Working at Home? Get out of the house!
January 24, 2008
I’ve been working at home for the past two years, but I’ve just discovered a way to be more productive before 10 pm. Get out of the house!
With kids, there are always distractions. Even though my husband and I arrange our schedules so that we each get some work time in, inevitably that time gets interrupted by tantrums (the terrible twos are apparently going to go full steam through the threes) and child-related psuedo-emergencies.
So yesterday, I started taking my work outside of the home. I chose my parent’s house, as it’s right down the street and has a secure Internet connection. At first I just breathed in a sigh of relief at being in a quiet space during daylight hours. Then I worried how my husband was surviving his trial by fire with our daughters. Then I got to work. Three hours flew by fast and then it was time for us to switch shifts. But I got more done in that three hours than I had in the days preceding it. Was I done with my work? Not in the least bit. But I did have the time I needed to complete the “high focus” work that I needed to get done.
I’d always read that changing environment can be good for your productivity, and now I have the proof. Here’s why it worked for me:
-No distractions. Kids are loud. Even through earphones. And my motherly instincts (and the overwhelmed look on my husbands face) always won out when I tried to work at home.
-There’s a separation between work and home. At home, the desk needs to be organized, the office vacuumed, etc. Even though I have a dedicated work space it’s tempting to distract myself by cleaning it up or doing other “home” stuff. Getting out of the house makes that impossible.
-Focus=more productivity. For those few hours my sole objective is to write. There isn’t anything else that I have to do. It’s forced dedication.
If you work at home, how do you seperate your work and home life? Dedicated office? Getting out of the house? Incredible self-control?
Posted in Working at Home
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January 24th, 2008 at 1:23 am
I couldn’t agree more with you, Courtney. Problem for me is I have nowhere quiet to retreat to like you.
One thing I have learned is that just going outside and getting fresh air for a bit helps to clear my head and become more productive. I think sitting at a computer all day can really contribute to lack of productivity. Great post!
January 24th, 2008 at 1:28 am
Oh wow, I can’t believe I’ve avoided rickets this long. I never leave the house, it’s so sad.
January 24th, 2008 at 2:22 am
When it’s warm I take my work outside. Thank goodness for wireless connection. I can travel a fair distance from the house without the connection breaking. I can even print. I go all the way to our woods. My daughter is in plain view playing. I take breaks to join in on the fun.
I live on 4.5 acres of land; three of the acres are wooded. It’s a great getaway. I get a lot of work done in the morning. I’ve always been an early riser. I’m usually awake by 3:30. My daughter has been awakening around 7:30 or 8:00. I have at least four solid hours of quiet. I’m a single mom I use that to my advantage.
January 24th, 2008 at 2:58 am
Great points, Courtney! I think the combination of organization, taking breaks, getting away when possible, and lots of relaxing herbal tea do the trick!
January 24th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Welcome to the biggest,most hurtful lie every told to young parents. How many young parents are left feeling like complete failures when “everyone else” is soooooo successful working at home.
I don’t care how organized you are, you simply can’t spend 40 hours a week focused on your work when you’re responsible for small children at the same time.
January 24th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Oh, um. Yes. I definitely need to get out of the house more. I don’t have many distractions here but now that I work from home, I hardly ever leave. Especially now, when it’s so cold outside. Brr.
January 24th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I had one of my most productive days ever yesterday and I spent most of it at the library!
January 26th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Thanks for the great feedback guys! I know it’s difficult to get out of the house…but definitely well worth it.
Mark- Welcome to the blog! I’m curious, did you mean working at home is a lie? Working at home is easy is a lie?
And I agree…if I had a position where I had to work 40 hours a week it definitely wouldn’t be possible. Who would want to work that long? That’s one of the main reasons I work for myself…when my work is done, it’s done. No sitting at a desk pretending to be busy for the rest of the day. I think most freelancers would agree with that.
January 29th, 2008 at 2:32 am
I am finding it almost impossible to work with my little *almost* 6 month old. We’re in the inbetween stage where he’s not independent enough to play alone (well…he plays in his jumperoo for a bit), but he wants to wiggle and move and hates naps, haha. So I spend my days playing and keeping him entertained and trying to do my ghostwriting at the same time. I could work elsewhere as my hubby has 3 days off during the week…but I’m staying home for my baby so I don’t want to do that
I’ll figure it out 
January 29th, 2008 at 2:34 am
Also…when he’s older I think it will be easier for me to go out, but for now I’m his only source of food! Haha. Daddy would have a tough time…
January 29th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
It was much harder for me when my kids were younger. Now that my youngest is in school, I find I’m nearly as productive at home nearly as much as I am away. Unless, of course, DH is home. I still don’t think he gets it! I’m not complaining, there’s no better romance than a noon romance, LOL!
Anyways, I’ve found several hotspots in town I can work at. The library, a couple of coffee shops, a soup cafe, even the local community college. In addition to being more productive, I find it’s better for my health in that I can’t constantly rummage through the chips or the fridge.