RE: Telecommuting Advice?

["Gerald Bourguignon" <gbourguignon -at- johnstonmadvac -dot- com>]

Donna,

You've been getting a lot of good advice in response to your request. My
advice is to use it, particularly those that talk about the importance of
keeping the lines of communication open. My telecommuting experience ended
on a sour note less than 2 years after it began. In hindsight I took on too
many changes at the same time. I moved into a new environment more than a
4-hour commute away, and I had no idea what it would be like to live there,
let alone work there. In addition, the communication wasn't that great when
I was in the office. Meetings would be scheduled from time to time, but they
would always be cancelled. So I guess it shouldn't have been too surprising
to me when communication didn't improve when I started telecommuting.

If you have a good working relationship with your manager and colleagues at
the office now, then it's just a matter of keeping that going once you start
working from home. But even "keeping that going" will take more effort on
your part. Be proactive. As has been pointed out by others, telecommuting
requires a great deal of discipline and focus. It's not for everyone. The
decision to work from home shouldn't be taken lightly.

---
Gérald Bourguignon
Rédacteur technique/Technical Writer
Madvac Inc., Boucherville, QC, Canada

-----Original Message-----
From: bounce-techwr-l-219385 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:bounce-techwr-l-219385 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com]On Behalf Of Jones,
Donna
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2005 11:35 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Telecommuting Advice?

Next week, I'm starting telecommuting part time (every other week on site)
and eventually moving to full-time (on site when needed, maybe a week or so
every month). I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing even though it will
eliminate a 2+ hour daily commute and will allow me to move closer to
family. I almost dread the thought of not being in the middle of things
every day (see my previous post about our work environment).

Anyone have any advice for someone about to start telecommuting and how to
deal with the usual stuff--boredom, distractions, lack of "face time" with
others? How do I keep from getting so starved for adult conversation that I
latch onto strangers at the grocery store or talk my husband's ears off? How
do I keep from rearranging the furniture in the house or doing my spring
cleaning when I'm supposed to be working? I'd like to know what's worked for
other people.

Thanks in advance,
Donna


Donna L. Jones
--------------------------------------
Technical Writer II
Zebra Technologies Corp.
Vernon Hills, IL
djones -at- zebra -dot- com

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