Millions of Americans have traded their cubicles for a corner office at home. In fact, according to WorldatWork, approximately 34 million U.S. employees work outside the office at least once a month. While the benefits of teleworking may seem evident, challenges do arise. The following are a few pointers to help smooth the bumps out of your hallway commute:
Go Beyond the Bathrobe: For those who work from home, it's easy to take Casual Friday to new levels. But before you find yourself dressing for Nonchalant Monday or Lackadaisical Tuesday, you might want to reassess those plaid pajamas.
Office-friendly wear - despite the fact that your "office" may simply be a workstation in the kitchen, can help your brain click into professional mode. Subconsciously, when dressed for work, you're likely to feel more confident when making pitches or fielding phone calls. Another benefit of being neatly attired - it keeps you at the ready for the delivery person and will send a message to neighbors who drop by in the middle of the day that you are on the clock. As for surprise webcam chats with your supervisor or co-workers, a well-groomed appearance will help them maintain confidence in the quality of your work.
Create a Morning Ritual: A nutritious breakfast, shower, and a relaxing routine, such as walking your dog, meditating, or reading the paper, will help start your morning right. Instead of scrambling for control over work chaos at the beginning of each day, jot down a to-do list the night before. Consulting this plan each morning will help center your thoughts on the priorities of the day ahead.
Join the Team: You may turn assignments in on time without fail, but your boss may still fear that you're not staying on top of the workload. Communication is crucial to success as a home-based worker. Stay connected by touching base with your supervisor and colleagues regularly. Weekly emails, phone calls, IMs, and teleconferences will help narrow the distance between you and the office.
It also pays to increase your visibility and team value by exploring new ways to pitch in and asking co-workers if there are any present or upcoming projects you can help with.
Sending birthday wishes, donating to office collections, and staying up-to-date on company events will help maintain friendships and keep you in the loop.
Many companies adopt a buddy system, assigning an in-house staff member the job of emailing office updates, such as training classes or staff promotions, to home-based workers. If you don't already have one, ask that someone be appointed your "office buddy."
Remember, too, that as an out-of-sight employee, you'll have to work a little harder to stay in mind: Log your accomplishments each day and email the report to your supervisor weekly. Sending your boss brainstorming ideas for a project may help you go the extra mile. With the permission of their supervisors, some home-based employees may even want to start a work blog, where they can network with others in their field and showcase their expertise.
Don't Be a Stranger: For some teleworkers, the "remote" in "remote worker" may begin to take on a dual meaning: Their off-site post feels more like a lonely space station than a satellite office.
Visiting the main branch will keep your face fresh in mind and give you a chance to briefly catch up with your fellow workers in person. Bearing a treat - bagels, dessert, or fruit, for example, is a thoughtful way to show your appreciation.
Planning at least one social outing a week will help combat isolation: Enjoy the camaraderie of a brunch, dinner, or coffee break with a friend, client or co-worker.
If you can't seem to shake feelings of disconnect despite phone calls, IMs, and weekly social breaks, you may want to stop and seriously consider whether you would be happier at the office. In fact, many employees prefer being in the thick of the action to a room of one's own. Telecommuting on a trial basis may help you decide whether working remotely is right for you.
Divert Distractions: Before declaring an area of your home open for business, talk with your family members or housemates about the level of privacy you need, your schedule, and when you normally take your breaks. Establishing office hours early on will help limit interruptions later.
One of the perks many teleworkers enjoy is the flexibility to work non-traditional hours, or work toward a deadline as opposed to a set amount of hours per day. While it's tempting to succumb to dirty dishes, loads of laundry, and household bills at random hours, setting aside specific times for chores will help keep your work hours dedicated to work.
Remember the 20/20/20 Rule: To help reduce eye strain when working on the computer, doctors recommend looking away from the screen every 20 minutes and gazing at a distant object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Other ways to be kinder to your eyes: Adjust your monitor's brightness control, blink more frequently, and take breaks away from your desk.
Change Your Backdrop: When cabin fever creeps in, a little local color may give you the lift you need. The hustle and bustle of your neighborhood coffee shop may stir up new ideas. For a more meditative atmosphere, try plugging in at a quiet café or library. Sometimes, too, it may just be a matter of taking a five-minute stroll outside to freshen your focus.
Say Goodnight, Gracie: A home office means work is always beckoning from the wings. Many telecommuters, consequently, log much longer days or burn the midnight oil well past midnight. Whether it means your work is divided into increments throughout the day and evening or your goal is to mirror a more traditional timetable, creating healthy boundaries will help you better enjoy your professional life-- and your personal one.