Thanks in large part to technology, working from home — or telecommuting — is big and it’s getting bigger. More than 2.6% of U.S. employees (3.3 million people, not including the self-employed) roll out of their bed and into their office chair each workday, an increase of 80% since 2005. Factor in entrepreneurs and it’s believed 1 in 5 Americans now call home their workplace.
As an at-home worker, you could save between $2,000 and $7,000 in transportation and other costs annually, a nice bundle of cash to help create a healthy and productive home office you’ll enjoy working in.
Here are 3 ways to make telecommuting work for you:
- Location: You’re going to be doing real work, not your taxes, so don’t make your kitchen your office. Choose a spare bedroom, if possible, or an area of your home where you won’t hear your kids playing video games or your spouse on the phone.
- Home office, not office home: You don’t have to work in a drab office so don’t replicate that environment at home. Give yourself ample space, plenty of natural light, a desk light, an ergonomic chair and a large enough computer screen. If looking out the window won’t distract you (much), orient your desk so you face a window — heck, your boss had a corner office with a view, why shouldn’t you?
- Smart filing: While you don’t want to work in a tiny impersonal office cubicle, you may not have a huge space to devote to your home office. Be sure to organize filing and storage effectively in a way that complements your work style — drawers or filing cabinet, for instance, but not boxes or piles on the floor. Except for your most pressing to-do items, keep your stored papers behind you or in a closet while you’re working.
You’ll find more great home office design ideas here and here. Do you work at home? Tell us about what you love — or dislike — most about it and how you make your home office space work for you in the Shop Talk Blog community forum!
Did you know: 1 in 2 of us can telecommute?
It’s estimated that 50% of us have jobs compatible with at least part-time telecommuting. Those most conducive to home work? Management, professional and sales. Least likely? Not surprisingly, farming, fishing and the military. (Source)
I agree with everything that was stated in the article 3keys to creating a home office you will love. And feel that it was very informative on how and what the dies and don’ts of working from home.
I am getting to retire from my job.Looking into work from home.
Thank You
I would love to work at home as well– I have a two sick sons whom need my undivided attention, I give all my time and energy to my kids, I therefore need extra $ — I mean who doesnt I dont qualify for any assistance nor any medical problems that would cause me to collect benefits…..anything helps thank you
This is a very good article. I’ve had a home-office for awhile, just lacked the clients I needed to truly profit as a secretary/copywriter. I suggest that having the right desk and lighting for such a room or space is also important. I had a nice one I gave up in 2010 during a lapse in judgment, to exchange it for a roll-top computer desk that had the wrong hanging file measurements, including a few more dysfunctions! It matters.
Be home with family and kids! Wouldn’t were about traffic or time clock. Something I really would like to do. thank you
I don’t work at home but I sure think about it.
I’m retired and would a home office job. How does one go about getting one?
You caught me on a good day with nothing to do todaybut surveya ok so have a good day today
I need a work at home job very sick also and have no money to put out to start an at home job either. Please advise.
When you find a work at home job where you do not have to put out any money money up front, please share, I am BLESSED I am now a cancer survivor and unemployed, looking for work to do from home as well. GOOD LUCK w/ your search.
Me gustaría trabajar en casa ya que voy hacerme una mínima oficinista para estudiar online. Me encantaría empezar por algo.
I don’t have a website or the web site I’m on cant remember it but I would like to know what I and how to star my own website.
Thank u
Thank you all so much
This was a very informative article, thank you very much!
I think it’s awesome I would love to try to earn a little money at home because I’m on a fixed income and I had to pay for all my medications so it would be nice to earn some extra money keep at it. 🙂
Thanks.I thank you all, very much!
Thanks.
Shopping for $
I do not work from home, however I would love the opportunity to work from home. I have a major illness that requires me to attend many dr appointments and have many surgeries which has caused me several jobs. I don’t have children and I love the idea of having your own office space set up.
I do not work at home but I’m looking for the opportunity to work at home.Right now I’m in compensation.Im not ready yet to go back to workI leave by myself and I would like to have an officei in my place!!