This is a guest post by Amanda Green.
In today’s world, the lure of telecommuting and internet marketing beckons to many people in the American workforce. The slightest hint of a thought of avoiding the dreaded heavily congested, full-of-construction-and-accidents-rush-hour traffic during the daily commute to the office is enough to bring a smile to the faces of most American workers. After all, many workers have to deal with congested traffic for two hours or more each day. That is two hours of non-productive time that most people would prefer to use enjoying some leisure time away from work.
In many urban areas, like Washington DC, people commute from as far away as West Virginia, which is a three hour trip one-way. That is a six hour commute! Add that to the average nine hours that the worker is actually putting into the workday (eight hours of work with a one hour break) that does not leave very much time for the American worker to spend at home, with a family or friends. Or even sleep!
If the average worker has to commute five days a week, that time adds up fast! Assuming two hours a day, five days a week, fifty weeks a year (hopefully the worker gets two weeks of vacation) that comes to five hundred hours a year! That is almost twenty-one days a year spent stuck in rush hour traffic!
Although many commuters interested in self-improvement opt to listen to pre-recorded books or lectures while commuting, there are plenty of commuters that listen to the radio instead; listening to the traffic updates to see where the accidents are and where they might need to detour. Others spend the time talking on their cell phones, eating their breakfast, or applying their make-up. Once they get to work they may complain about how terrible the traffic was that day and how much they would love to be able to work from home.
Some forward-thinking companies have programs that allow their employees to telecommute. With the assistance of software programs that allow people to remote-access their work files from any computer anywhere, being chained to a desk at the office is no longer a requirement for many jobs. If you find yourself lucky enough to work for a company that allows you to telecommute, or if you become self-employed in the internet marketing business (say perhaps dedicating your life to the pursuit of blogging yourself rich) do not underestimate the importance of creating a home office.
Sure, thinking about sitting in the recliner, feet up, with a laptop computer on your lap, watching television while making a good living blogging sounds like a dream come true. And it can be fun to do that. But after just a few short hours you may find your shoulders feel like they are on fire, your wrists hurt, and your lower back aches like somebody took a sledge hammer to it!
Aspiring tele-commuters and professional bloggers really need to invest the money and set up a true home office. Having a proper home office helps to minimize the distractions that working at home can bring. Being able to close the door with a “I’m at work” sign can help to let well-meaning friends and family members to avoid interrupting you every five minutes. The money invested in the correct ergonomic furniture, like a proper office desk, will reduce the physical strain on the body and over the long haul will result in higher productivity levels.
Successful working from home can be accomplished if you pay attention to these important needs.
