As we become more and more of an online society, we realize that we can do a great deal of "work" from our homes. As you guys know, I am a full time student and a full time employee, so Time-Management is more than a concept, it's a constant exercise for me. What has saved me was taking a chance on distance learning (taking courses via the internet). This is more difficult than lecture courses because they really pile the work on to make sure you're reading.

Anyhoo, from a student perspective, becoming a "tele-student" feels weird at first. No drive to the campus, no lectures, no loud-mouth under-grad class mate who think they know more than the (PhD.) professor. It does take some getting used to. But once you get used to it, it is awesome. I'm not saying its better, because somethings you just won't learn as well on your own, as you will >not< have a chance to bounce your ideas and opinions off classmates and instructors, but you can still thrive and grow in an online environment.

In my career, I have been able to work from home at times, and I love that flexibility. Actually, I feel like I get more done because no one's coming over to tell me about their new car, or their new Sony Treo, their husband, wife, dog, cat, etc.. There are fewer distractions, and I don't have to go to lunch, I'm at home, lunch is a few steps away.

I got an article today which basically asked, can telecommuting kill a career? It seems like a great many (48% if I remember correctly) would take that chance, even if it meant harm to their career. Thirty years from now, we may all be telecommuting (I hope to be retired by then, I'll be 67, and eligible). But, for today, would you telecommute if you had the offer, or would you rather deal with (L.A., Dallas, Bay Area, New York, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago) traffic for the rest of your working life?

If I could work from home whenever I felt like it, I'd jump on that opportunity quicker than I'd jump in a jacuzzi with Angelina Jolie, Jessica Beil, Ryan Conner, Raven Riley and Vanessa Blue.

Would you telecommute if you could?

Telecommute. Kill a Career

Article: http://www.networkworld.com/news/200...er.html?page=1

 

I would if I could but it would be hard to keep focused when there are so many other things to do at home.

 

Pffftt... I made a killing as a consultant working remote. Where do I sign up?!

 

my first thought is "heck yeah"...but then I remember taht daytime TV sucks...and since Im not the busiest person in the world at work, I still enjoy all the gossiping and camaraderie with my fellow coworkers.

now, my wife gets one daya week to work from home, and her example of working from home is 8am log onto work, 9am Regis and Kelly 10 am Price is right, 11 lunch, 12 log back onto work , 1 Days of our lives, 2 check emails, 3 reruns of 90210, 4 oprah, 5 log off work computer..

 

As a matter of fact, that is what I am doing right now. I was even able to "pop" a rouge box on our Network and shut him down. Damn I love my job.....

 

I telecommute right now, and love every minute of it!

First of all, my commute is 15-seconds -- as I walk from my bedroom to my home office. This was a bigger deal before we had our son, since I could wake up at 7:55 AM and still be early to work. Now, however, a certain 22# little man makes sure I'm up at 6:00 AM whether I like it or not!

I also love sitting here in my PJ's and being at work! No having to get showered and shaved every morning just to look presentable in an office environment. If my company ever suggests we get "webcams" I'll fight it with every fiber in my body!

Another great advantage to my telecommuting is that during temperate times of the year (like now down here in Houston) I set-up my home office out on my garage workbench. So I get to sit here in my garage with my laptop, ol' Blue (my F-150), and in a few months Belle (my soon-to-be-purchased Mustang GT) and type away on reports or emails. Tell me -- who wouldn't want this to be their office workplace:




As far as productivity goes, I am FAR more efficient working from home than I ever was working out of an office. I have no problem whatsoever avoiding the distractions at home, and probably actually work more hours, since often times in the evening I'll be out in the garage and find myself plugging away at work related stuff.

In fact, as Hersh noted, I am amazed at how many more distractions there are in a typical office environment -- folks stopping by to chit-chat about their personal lives, pointless meetings, deciding where every one is going to for lunch, etc.

Now as far as career implications go, I agree somewhat that I feel "out of the loop" on some political issues that my office co-workers are more in tune to. But the flip side to that is I don't have to get caught up in all the corporate-political-interpersonal BS that often goes on in an office setting.

For me, the trade-offs are so minor that telecommuting is a "no-brainer" decision for me......

