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Organization and Time
Management
The following organization and time management strategies will prepare you for telecommuting. Although many of these strategies are simple, often they are overlooked by telecommuters when they begin working away from the traditional office.
Getting Organized
Before the first day of telecommuting, develop a comprehensive "To Do" list. Review your "To Do" list and decide which tasks can be done at the Telecenter. Next to each item identify the technology, reference materials, and the amount of peer/supervisor interaction that may be needed to complete the task. Revise the list based on what realistically can be done at the Telecenter according to available resources. Refer to Exercise #4 in the "Hands-On Approach" chapter.
Scheduling the Telecommuting Day
Schedule your telecommuting day by identifying which tasks will be completed at what time. Developing an hour-by-hour itinerary for the telecommuting day can be useful. Keep the needs of the organization in mind when preparing your schedule. You should be accessible to your clients, peers, and supervisor. Once you telecommute a few times, it becomes easier to develop a daily itinerary. It also becomes easier to identify a reasonable work load. Refer to Exercise #5 in the "Hands-On Approach" chapter.
Establishing a Routine
Many telecommuters benefit from establishing a routine on their telecommuting days. Try to start and end your work day at the same time. If necessary, have a ritual that starts the work day and one that ends the work day. This ritual may be as simple as checking your voice mail, having a cup of coffee, or reviewing the day's schedule. Given that most Telecenters are quiet work environments, many telecommuters keep working and forget to take breaks. Remember to take scheduled breaks during the work day.
Developing Good Work Habits
It is most important that you maintain and develop good work habits at the Telecenter. Suggestions to help make your telecommuting day highly successful are:
Managing the Non-Telecommuters
When you begin telecommuting, many of your co-workers may feel inconvenienced by your absence in the office. You need to make sure everyone not only knows you are accessible, but that they have adequate information on how and where they can find you. A helpful tip is to prepare a memo to your co-workers providing them with your monthly telecommuting schedule and the phone number for the Telecenter. Encourage your co-workers to communicate with you via voice mail, e-mail, fax, or any other electronic means that is available to your company. It is the responsibility of the telecommuter to be as accessible as possible.
If you feel your peers are not convinced that a telecommuting day is a work day, try to demonstrate to them the only difference in completing your work is the location where your work is completed. Once again you need to educate them about telecommuting. Let your co-workers know how productive telecommuting can be.
When necessary, attend departmental meetings in person, or make arrangements to attend by teleconferencing. It is easy to be involved in a meeting at the traditional work place by using a speaker phone. Audio conferencing can also be used to discuss your projects or work with your telemanager or peers.
Dealing with Distractions
Since you will be working closer to home, you may be subject to distractions from friends and family. Advise everyone that although you may be able to attend to personal needs more conveniently than before, your work responsibilities have not changed. Schedule your family and personal needs so as not to interfere with your productivity at the Telecenter.
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