Comments on: The reality of home working

By: Time Billing Software

Time Billing Software — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:01:00 +0000

Working from home is always fun, but the thing is we need to keep track of everything, especially time tracking. I am currently using Replicon Time Clock for tracking my time and work.

By: Time Billing Software

Time Billing Software — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:01:00 +0000

Working from home is always fun, but the thing is we need to keep track of everything, especially time tracking. I am currently using Replicon Time Clock for tracking my time and work.

By: jw

jw — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:19:43 +0000

@Paul, When I first read this post, I also wanted to quantify how much time I spent on things. I started looking around and have been using this free gadget on IGoogle from http://www.tsheets.com/ I am not paying for any services from them and it seems to track enough info for me thus far. Similar to a time card, I clock in and out of categories I create and it allows me to track the following: Date, Day, In, Out, Hours, Day Total, Week Total, Job Code, Location (ISP), and Notes. Whether you use IGoogle or not, I still think you can do the same on the site. Not sure but thought maybe you might like it also for yourself and maybe your team since it allows for multiple accounts. @Paul ... Looks like they have an IPhone app: http://blog.tsheets.com/iphone_touch_time jw

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:56:18 +0000

I really enjoyed the working from home section of this podcast
I struggled working from home, so your insights into what has/hasn’t worked for you was all good info
Cheers! – first time listener

By: Home business opportunities

Home business opportunities — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:39:44 +0000

Wow, thanks for sharing your experience with us Paul.
I used to face the same problem too. I find that I can’t seem to stop myself from continuing to do work day and night.
Look forward to read more good stuff from you.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:29:22 +0000

Having the home "office" separated from the rest of the house for me is a MUST. We have a sun room that I love to be in and I've tried working from there but it is right next to all of the activity in the house. I've had to move to a room down in the basement with no view. But also no distractions. Thanks for the post.

By: eBay Guy

eBay Guy — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:21:45 +0000

Distractions are definitely killers for any home business. It's so easy to get distracted with kids, Televisions and even being on the computer in the first place, you will find yourself way out of what you were supposed to be doing. That's why I create lists of things I need to get done and set time frames on them. Also say "I will write 3 articles or blog posts a day" and stick to it.

By: Els

Els — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:13:47 +0000

@Paul, Yup, agreed, my suspicion too :-) (and I would even suspect any table being better than the kitchen table, but who knows, some kitchen tables might be large, clean, empty...)

By: Paul Boag

Paul Boag — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:29:53 +0000

@Els - You are totally right! I should not imply that working from a kitchen table is ALWAYS wrong. However, I suspect in the vast majority of cases it is.

By: Els

Els — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:31:23 +0000

Good article, and good to see you can get away from the standard list of ‘what should be good for everybody’. However, you’re still saying “You cannot work from your kitchen table when the room is also being used by the family.”. This is also something that doesn’t need to be true for everybody :-)
When I started working for myself, I did so out of a separate room. This worked okay, but after a year or two, I moved my office into the living room, and although this wouldn’t be good for most people for all the reasons you explained, it is for me.
My motivation was actually that the other people (two kids, then aged 6 and 7) were in the same room. When I was in a separate room, anything they needed me for, had me get up and walk to the living room. Now I only have to turn my head. (and having me in the same room has the side effect of them behaving better!)
Also, during winter, I now have to heat up only one room, while the room I was in before, never really got warm.
Distraction? I have no problem concentrating on code while Super Mario Kart is being played on my left, and the cheats are found on Mariowiki on my right. Phone conferences? I don’t do those, and on the rare occasions that I do need to phone with a client, I tell kids to be quiet or go to their own rooms. Need to concentrate more than usual on a certain task? There’s quiet school hours and late nights. Really, for me this is the best solution – we all live in the living room, including me when working.