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I've worked from home for the past 2 years now. The type of work I do and the amount has me busy all the time. Plus if it's something you like doing, you'll f
by jfalcon 8y ago
I've worked from home for the past 2 years now. The type of work I do and the amount has me busy all the time. Plus if it's something you like doing, you'll find yourself easily doing 50+ hours - especially if you work salary.
Sometimes I'd have a slightly crazy older friend come by who doesn't work a day job and he'll just come in the check on me or smoke a bowl while he runs around town. It can sometimes be a distraction when that happens. One just has to reiterate that you are at work but keep it real and do have that time. Same with phone calls from family. Treat your telecommute like you're at the office just that the scenery looks like early fuck because it's your design, not someone who's paid for aesthetics of the corporate image.
First week I started my full time telecommute, I did go out and buy an Aeron chair. But while it's a nice chair and I've used them at the office, if you don't move around and work out, that chair could also be the most uncomfortable chair of your day.
I also try to leave the house at least a couple times a week for lunch but keep it short as ultimately, the clock is nobody's friend.
Once a week, I'll take some time to do a cleaning. I do all my meetings via BlueJeans or teleconference or Slack. So I make sure that my video presence is always "Business Casual" appropriate... including anything in the background of the camera.
Technology: While I am issued a laptop, I ended up using my gaming desktop more as you really cannot have enough monitors. I run 3 and could see going to 5 with 2 in portrait configuration for coding or document reading. I'd also get a comfortable mechanical keyboard. Mouse as well. I recreated a dedicated workstation within my homelab using VMWare and that is only used for the company including their VPN client. I have another access point for corporate VPN which I use fairly often. I also have a MiFi and ensure I can reach another access point that is on another ISP with my network should my primary internet go out - which it has a few times for a week. Beyond that, it's whatever makes you more productive so you can keep your work/life in balance.
And that's the crux of it, while I don't commute, I also don't have that "unplug" time in the car anymore. That's now done when I prepare the evening meal which can vary at time. The only major distraction is my whiny old cat that requires me to ensure that the mute button is in easy reach. But people are actually quite cool and understanding when they hear her meow that first couple times before you can mute. My GF I think feels that she needs to leave me alone more than she really does. But then I'm a bad person because sometimes I'll go much later than I should or spend more time working than living.
Also, when you're now spending on upwards of 16-20h at the keyboard, your sleep will be impacted. You'll also go through a phase of Bi-Modal sleep where you'll sleep in two separate periods. But my case likely isn't normal. I have no kids. Few interruptions beyond the cat and that I'm older.
Will you save money? It depends on your other spending habits.
It is good to keep a daytime schedule for the company. But you'll also find working at night or early morning is your most productive.
Not everyone's situation is suited for WFH. I would only recommend WFH for true introverts and people who work abroad. Maybe those who have kids should plan to still have daycare or do some desk sharing situation. Family interruptions are real and household emergencies will happen while you're there that may or may not work out. Don't do it all, do hire out. Use delivery services and hired help.