Thoughts on working from home full-time?

[KSpan]

Has anyone gone from being entirely office-based to entirely home-based or is already working entirely from home?  I'm curious about views on the pros and cons.  An opportunity is on the horizon that would be 100% remote WFH, the team and management structure is already virtual so everyone works from home (not like I would be the only one), and most of the job is collaboration with folks scattered across the country/world anyway.  On top of the usual WFH savings (~ an hour a day of commuting and get-ready time, gas, etc.) the opportunity could be a promotion and not-insignificant pay increase, and while those factors aren't a huge deal as my wife and I live well below our current means.  

 

Gracias in advance for thoughts and experiences. 

[PhillyB]

can you compartmentalize?

 

i can't work in the same place i goof off.

[Hawk]

I haven't done it 100% full time but I have for stretches of a few weeks at a time here and there.  You really need to stay committed to it that's for sure....lots and lots of distractions!

[KSpan]

can you compartmentalize?

 

i can't work in the same place i goof off.

 

Good question and yes, I WFH on occasion now and find it very easy to focus.  It's refreshing to be able to get up and do some exercises, toss in a load of laundry, etc. as a productive short mental break rather than just zone out for a minute at my desk. 

[Inimicus]

I did it for several years and it wasn't for me.  It was far too easy for me to let simple chores like a trip to the grocery store turn into a series of tasks that totally derailed my day. 

[Doyle]

I've done it and quite frankly hope I never have to do it again.  Every situation is different so I don't want to compare my situation to yours.

[Crixtala]

i do it currently and have since March 2012... my work situation sounds very similar to yours.  everyone that i report to is wfh and 90% of my peers are as well.  i wouldn't trade it for anything, best thing that's happened with a job opportunity... ever.

 

i was the only person in our charlotte office that was in my department, so going in added no benefits.  my contact with my co-workers is 100% through IM/email/phone.

 

the money savings alone makes it worthwhile to me... when wfh, you'll have an IDEA of what you'll save... and then you'll far surpass it.  lack of commute and road rage is fantastic as well

[Zod]

WHat is this "work" you speak of?

[bleys]

turning stir crazy is prone to happen..  how you deal with that will determine if it works for you or not.

[Crixtala]

turning stir crazy is prone to happen..  how you deal with that will determine if it works for you or not.

 

this is the only problem that i have.  it doesn't help that i live in a townhome where my only view is pretty much a parking lot and everything my neighbors are doing

 

usually every few days (if i haven't gotten out of the house) i'll get a little antsy... but i try to have something in the middle of the week that gets me out of the house, whether it's running errands or just leaving and getting lunch somewhere

 

i also try to have weekend plans to get me out and about as well.

[thefuzz]

Not sure that I could do it, but my "work" is a lot different than most.

 

My fiance did it last week....it's def not for her.

[Captroop]

After I got fired from my last gig in August, I took a proposal manager contract that was 100% wfh, although one day I went into the office because we were on deadline and I really needed to push folks in person. So I did it about 1 solid month. And I instantly loved it; I thrived in the setting and did so well I was able to parlay it into a full time job. So now I'm back in the office...fug.

 

I would say the following things worked for me. You need to be 100% during work hours. I think the mistake people make is they start squeezing in trips to the gym, chores, grocery shopping (*ahem* rounds of golf *ahem*). And like it's been said in here, once you start treating you home office like your home, you lose sight of your objective, your concentration wanes, and your work suffers.

 

And it's all mental. It's like in college, when I used to study in bed. Then I had trouble sleeping, I had anxiety when I was in bed to sleep, because my brain associated "bed" with "study," "anxiety," "test." Same principle at home. Carve out a home office, and that's what it is. It's an office that happens to be in your home. If you try to work on the couch, in front of the TV, instead of being in work mode, your brain will be thinking "football," "video games," "fapping." You will never succeed that way.

 

When you work from home; when it's 9-5, it's go time. Give yourself little 15-30 minute sanity breaks like you would at the office, (I'd throw in a round of Battlefield 3, which is the advantage of having a home office), and take your lunch break, like you would in the office. But don't start treating your home office like your home. Don't do chores, don't watch a movie, don't hit the exercise bike. You have an extra hour in the morning and at night that you're saving by not commuting. Do that stuff then.

 

If you can keep the home and home office separate entities, you can make it work.

[Happy Panther]

What catpoop said.

 

I was lucky enough to start my own company but it's just me so far (hopefully change soon)

 

I have a great home office in the mancave upstairs. I typically pop up and shut the door at 8:30 and my wife (who is a SAHM) treats 8:30 - 3:00 ish as work time. She may pop up to say hey but generally gives me space.

 

I do work until I get tired and then go pop into the mancave portion and play some XBOX. In my view every office in the world should be set up like this. There is nothing more refreshing than blowing the heads off people for 20 minutes. 

 

The biggest upside is (and this disagrees with the poster above) is being able to grab your cellphone and walking 9 holes of golf. When I do this I feel like I have won the lottery

 

It's great and there are tons of upsides and I hope I will never give it up.

 

Biggest downside is the lack of social work interaction. At my last company there was always a group you could grab to have a beer at closing time. Or grab lunch with. Or talk politics with. If I get screwed over by a client There isn't a compassionate and understanding compatriot but rather a slew of friends and family who glaze over pretty quick.

 

I realize this is a little unique to the sole proprietor but it will also translate to the wfh guy in a big company,

 

Unfortunately now I know that the kids and wife are going to be my companionship at 5:00. LUCKILY if I need the odd lunch to blow off the afternoon I have a wife I get along with really well. And I do have one buddy in a similar situation. Otherwise I could see myself sitting alone at a bar at 12:00 on a Tuesday.

[Gabeking]

WHat is this "work" you speak of?

Vemma verve obvi