Working from home

On the first day of September 2008 I began working from home. Not all at once, but gradually. I co-founded and then served as President and Chairman of a nonprofit for almost thirty years. Hanging up my spurs was quite a change. After a few days of fly fishing to clear the cobwebs I began settling into the rhythm of a home-based schedule. It’s been good—kind of strange—but it’s OK now.

My timing is different. During those years running my own gig I knew where I was supposed to be at 8:00 AM: in my chair, the mission of the organization in my crosshairs, leading my team in pursuit of our corporate adventure. Great stuff. Now, I’m free to start whenever.

Since I am my own boss—the donors and Board used to be—I work to the beat of my own metronome. No more starting my morning workout (I ride a bicycle) at 5:05 AM in pitch blackness. That’s good. These days I ride mid-morning after I’m brain dead from writing for five hours. Then, I clean up and pick up where I left off. I work until it’s time to fix dinner, just like in the old days.

The schedule does for me today what the 8-5 workday, the Board, and the donors used to do. The alarm goes off at the same time it did prior to September 2008. I employ the same tools in my study that I did in my office. I set goals and tweak my business plan just like I used to do back in the day—sans the team meeting in the Conference Room.

How you work from home? We’d love to hear your tips.