Advice for a new telecommuter. Tips for the world's most well-known work at home dad, Barack Obama
>> 11.16.2008
Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the news and in my hurry to be on top of the newest updates, latest scandal, most moving photograph, I miss the obvious relevancy of a major news story. Tonight I realized I'd overlooked the biggest news story in the work at home world in four years. The most recognizable home office in the world is about to be occupied by a new work at home dad.
This work at home dad happens to be running a country and his home office is known my name to millions, but in the end, president-elect Barack Obama's biggest transition will be from Blackberry addicted on the move Senator to a secluded, yet anything but private life, as a work at home dad.
Now he would be an interesting "A Day in the Life" guest poster.
My advice for Obama, learned from my home office mistakes:
1. Keep home life separate from office life. My "office" includes my work computer and the family-fun computer, which means the office sometimes turns into the family-fun room. My boyfriend loves to play online poker, so I get to balance concentrating on my new blog post with intermittent curses of defeat and cheers of triumph.
2. Change is good. Obama knows the value of change, but will he be able to translate it into his work life. A trip to his local Starbucks might be out, but working in a different room or taking the laptop outside do much to encourage fresh thinking. I'm chained to a desktop, but have begun to do offline reading from a different room.
3. I love the idea of a first puppy, but don't allow the puppy anywhere near the Oval Office. I posted about the chain of damage my pound puppy, Reggie, raged on my home office. From chewing through ethernet cords to constant requests for lovin's while I'm working, I'm thinking of banning him from my home office.
What telecommuting tips do you have for the president elect as he prepares to take his (home) office?
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9 comments:
Kristine, This is a great post! My main piece of advice would be to set a schedule. It is extremely important to let the family know that just because he is around they can not interrupt his workday and of course, to let personnel know that just because he is around they can not interrupt his personal life.
Thanks for the love Karen! Feel free to submit it to your favorite social media site, I won't object, I promise!
I thought about adding setting a schedule. It's a good one. My schedule is sooooo off right now, it's too embarrassing to share. I broke my tail bone, I know, I know, it's pretty funny, and the pain and pain killers have me sleeping and working at all sorts of weird times!
Karen has said it all! Schedule (I could learn from that too :) )
Your choice of JFK was beautiful...
Great post! I would recommend staying off of Twitter and Plurk during the workday! ;)
Hi! I signed up for associated content and was wondering what you thought of them?? Can you email me (ToughGirlKat@gmail.com) and let me know what you think of their service?
A definite must is keeping work and home separate. My boss actually encourages me to work from the couch, in front of the TV, but I just can't focus that way.
Not my cup of tea.
Kristine, You're welcome! Don't feel bad about not being able to keep a schedule right now. Health comes first. Sorry to hear about your tailbone. It sounds painful. Sending healing vibes your way, Karen.
Web Betty, I know I agree, and out of your rss reader. I'm working on having set breaks for rss reading, twittering, forum reading, blog commenting and so on. I think I'll post about my productivity ideas soon.
Kat- I sent you an email!
Stefan- A boss who wants you to work on the couch, that's a new one!
Karen- I am feeling a little better already, thanks!
Kristine - I'm so new to telecommuting (in addition to my "real" job) that I really don't have any advice for Obama. But if you got him to be a guest poster, I would be VERY VERY impressed LOL.
Lyla
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