When people think of work at home, they picture a life of leisure, make your own hours, bossless existence that's free of cubicle walls and office politics. While some of that is true, in the virtual work world there is still a certain amount of structure that is necessary in order to maintain the right balance. You are now the boss, the worker and the person who sets the schedule. And the office politics come down to setting boundaries about your work hours in daily dealings with family and friends. A more flexible schedule is one of the No. 1 reasons people list for wanting to become a telecommuter. But a flexible schedule can also be one of the biggest drawbacks. For those telecommuters who have to check in with an office, or be part of conference calls, a structure may already be built in. But for those who are given projects that merely have an upcoming deadline, working at home can sometimes feel like those old college days cramming for an exam. Leave the project until the last minute, and you'll be pounding Red Bulls and pulling an all-nighter. Not good for your business or for your health. While you don't have to work the usual 9 to 5 unless there are demands that you keep that schedule, it is wise to create structured hours. While one telecommuter may find that she works best from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then has her afternoons free, another may be used to working a graveyard shift and finds that he is most productive from 3 to 11 p.m. One of the biggest reasons work at home sometimes fails is when there is no structure. When you begin telecommuting, and if you have the flexibility to make your own hours, start from Day 1 on a regular work schedule, which means an eight hour day, with a half hour to one hour for lunch. It's best not to sit at your desk and eat a Lean Cuisine like you did in your former cubicle days. One of the perks of working at home is to not have to pack a lunch, so take the time out to enjoy it even if you still opt for a microwaveable meal. Staying within a structure, and keeping family and friends attuned to the fact that even though you are at home there is still work to be done, will be a challenge. From the get go, inform those close to you that you do have specific work hours and that during those hours it is no different than when they had to contact you at your previous job. Constant personal phone calls and interruptions are generally forbidden in an office setting, and the same goes for work at home. The most important thing to remember, for your sake and theirs, is that when your day is over and you've put in your hours, you are done for the day. Close the office door, turn out the light, and begin your commute home, even if it is to a room right next door.
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