There aren’t any “official” rules for working from home, but I’ve decided to make up my own.
- Bathe daily and try to change your shirt and underwear at least every other day.
- Clean up your office once a week (even if it’s just removing coffee mugs and food wrappers).
- Limit your work hours. You need to sleep.
- If you have a deadline and you need to stay focused, turn off your e-mail alert.
- If your home office is a mess, meet with clients somewhere else. They say they don’t mind your mess but they do and they may be trying to figure out how to fire you.
- If possible, don’t let your kids use your computer. If you get a virus, you can’t work. If they get a virus they can’t play computer games. Do the math.
- Make sure every phone you own has Caller ID. It’s the best invention since chocolate.
- Make sure your mute or hold button works. Sometimes they don’t, which means you may have some explaining to do.
- Don’t answer your business phone if your kids are screaming or your dogs are barking. That’s why you have Caller ID and a hold or mute button.
- Set ground rules with your friends and family and let them know that even though you work from home, you’re not available to wait for the cable guy or plumber.
- Don’t use a chair from your dining room or kitchen as your desk chair. Pony up the money. It won’t cost you much for a descent, ergonomically correct chair.
- Teach your kids to leave your office supplies alone. In fact, buy them their own set.
- If you’re (literally) working naked, please wear underwear. ‘Nuff said.
From ho hum to yum
I’m speaking from personal experience and the way I solved that was by perfecting “the look”—a skill not everyone has—that turns your face from sweet to she-devil in seconds. It works on spouses too.
