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When my wife telecommutes on the days that I am not working it is sometimes difficult to remember that she can't be disturbed. I had a very hard time with that when she first started. We also learned that it is impossible to work efficiently while the 20 month old is running around the house. She now makes sure that both the baby and daddy are going to be out of the house on the days she is telecommuting.
Pete Magnus

For me, a telephone headset is a must. I use a cordless type that allows me the freedom of movement to get up from my desk more frequently. 
Judy Sterling Marketing Director

"Network" with neighbors/ friends to solve problems. Who's home when the school bus drops off? Who else is stuck on a snow day? Who has kids of babysitting age? Who else is on the soccer team?
Pat Prehoda Graphic Design

To reassure coworkers that you’re really working at home—and they can feel free to call you—display some pictures of yourself in your home office. (This is bad advice if it makes your coworkers envious!) 

When my wife walks out the door, I start work. I stop when she comes back. It is socially unacceptable to go into the other room and say: "I’m not going to talk to you." 

An e-mail query comments that "Last summer, my company started allowing certain people to telecommute full-time. So far, all of us have gained weight. I think it is due to the reduction in general exercise involved with walking to the car, lunch, etc. Our work involves sitting at the computer all day. Has anyone else run into this?

A teleworker replied: "I've found just the opposite, but maybe it's due to the type of work. My job demands high-volume, high-quality output and large amounts of interaction with people and teams scattered around the globe."

"Working at home allows me to exercise (or do anything else) when it's convenient for me or to combine the two. For example, when I `arrive’ at work, I turn on my computer, then get on the treadmill with a telephone headset and answer the accumulated voice mail."

I get started in the morning by pulling on my sweats and taking the dog for a walk. Then I shower, dress and get down to work.

It’s hard to telecommute. Those who don’t do it, think it’s a breeze. This is a workday--not your day off. 

Telecommuting on a regular day—I prefer Thursday—gives a less pressured day and a change of pace. When you telework on Friday, it’s hard to put away your work—you just keep working on it during the weekend. 

I start the morning off with some work that is easy to accomplish or that I will enjoy doing. Or I start with work that’s overdue. When the roads are icy in the winter, not having to drive to work is enough motivation to get started. 

I start each day with a half hour of drinking coffee and reading a good book. Then I determine one fun thing that day I am going to reward myself with - maybe it's a walk in the park, or swimming at the pool, or eating one meal out. Then I get to work knowing what time my reward is due. If it's in the middle of the day it may mean that I come back and work clear into the evening, but that's okay. The reward and the break in the routine is what keeps me going. 
Sharon Hill freelance writer

Keep a second computer so if any one component goes out, you'll have an automatic Plan B. Use a cellular phone as backup when your phone system is down. Keep a second ISP just in case. Keep electronic backups, but also keep paper backups of important phone numbers, appointments and notes. 

Find more tips for home office survival in Michael Dziak's Telecommuting Success: a Practical Guide to Staying in the Loop while Working Away from the Office. 

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