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Telecommuting confessions...

  • Artikel

I can use the phrase "good sweats" in a sentence with a straight face

I put on a little make-up to go to the gym (sorry, my girliness has to come out somewhere and the "good sweats" aren't doing it for me)

I've become even less tolerant of traffic and parking. If I have to go out, I try to avoid commute hours.

I sometimes forget what day of the week it is

I still have a minor obsession with office supplies and I thought of going to Staples as a "field trip"

I'm thinking of getting wireless so I can work in my backyard

I miss my shoes but my "good flip-flops" are getting a work-out

I log on before I brush my teeth (usually online by 7 AM) and I take a break to play b-a-l-l with Jonas in the afternoon

I secretly feel a little spoiled, even though I know I am getting more work done

Comments

  • Anonymous
    May 17, 2006
    Ha! What section in staples do you like the most? stationary? pens? Personally I like things that help with organization. Folders and paper clips.
  • Anonymous
    May 17, 2006
    Tadashi, I love the pens and I like the organization stuff. I also admit that I have my eye on a real "desk chair" for at home (I shouldn't tell anyone what I am sitting on right now but it's not a real "desk chair").
  • Anonymous
    May 17, 2006
    Go wireless.  At home, I work from my pool deck.  Nothing like a conference call to India at 8 am while you are drinking coffee on the patio or struggling with an ornery product brief while your feet are dangling in the pool. :)
  • Anonymous
    May 17, 2006
    Heather,

    Telecommuting is contagious and I've been fortunate to do it for about six years.  Due some family issues I parted ways with the company I was working for, but started my own computer consulting biz, so I can continue to work from home.

    There are those who don't like telecommuting, since they don't think they'll get much done OR there are bosses who are still stuck in the big beaurcracy of management that they need to "see their workers".

    I find telecommuting cuts down on the insane meetings that the ergonomic era has created.  I can sit in a call (with the phone on mute) and still get other work done when the call isn't focused on my tasks or turns off-topic.  I also love working in whatever trips my trigger at the moment.

    Keep it tup.

    ~ Jonathan
  • Anonymous
    May 17, 2006
    I am absolutely obsessed with butterfly clips.  I can totally commiserate on you about being obsessed with office supplies.
  • Anonymous
    May 17, 2006
    Lisa- you are making that sound really good. Obviously no pool here but still ; )

    Jonathan-I didn't always love it. I used to need distinct sepration between work and home. Now that I have a separate home office, I get that plus the comfort of not having to leave the house.

    Margo-I guess we all have out thing ; )
  • Anonymous
    May 17, 2006
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  • Anonymous
    May 17, 2006
    Heather, you can always get one of those inflatable pools for the backyard to dangle your feet in. I am sure your dog would love it too. Just be sure not to drop the laptop in it. All this talk about yards and pools makes me want to move out of NYC for more space. Vertical living is getting weary.
  • Anonymous
    May 17, 2006
    You forgot one other highlight, checking the mail, real mail not email. That is getting out for me.  Other than that, your post pretty much nailed my day.  8 months in on telecommuting...
  • Anonymous
    May 17, 2006
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  • Anonymous
    May 17, 2006
    I'm a 'newby' to telecommuting but love it!  

    You've got to get the wireless going.  Wireless is to telecommuting what telecommuting is to being in an office.  It will change your world.  Although I have noticed it causes my work 'stuff' to spread to other areas of the house, which I have to be conscious of given I share the house with my husband!

    Regarding office supplies...I'm on that boat with you!  Not sure if you've ever checked out office supplies in Germany but they are different -- and very 'cool'.  Not sure why that is...further take on BMW/German engineering style, perhap?  Anyone know of a place in Seattle that sells?  Could make a field trip out of it!  
  • Anonymous
    May 18, 2006
    Kim-the German office supplies sound interesting.
  • Anonymous
    May 18, 2006
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  • Anonymous
    May 18, 2006
    That's a loaded question...who is going to say they don't want to interact with co-workers ; )

    For me, since my team is dispersed around the US, we do a lot by phone. I schedule regular check in calls with the contractors that report to me.

    I get my social interaction other places, mostly. I go to the gym, meet friends for coffee, etc. I think it's definitely the kind of thing where you need to make an effort to get out. Luckily, my neighbor on one side is retired and on the other side works from home as well. So there are people sounds in my neighborhood during the day.
  • Anonymous
    May 18, 2006
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    May 18, 2006
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    May 18, 2006
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    May 18, 2006
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    May 18, 2006
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  • Anonymous
    May 18, 2006
    Definitely go wireless! I don't have a pool either, but it's awesome to be able to sit on my back porch watching my daughter play out of one eye and working/playing on my laptop with the other. :)

    I have considered tele-commuting, especially since last year's push by MSN, umm, Windows Live, to introduce flex-time. I commute from Arlington to Redmond (43 miles one way) and the primary thing that has kept me from telecommuting at all is that I ride a vanpool. With Microsoft's subsidization, I only spend $8/month out of my pocket to commute on the vanpool. Obviously I still have the travel time, but when I'm not driving I can sleep, work on my laptop or read. The other nice thing is that staying late isn't an option anymore.

    If I were to lose the vanpool then I would tele-commute 2-3 days a week. I still couldn't let go completely of face time with my boss/co-workers and the design sessions I have with my fellow dev.

    I can't say it enough though...get wireless! :)
  • Anonymous
    May 18, 2006
    Oh, and Gretchen's comment is hilarious! I love her new company's hierarchy. Sounds like her and Zoe are the Individual Contributors while the animals are climbing the management ladder. Sweet! :)
  • Anonymous
    May 19, 2006
    tod-that vanpool is a good work/life discipline tool for sure. I can definitely understand why dev teams need some face time. Makes sense. I'm in an unusual role (unusual in that I kind of made the job up and then sold my chain of command on it) that is primarily externally focused. I do have meetings when I run programs but since the participants are often working remotely as well, it's no problem to have the meetings on the phone. I'll go into the office every now and then but mostly prefer to meet work friends for lunch or dinner.  

    And there's no question who's running the place over at Gretchen's house ; )
  • Anonymous
    May 19, 2006
    I have this Verizon card that allows you to be wireless anywhere (airport, car, Yosemite, Fallujah, whatever). I used to have to go to places that "had wireless" -- Panera Bread, "hotspots," etc. Now I can ... work everywhere!
    Todd
  • Anonymous
    May 23, 2006
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  • Anonymous
    May 24, 2006
    Oddly enough, I too play ball too and have become spoiled because of it. Good day.
  • Anonymous
    May 25, 2006
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  • Anonymous
    June 29, 2006
    PingBack from http://www.ontelecommuting.com/2006/06/29/how-can-i-become-a-telecommuter-2/