Reposted from Inc.com

Inc.com‘s take on working from home

If you’ve read this blog for long, you must have figured out that I work from home.  I recently found a funny post that I can relate to in many ways.  This is her lead-in to 8 Work-from-Home Tips:

Inc. Magazine lives in New York City. I live in the Boston suburbs. So for three years I’ve been working out of my home office with nothing to look at but the Ozark-esque compound across the road and nothing to listen to but squirrels striking the back porch when they miss the bird feeders. It gets lonely at times. My house lacks both a water cooler and peers to engage in conversation around one. I miss the random hallway conversations that unexpectedly ignite ideas or forge alliances. When I know my colleagues are staying late to close an issue, I work late too, out of solidarity. The managing editor offers to order in dinner and sends out a link to the menu. I mentally place my order.

Nothing to Listen to….?

I was interested in her description of lack of water cooler gossip and nothing to listen to as complaints.  She goes on to supply 8 tips that further intrigued me.  Instead of feeling relieved from the office distractions, this work-from-homer felt alone and isolated- in a too quiet place.  It’s hard to remember my home being too quiet, but I think it was before July 12, 2006 (the birth of our daughter).  And when I sit down to think about it, there are times that are too quiet- so quiet I can hardly think.  I start to look around at the specks on my carpet and the dust on my mantle instead of the work on my computer.  I’ve tried music, but it ends up distracting me at an even higher level.  Sometimes I can work with the TV on, but if it’s LOST, let’s be honest, I’m all in.  Too bad I don’t make money for the number of hours I have my computer open, right?

Besides setting aside time that is dedicated to work (not dishes, cleaning, diapers, or blog-reading), I also have to further protect my focus.  For me, it’s white noise (give this free white noise generator a shot if you’ve never tried one).  I love the consistency and gentle hum it brings as I stay glued to the page I’m working on instead of fluttering all over the place.  I love efficient work, so for more ideas for better focus while working from home, check out these tips- from me to you.  You’re welcome.