Staying focused while working from home

[Anonymous]

Do you have a webcam? Turn it on and stream it to your boss's computer. Then you can feel like you are being held accountable for working.

[Anonymous]

I have to work hard to focus at work when there are so many distractions not of my choosing. At home, I only get distracted if I am seeking distraction. I start work earlier on my WFH day because I think it's harder if I get involved in something else i.e. DCUM, reading the paper and then have to get into the work mindset. I will put on background noise that won't distract me like news radio on low or my music playlist on low. Usually, the background noise is only needed until I get in the zone where I am totally focused. I tend to have atleast one conference call so I have my day broken up around what I need to accomplish at various points in the day I.e. before x conference call and after. If I think there will be things I need to do right after the conference as a followup, I try to have that call after lunch (if possible) and will try to get something completed on my priority list before the call. It is hard to go the whole day without speaking to anyone so if I don't have work related calls, I make a lunchtime phone call to a friend if I don't need to use that time to make appts.

In general, I've found the hardest part is getting started. Usually I am working on something that I just have to roll up my sleeves and plow through so I'm not that excited about it in the first place(why it wasn't done earlier) but once I get into it I want to do the type of job so it won't come back to me and it stays done! I hate Groundhog Day type things I.e. here we are again discussing an issue with XYZ program. Accomplishment becomes it's own reward when I see what I accomplished on my WFH day. I also have to make sure I keep the work groove going so anything more intense than throwing pre-sorted laundry into the washer is a no-no. I fold/put away at lunch and end of day. I also find its better to have my lunch already decided.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP. Working from home means that you are putting in your hours working. No house cleaning, no cooking big meals, no TV. I try to limit this stuff to lunch breaks and I usually take another break to start dinner and go back to work until family gets home. You have to set limits no matter how messy your house is or it won't work.

[Anonymous]

I was at a writer's conference recently and went to a number of sessions on freelancing, so lots of advice on WFH, includingwhat others have already mentioned, esp making lists and goals.

One woman worked from 5:30 to 7:30 am and found she got tons done because no one (family or colleagues) was bugging her. I'm a morning person but even I couldn't do that...would end up sleep deprived since I find it hard to fall asleep before 11.

Lots of people seemed to depend on programs that block you from checking your e-mail or even using the internet at all for a period of time (2-4 hrs). I could probably benefit from this.

Big emphasis on working smarter, not longer...and to focus really intensely for about 45 to 90 minutes and then take a 15 minute break. Apparently there is even research showing that people get more done in less time if they work in shorter bursts rather than for long stretches.

[Anonymous]

I have wfh for 14 years as a gov't contractor hired directly by the government. I wouldn't have it any other way. I am able to get the kids to school/pick up and throw in a load of laundry. Nothing else past these chores, though. I control my schedule and know if I do other errands, I might have to work until 9-10pm. But that's okay because I have tremendous flexibility and also deadlines. I have been able to accommodate my children with this type of work control. A few times I've worked as late as 2am to finish reports because I deviated from the '9-5' schedule.

In 4 years when the last leaves for college, I might consider doing field work (in my profession). I don't think I could tolerate the 8-hour in-office workplace way of doing things as I've been gone too long.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I do find when I have the TV on in my home office, whether it's CNN or NCIS, my production is much less as while I'm typing reports, I'll stop to watch. So, I have to turn off the TV for more productivity and, of course, when I'm making business calls.

Still wouldn't have it any other way.