I work from home AMA

[JaynePoole]

As requested on the request thread :)

I've worked from home for over 8 years.

Was it always your aim to work from home, or did it just turn out that way?

Hand on heart, do you really work as hard as the average office worker?
I’m sure if I was at home Id be tempted to drink coffee, watch tv, do housework, etc so how do you motivate yourself?

Was it always your aim to work from home, or did it just turn out that way?

No, I went for the job and it just happened to involve working-from-home. I underestimated it in terms of how big a change it was.

Do you feel more socially isolated than working in an office?

Do you procrastinate more (or less!)?

How do you think you would manage if your home working ended and you went back to an office?

Has it affected your career progression?

How the hell do you hey any work done?
I have been studying this year and am most productive if I go to library, if I study in the house I switch tv on/ fanny about/ eat biscuits and drink tea/ suddenly have an urge to sort out my underwear drawer.
Any tips on remaining productive at home?

I work from home a couple of days a week, I like to go into the office though, I miss the banter

What’s your job!?

I work from home too - slightly different though as I run my own business.
I started a business as my DC have SEN so it was easier to work around the appointments, there was no way I would have got enough leave in a traditional 9-5.
HeartZone, yes! I work when the kids are at school and often don't eat lunch or even move from my desk, and then work again at night when I talk to my US clients.
Hasn't affected career progression - I am already the boss
I am more organised now than in an office - knowing it all depends on you means you get systems in place quickly that works for you and you aren't restricted by company policy and red tape or procedures that make no operational sense.
I would hate to work for someone else now. I like being the one to make decisions and decide whether to take that risk or not. I like the flexibility to take time off if needed - like this half term. I can work around appointments and school commitments. I don't think there is a job out there that would give me the operational and physical freedom as I have now.

Do you feel more socially isolated than working in an office?

A lot more, yes.

Do you procrastinate more (or less!)?

Hmm. Probably on balance, a lot less.

How do you think you would manage if your home working ended and you went back to an office?

I think I'm spoiled for life. I don't think I could go back to working in an office. I'm too used to the autonomy and perks of WFH.

Has it affected your career progression?

Only in terms of the above, that I'd probably not be tempted by any job that wasn't WFH. It's probably self employment for me from now on.

Glitter kitten - there is a great chrome extension for the pomodoro technique that I like to use when lacking in motivation.

How the hell do you hey any work done..?

I look at my job list and ask myself how long it will actually take and then promise myself I can have the rest of the day off once that's done. Also, I sometimes work from a nearby study centre attached to a college. Fewer distractions there.

Some days I get very, very little done though.

Does anyone else think the OP may be working at the mo?! 😂

I work from home a couple of days a week, I like to go into the office though, I miss the banter

I think that's probably ideal.

What advice would you give to someone just starting working for themself from home, rather than an employer.
Any pitfalls to be aware of?
Thank you for the thread.

What’s your job!?

It's just a regular office job with a fairly progressive employer.

What advice would you give to someone just starting working for themself from home, rather than an employer.

I think Melted will probably give you the best answer but,

Any pitfalls to be aware of?

I'd say, don't set yourself inflexible rules. Sometimes I want a lie-in, sometimes I want an early finish, sometimes I want to get dressed and work from the study centre and sometimes I want to start my day whilst I'm still in bed.

Thank you for the thread

You are welcome. I never thought I'd ever have an AMA to offer!

I also work from home a couple of days a week. I really do work properly but I have the kind of job where I’m in calls and email all day. I will admit to folding laundry during phone meetings if I’m not playing an active part and a head set comes in very useful for this. However most meetings are via Skype and I’m often back to back so don’t get a chance to even breathe. It’s not unknown fir me to start a meeting and ask for 30 secs to make a cup of tea, joy of a hot tap. Luckily we have an excellent WFH culture so it works very well but it’s far from a doss!!

I wfh and wild horses couldn't drag me back to an office environment. Plus you can have a toastie whenever you want.

RomanyQueen - be clear on your goals. Recognize at the start you cannot do it all. Be logical in what you need and when - if you don't need it RIGHT NOW then have a trello board for parked ideas and brain dumps for later consideration. It will all take longer than you think. Work in sprints. Imposter syndrome is REAL so you sometimes just have to fake it till you make it!

Also, trello rules my life. Everyone needs trello! I have tried and tested a load out there, but trello is amazing. It keeps me, my life and my team organised! Also, beware of shiny object syndrome!

I work from home 1 day a week- work for a local authority who have decided to not provide desk space for everyone and 'expect' everyone to work from home 1 day a week.
I was against it at first- in Winter I have to have my heating and lights on most of the day ( no recompense for this) but a couple of years in I love it. Peace and quiet- no yammering colleagues! work done in half the time without the distractions of the office.
I get up 30 mins later as no commute, put a wash on before starting for the day and peg on the line in my 10 am break (10 mins) also arrange deliveries (including weekly shop) for that day. Work until my usual time to arrive at home with the advantage of dinner in the oven. Lots of advantages but you have to be 100% disciplined to make it work- I always make sure my 'output' is at a minimum equal to or more than a day in the office.
I have also had time where I had injured myself and could not have physically got to work - but was able to work from home for the duration (broken foot) - works well for me but understand would not be the same for everyone

What are your general duties in your job from home? Do your DC go to nursery or always at home?

What are your general duties in your job from home? Do your DC go to nursery or always at home?

I don't have children. My role is office work, so project management, doing financial stuff and then writing it in a way that others can understand. I don't line manage anyone, but I do mentor. I work in London one day some weeks.

I went back in to an office job after WFH for 7 years and lasted 2 weeks! It really does spoil you.
Luckily I am now WFH again most of the time with some regional travel to meetings so best of both worlds.

OP my question is if you had to go back into an office environment, let's say due to redundancy, would you be able to cope and what would be the worst thing about it?

God I’d hate to go back to an office ( worked from home mostly for past 3 years). Putting up with other people’s smelly lunches, hearing their telephone conversations, arguments over air conditioning etc!