Jock Elliott
Hall of Famer
- Location
- Troy, NY
For 17 years, I was a full-time freelance writer, working from a home office.
Some observations:
1. Self-discipline can be the hardest thing to come by, but it is the most necessary thing for successful tele-working. Distractions are too easy to find. Determine that you will be self-disciplined, and stick to your guns. At the same time, breaks are a necessary and good thing and a nice way to reward yourself for a period of concentrated effort.
2. Maintain a clearly written or typed to-do list. Since I served multiple clients are the same time, I found it useful to review the list first thing in the morning and to cycle through it periodically throughout the day, adding and removing items as needed. If I got stuck on any given project, I would keep ratcheting through the list until I found something that I could move forward.
3. Get and stay organized. As soon as something comes in, put it in the appropriate folder (electronic or otherwise) so it can be found quickly when needed. Chaos will kill your productivity and wear you out.
4. Make sure others in the household understand that there are times (conference call, etc.) when you cannot be interrupted (an office with a door that closes and don't disturb sign can be helpful) unless there is an actual emergency. Find ways to reward those you care about for their understanding.
I hope this helps.
Cheers, Jock
Some observations:
1. Self-discipline can be the hardest thing to come by, but it is the most necessary thing for successful tele-working. Distractions are too easy to find. Determine that you will be self-disciplined, and stick to your guns. At the same time, breaks are a necessary and good thing and a nice way to reward yourself for a period of concentrated effort.
2. Maintain a clearly written or typed to-do list. Since I served multiple clients are the same time, I found it useful to review the list first thing in the morning and to cycle through it periodically throughout the day, adding and removing items as needed. If I got stuck on any given project, I would keep ratcheting through the list until I found something that I could move forward.
3. Get and stay organized. As soon as something comes in, put it in the appropriate folder (electronic or otherwise) so it can be found quickly when needed. Chaos will kill your productivity and wear you out.
4. Make sure others in the household understand that there are times (conference call, etc.) when you cannot be interrupted (an office with a door that closes and don't disturb sign can be helpful) unless there is an actual emergency. Find ways to reward those you care about for their understanding.
I hope this helps.
Cheers, Jock