[BNM] How can you make working from home bearable and productive? Suggestions please!

[remy at leftlogic.com]

Hi Leif,

I've been working from home for about 3 years now - I'm not sure if these
tips will work for everyone but they work for me.

I should add that I do let my working life bleed in to my personal life,
and I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea - but whilst I'm still
building my company (though at one strong, I still plan to grow) it keeps
me driven.

1) I tend to move office spaces within the home every month or so.  I move
from bedroom, to the lounge to the garden.  I tend to find that if I get
too comfortable within one environment I start to slack (this doesn't
apply when working in an office though).  The effect of moving is similar
to starting a new notebook - you want everything to be perfect and there's
a renewed focus.

2) I snack regularly.  Not crap like chocolate bars, but cereal, breakfast
bars, fruit, toast, lots and lots of water - it should really apply
regardless of the working environment, but it should be easier since
working from home has the kitchen just in the other room.

3) Find something to talk to.  I've got 3 cats so it's easy (sure, call me
mad, but at least it's not to myself!).  It's nowhere near as good as
actually bouncing ideas of other people, but it helps to have actually
broken silence during the day.

4) (Try to) get a supportive partner.  The more I talk to my wife about my
work (what I enjoy, what makes me tick) the more she understands the
pressure I can be under.  On the flip side, when there's no pressure, make
sure you're using the time wisely - spoil your partner as much as you can.
 If you can, make sure there's things that you always do with your partner
- like hit the cinema, making sure you eat together, etc all the time. I
should add that my wife is the best :-)

5) Even though my day starts at 9am, and because I work from home I can be
at my desk in seconds.  However, I've found starting my day at 8am or
earlier makes a huge difference in what I feel I achieve by lunch.  Then
by the end of the day, if I feel it's been particularly productive, I'm
less likely to want/need to work on in the evening.

I would also add (though I wanted to keep it to 5 points) - as cliché:
make sure you love what you're doing.

Cheers,

Remy Sharp
Left Logic

blog ~ http://remysharp.com
twitter ~ http://twitter.com/rem
work ~ http://leftlogic.com
project ~ http://jqueryfordesigners.com