David Prince
1. Figure Out if It’s Right for You
“Many of us would opt to work from home to save on child-care and commuting expenses, but it isn’t for everyone,” says Tory Johnson, author of Fired to Hired. If you thrive on the camaraderie of watercooler chitchat or are tempted to rush off to a sale at the mall without a watchful eye to tether you down, you probably aren’t the best candidate.
If you do think it’s for you and you currently work in an office, find out if there is any established protocol, like having a certain title to warrant telecommuting. Then put your request to your boss in writing; address your communication strategy and recommend a trial period for the arrangement. If you’re going the freelance route, make sure you have enough business lined up before you leave your current job. To learn about the legal aspects of self-employment, visit nolo.com, a website for small businesses and consumers. To find out about health-care options by state, go to ehealthinsurance.com.
2. Set Up an Ideal Office Layout
The most crucial factor in creating a work-friendly environment is an ergonomic and streamlined space. When you sit down at your desk facing your computer, you should:
* Angle your pelvis so that it’s slightly open, at 100 to 110 degrees.
* Bend your elbows at 90 to 110 degrees, so that your hands rest comfortably on the desktop and your upper arms are in line with your torso.
* Place your feet flat on the floor.
* Position your head above your hips and look straight ahead, without craning or straining your neck.
* Have no more than a fist’s space between the back of your knees and the seat of your chair.
* Keep your wrists straight when using the keyboard or the mouse.
3. Schedule Your Day
Create a structured routine, “which will help your mind and body adapt to a new working environment,” says Alan Hedge, Ph.D, director of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Laboratory at Cornell University. Concentration can falter in as little as 20 minutes, so Hedge recommends what he calls the 20-20-20 rule: Work for 20 minutes, break for 20 seconds, then while breaking, look 20 feet away to reset your focus and attention span. If you tend to stay up late or sleep in, you can help synchronize your body clock so you’re alert during working hours by stepping outside for 15 to 20 minutes each day. According to experts, sunlight helps stimulate the pineal gland, which produces melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
Keep reading: 2 More Rules for Working From Home
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