One thing that helps me stay focused is we use Microsoft Lync extensively and we are expected to be logged on during business hours. If I'm not logged on my boss will know I'm away.

One thing that helps me stay focused is we use Microsoft Lync extensively and we are expected to be logged on during business hours. If I'm not logged on my boss will know I'm away.

 

Yep. I use IMB Lotus Notes (which is the devil) so my IM is always up and available unless I'm running a meeting so I have do not disturb on. I am very proactive about responding to messages and email.

I guarantee you there are people in my 'hood that think I must work the graveyard shift or that I don't actually work. They see me in shorts during normal business hours quite often.

 

My friends in the neighborhood ask me all the time if I actually work. I'm lucky, most of my clients are within 8-10 miles of my home, I've got a solid and consistent book of business with very little churn. Aside from the one (maybe two) trips to the office, and 4 or 5 appointments I run every week, you can find my car at home for at least 5-6 hours of a normal workday. That fact that I worked very hard to develop (and keep) solid business relationships has allowed me to have a lot of freedom and flexibility in my schedule. I used to work very hard. Now, not so much.

On a related note I'll probably work from home tomorrow.

One thing that helps me stay focused is we use Microsoft Lync extensively and we are expected to be logged on during business hours. If I'm not logged on my boss will know I'm away.

 

I don't have Lync away from the office. But I do have to log on through Citrix to access our property management system, so if anyone wants to check, they can see when I log in, all my activity. Of course, most don't want to go that route since I log on at all hours of the day and night, 7 days a week. :lol2:

Not that I care, because I don't, but I believe some people are jealous that some of us get to work from home and that causes a little friction.

 

I am most certainly jealous of those of you who get to work at home. No one in my department does but I wish we could. I don't think I would like to do it 100% of the time but it would be nice to have the option.

So...working from home today. Ironic that this tread was started. Anyway...my desk faces the back window. Right now I am distracted. There's a spider killing a bug on the screen right at my eye level.

I can occasionally. Our entire department can and no one abuses it. It's a great benefit.

One thing that helps me stay focused is we use Microsoft Lync extensively and we are expected to be logged on during business hours. If I'm not logged on my boss will know I'm away.

 

I found a way to extend your inactive mode. Instead of you going "inactive" after 5 minutes, you can set it for a long as you want.

Been working from home for 18 years. Love it. At first it was brutal since I could never walk away from it. Your office is always a few steps away. I've since figured out how to manage my time. My company is 3 times zones away, I deal with Asia on a daily/nightly basis so I can actually get an email 24 hours a day. I am much more productive without cooler talk or someone barging into my office. It leaves time for me to go chat with the guys fixing my water main. If I want a nap I take one, If I answer emails at 9:00 PM I do so. Love it.

To Guru's point. People tend to take advantage of you if you work out of the house. "Hey can you go pick up my kid? I'm working" Really? So am I. My dad often used to call me for a quick something and told me he did so since my brother had to work and he couldn't call him. (I miss doing that for him). I don't think I could ever go back into an office structure. My brother just changed jobs, I asked him if it was for more money and he told me the main reason was because he was going to work out of his house. Be careful what you wish for. It is not for everyone.

Big news on the home front for me. Since I'm an empty nester and most communication is via email versus phone, I may be moving my office from a no windowed basement to a 2nd floor room with a window!!!

Never had the luxury.

 

Daughter-in-law is the publicist for the University Press of a major West Coast university. Pretty much everything she does is from her home office, with the exception of fairly frequent travel.

 

And even though she works from home, she and mcson have hired a nanny for their baby daughter.

Working from home will continue to become more and more common. Companies are finding out they can save a bunch on office space and the time wasted at home usually doesn't come anywhere near the amount of time wasted in the office. They are also finding out that they can often offer a lower salary in exchange for the work from home option. Technology has opened up more and more positions to being able to work remotely.

My daughter works for Humana and will begin working from home in the next few months. She's delighted!

Working from home will continue to become more and more common. Companies are finding out they can save a bunch on office space and the time wasted at home usually doesn't come anywhere near the amount of time wasted in the office. They are also finding out that they can often offer a lower salary in exchange for the work from home option. Technology has opened up more and more positions to being able to work remotely.

 

Also, technology such as GoToMeeting, and SKYPE have reduced the need for extensive travel. I sell on a national level, and only have to travel a few times a year.

Never had the luxury.

 

Daughter-in-law is the publicist for the University Press of a major West Coast university. Pretty much everything she does is from her home office, with the exception of fairly frequent travel.

 

And even though she works from home, she and mcson have hired a nanny for their baby daughter.

 

Mrs. TAC works part time. Always had a sitter on days when she worked. Even when the kids were old enough to fend for themselves we would have someone come in for a few hours to get them out of the house.