Business | Opinion
On the job with Rania: Tackling distractions in telecommuting
Do not allow working from home to turn into a constant struggle against time and inability to concerntrate on task at hand
- By Rania Oteify
- Published: 00:00 January 28, 2012
- Have a professional workspace with proper equipment.
- Work your work hours, use breaks for minor chores.
- Multitasking is only good if you can do both jobs efficiently.
- Go offline when your off-duty and reenergise yourself.
A couple of weeks ago, Seattle was hit by a major snowstorm that forced the city and its surrounding areas to close schools and offices, including mine. Initially, it seemed fortunate that I have a job that is mostly writing and editing and could be done from home — that was until reality hit harder than the storm. Working from home turned into a constant struggle against time and distractions.
For someone who previously worked full-time from home without a problem, I wondered what was different. The only answer I could come up with was the lack of routine.
In the hope of validating this conclusion, I came across a survey done by the online job service, Careerbuilder, in September that found occasional telecommuters — or those who work from home part of the time — report a significant drop in their productivity. Nearly 17 per cent said they spend just one hour or even less on work a day if they telecommute.
They also report distractions — from house chores and TV to the internet and children — as major problems in working from home.
No one can deny the benefits of telecommuting in terms of savings on petrol and time, however. So if you've the opportunity and telecommuting appeals to you, consider a few tips that can develop your routine and eliminate your distractions during work hours:
Identify the problem
Yes, it is the first step to finding a solution. If your distractions are a result of the home environment (ie, children, pets, television, etc.), insulate your work space by simply having a closed place that far from distractions. Maintain a proper work schedule in terms of resisting the urge to take extra breaks, run errands or do anything that you would do if you work in the office. If you use your breaks for doing house chores, keep an eye on time. It may also help to explain to family and friends that during work hours you are unavailable to answer the phone, chat, etc.
Once you establish this routine, you need to show self-discipline. You might not have a boss who is looking over your shoulder or a co-worker who could notice you're taking a two-hour lunch break, but it is your duty as an adult to focus on realistic goals and try to get the work done in its assigned timeframe.
Check your environment
If you occasionally lag behind or you find it difficult to eliminate distractions, you might need to look into other aspects that could be working against you. For example, check you've the appropriate facilities and equipment to do your job. This ranges from having a reliable computer, internet connection or a phone to having decent lighting, ventilation and an organised place to work. The common image of a working-from-home mom who is toiling at the kitchen table is exactly the situation that you must avoid.
Look at the bigger picture
An instant saving for a parent who works from home can be in child-care expenses. However, this decision cannot be made without looking into how far having children, particularly young ones, can impact your work quality and their own safety. Issues to think about include whether you'll still able to provide a professional setting to do your job and whether you will be able to pay a decent attention and care for your children.
Go offline
This might not be a problem for occasional tele-commuters who are still on an office schedule. However, those who work full time from home may be tempted to go beyond the limits of their duty and hours either for their constant need to catch up or just because the line between work and life has become so blurry. This can only lead to fatigue and a lower quality of work. Therefore, make sure once you're off, you're off and willing to relax and enjoy home and life activities. That is the only way you can make sure you return with full energy to a new day at work.
Rania Oteify, a former Business Features Editor at Gulf News, is a journalist based in Seattle.
Distraction-free zone
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