One of the first things new telecommuters like to do is work in their pyjamas just to say they’ve done it. As fun as that may be, dressing up for work will boost your productivity.
Telecommuniting seems beautiful on paper: work from home or any location you want, without the hassle of going into an office. Telecommuter Sylvia Marino explains how the day-to-day realities are quite different from the perceived fantasy.
Freelancing isn’t something you should just jump into, but it makes sense for a good number of workers. If you’re looking into, or getting started with, working on your own, here are 10 resources we think every freelancer can learn from.
Here at Lifehacker we regularly look at technology and tactics to make working at home easier and office designs to simplify the process. But there’s one issue that planning can’t solve: are you actually up to the task?
Even if you work from home, odds are you’ll be out and about at some point during the day. Weblog WebWorkerDaily explains why it’s especially important for those who work from home to keep some alternative offices in mind.
If you’re lucky enough that—even occasionally—you can telecommute to your job (though web commute seems more accurate these days), you’ve no doubt learned that working away from the office comes with its own set of problems—and solutions.
Whether you telecommute a few days a week or work from home full time, working from home isn’t the walk in the park office workers sometimes envision it to be.
Starting out as a freelancer can be an exhilarating experience, but that part ends right about when you realise you don’t know where to turn next to find your gig. The FreelanceSwitch blog updates its Monster List of freelance job site to more than 150 sites of work offers and contract bidding, including a few non-English options. The best work you’ll get as a freelancer usually comes from folks and firms you already know or can network with, but for filling in the monetary gaps, this list isn’t a bad place to start.
Some of us work extremely hard and never have time for our personal lives, and particularly, our own families. Perhaps, however, it’s time to change that. Consider this: it’s pretty difficult to be productive for over 80 hours a week. Instead, take a break during the evening and focus on family time (especially during dinner). At the end of the day, you’re making that money so that you can attend to your family—but your family should not be put on hold while you’re hard at work. What changes have you made to emphasise family over your career? Let’s hear your best moves in the comments. Balancing Work & Family [FreelanceSwitch]
The Freelance Switch work blog rounds up 10 low-cost improvements that can improve a home office (or most any office, really), including LH editors’ favorite, the cordless workspace. One trick in particular could be a boon for those dwelling in fluorescent-lit caves: If your office doesn’t get a lot of daylight, you might want to begin by maximizing that. Make sure your windows are clear of anything that impedes the light. If you are on the ground floor but facing the wrong direction to get much natural light, you can use a strategically placed mirror outside to reflect more light in. Similarly on the inside a mirror can help push light around your room.
I get sunlight in my office, but in the wrong direction, so I’ll definitely be trying this out soon. How have you improved your workspace without breaking the bank? Share your tips in the comments. Photo by flikr.
10 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Home Office Cheaply [via Dumb Little Man]
