Tips for Working from Home {when NOT at home!}

How do you work from “home” on the road

If you’re like me, you don’t have the typical office woes- water cooler gossip is pitifully slow and there really are no “noisy co-workers” to speak of.  That’s because we work from home.  Distractions still abound, that’s for sure, but they come in another form.  One of them is that we still have to work when it’s “vacation” time.  The kids are off school or the spouse is ready to take a break, yet we still have to clock hours to get our pay check.  For me, working from home is a blessing, but becomes quite tricky when my children are home for summer or longer breaks.  I’d love to pretend I didn’t have a job, but that’s what pays for our antics, so I can’t.  Thus, here are my time-proven tips for working when on the road for family trips.

Tips for Working from Home

• Work Ahead.  If at all possible, get work done ahead of time.  It’s not always do-able or easy, but if you can knock a few items off your project list, you will free some time up for your vacation and your family.
• Be realistic.  It”s important to set realistic, do-able goals for yourself.  That’s not to say not to have expectations or goals- just don’t expect to be away and get the same amount of work done as you would have while at home.
• Make Your Space.   Just like at home, you need to have your own space, even if it’s a corner.  Set up your work space with everything you need, and nothing more.  It may just be a few docs and your laptop.  Keep it simple.
• Plan Ahead & Communicate.  If you’re staying with friends or family, plan ahead and chat with them about what you need, when you’ll be working, and even just deadlines.  Instead of assuming they won’t be cooperative, assume they want to know and help you.
• Communicate with Your Family.  Along the same lines, speak with your family, even your kids, about when you’ll need to work.  It’s always lame for a parent to have to work on vacation, but if you plan ahead and come up with ideas of what they can do while you’re working, everyone will be happier.
• Tune Out Distractions.  Just like at home, noise can be a real nuisance.  Try a portable sound machine to cover distracting noises, including your own flesh and blood.  In a pinch, a fan might do the trick.

With these things in place, here’s to returning home having accomplished all that you hoped to!