 

I worked from home when we got that glazing of ice the other day...

Won't see me tearing my truck up trying to get to work in conditions like that...

 

I would, but it would be hard to build airplane at home.

 

I have been working from home since 1998. It has it positives ... my blood pressure is a lot lower not having to drive in Atlanta traffic during rush hour and I rarely have to travel. The only problem is that there is no "work hours" nor "off hours". When I started I was working three different contracts and was billing 50 to 80 hours a week. The past couple of years I have slowed down to a total of 30 to 50 hours a week. But the last year has been murder. I worked 16 hours a day six and seven days a week. I did not have a day off from Labor Day until Thanksgiving. I am now trying to slow down to where I was a year ago. I want more time to spend with the wife and kids.

Owning your own company and being the main money producer is a lot of stress in itself. Any idle time you feel like you are not making money. I am delighted that I can work from anywhere. I have been on vacations, but I have to take two laptops (one as a backup) and stay in a place that I can connect to the internet. Even while we are "vacation" I could still end up working 40 to 80 hours a week. I have had a few "vacations" where I was only able to go down to beach with my boys for a total of three or four hours. (and one time it was during a two week stay!!!)

I do not know if I would be better off with a 40 hour work week, But setting in traffic and then setting in a cube or an office with a bunch of whiney, THINK they know it all, &$%^@% would definatly drive me crazy.

 

At the new building Id love to if it was possible. I hate being around management, and the newbies (who Im training to be my bosses ). Kinda makes me wonder what Im getting myself into after I finish college

At the old building when it was usually myself and two other guys who were great to work with and the manager there always brought fresh coffee And I actually enjoyed the drive to work. Not much traffic at 3AM and most of it was highway and freeway. Just turn up the stereo and drive.

 

I worked from home for 6 weeks after having each of my kids. I can do it any other time if the need arises now. I can do 85% of my work from here (less since I took over the accounts payable). We have a pretty decent environment at work so I don't mind going there.

Taking college courses online? Yep I'm actually taking a class on Microsoft Windows online this semester. Its an intorduction to computers class, how corny is that to be available online? We should automatically get at lease a B for just being able to log into the website the first day. However, I won't take most of my accounting classes online. I want to have my full attention on the subject as well as the instructor where I can readily ask questions while I'm being taught.

rdy with

 

I have one what I call "my job" where I have to get up at various times to be there 4 days a week and go tend to the companies customers. By various times that means that it ranges each morning from being there at 5:45 am - 10:00 am. then may work till 10:00 am or 5:00 pm. and get any where from 20 hours - 45 hours a week. This "job" consist of basically going around and BS'ing with customers and occasionlly some trouble shooting problem solving.

Then when I'm not doing that I run a few side businesses. 99% of that is online. The main one is ad design/marketing studio. I really dont care if they make a dime, it's more of a hobby that pays. (they do provide play money, so the more they make the more I get to play, but the more they make then the more time it takes from my play time.) So I try to spend 80-95 + hours a week during the fall and winter, then 20-30 - hours a week in the spring and summer. Sometimes occasionally it actually works that way too!!! but not very often......

Now between those too options, even though the telecommute is really a home based business, so adds a certain level of pressures, for me it's only the pressure that it's my name my reputaiton on the line for each project. Since it is from home and I do have a "job" then the house payment. electricitiy will get made, and I would have it regardless, so really I only consider that as true overhead come tax time. Kinds like my "gas" for work...

There are definate pros and cons between the too, I dont think I could do just one or the other for very long, I need both to give balance.

The con to working from home for me, I am a major procrastanator, but my love for money drives me to work. So if I have a chance to spend the next 2 hours mowing the lawn, or working and making another $100. Then my thought is the lawn can wait or I'll pay someone $50 to do it for me and I'll net $50. However later, I am still busy, got work waiting to be done and money to be made, the lawn still isnt done and I am to tight to actually pay someone. So 3 weeks have passed yard is to my knees and I am still working....... I have to force myself or wait til wife, kids, and neighbors are complaining enough then I'll force myself to stop and go mow the yard. same goes for anyother maintence or repairs. As long as it doesnt interupt my day to day, then I'll do it later when I dont have work, or pay someone....................