SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA JOB MARKET : COPING WITH COMMUTING : TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL HOME OFFICE

- Find a separate room for the office.

- Set definite work hours.

- Arrange for child care for children under 5.

- Get “dressed” for work. A bathrobe over your PJs doesn’t count!

- Have a separate business telephone and use either an answering machine or answering service for after-hours calls.

- Keep your contacts with colleagues and co-workers alive and current.

- Get out of the house at least once a day.

- Treat household interruptions as though you were at the office. In other words, they do not exist.

- Learn how to tell your family--firmly but nicely--that you are working and do not want to be interrupted.

- Make sure you have a door on your office space and be sure to close it when you have finished working.

Source: “Working From Home” by Paul and Sarah Edwards, published by Jeremy P. Tarcher.