was born to do a concert and they showed him walking the streets. It was funny because he was talking to some kids that had no clue who he was. I play drums and I have been thinking about taking piano leasons.

As others have said, make a dedicated office and do your best to make it as nice as possible. Get everything just right, and make sure you're comfortable. You know, some natural light, some plants, a comfy chair, artwork, etc. There are lots of things you can do in your home office that you can't do in a regular office. For example, I regularly play guitar when I have to restart my server or publish changes. I also find that playing music helps me get into a rhythm as well. I used to wear headphones in the office, but now that I work at home I don't have to. That's nice. It's important to take advantage of those kind of things. Sometimes it's hard to see what you can change, because you aren't really open to the change. Your mind has this image of what work/office should be like, and you need to reevaluate that now.

Good luck to you, and enjoy it!

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Cool firstdown. Neil Diamond is great. I also play *a little* harmonica and I've always wanted to learn piano. Playing music is so fulfilling and good for the soul.

LOL @ Duffman ... exactly what I had in mind -- with some cheeseburgers on the grill, of course (which is what I have most days for lunch!) :)