Do you have a choice of whether you work from home or from the office? Which do you prefer? 

(I stayed home today b/c I wanted to get away from ringing phones to get some writing done, but the sound of cold rain on the window sill is actually just wanting to make me nap!)

Office, Office, Office for me! I spent the past few years at home freelancing and then moved to an office a year ago … it’s re-energized how I feel about my work, allowed me to explore different areas of work and I feel more confident in making connections and above all else – the kids do not take it for granted that I’ll be there if they forget their gym shoes or homework!

I recently moved back to my home office after having an office in a great downtown location.  I loved the downtown office.  I felt more of a connection with the local business community and it was easier for my clients to meet.

I’m now virtually connected to a downtown office address and only go in for meetings.  Gotta say, it may be more cost effective, but not the same.

The biggest problem with working at home can be summed up with one word: refrigerator. 

There’s a third option – co-working.

I worked from home for the last six months of 2011 and found it really lonely. I was used to an office environment and all the fun/stress that comes with that. It was great to get work done but the only validation was a few emails and calls. I prefer face-to-face contact wherever possible.

Co-working spaces are excellent. There is one I work at (hubmelbourne.com.au), but they have them all over the world. Some small companies operate out of there, a lot of freelancers and consultants. 

It really is the best world. Nobody is interrupting your work, but there are break out rooms where you can chat, play pool, etc. There’s a great benefit in having so many experts around you for different things. Any legal/tax advice I need is taken care of really quickly, and usually for free. There are also a lot of events I discover through these people. Great to be part of.

@rich-brooks ABSOLUTELY. During my first year of working at home (full time), I gained 10 lbs. How those pounds crawled in, I have idea. I swear! I do remember also being completely unaware of how long my work days were. I was starting early and working through dinner and straight into bedtime.

I LOVE the flexibility being at home allows during the day.  But it also dawned on me that for the sake of my health, I needed structure and balance.  So I’ve come up with a few tricks to make my day productive without feeling the need to wear chains:

• My home office door remains closed while I’m in there — it creates a physical/mental separation between me and the temptations in the  humming fridge.
• I make the effort to take breaks that do not always end in the kitchen — good thing I enjoy walking so I try to go for short walks in the mid-afternoon when the food cravings are unrelenting.
• The TV stays off, but the radio is on to my favorite jazz station.
• I always have my favorite tea in stock.
• I sometimes sit on my bouncy yoga ball, which is large enough to substitute as my chair and ease any back pain/discomfort.
• I frequently affirm that I need to my best, but there’s more to life than long work hours

Anyway,  the point is I enjoy my work day better now than when I first started working from home. I’m always adding to my bag of tricks to keep things fresh.

Since the Air Force, I’ve been a homey most of my career… except for contract gigs where I alternated onsite/telecommuting… or 2-9 month on-site contracts… or teaching overseas… or the rare acceptance of an “employee-employer contract.” I get more done away from all the “office politics” and prefer to work directly with business owners, entrepreneurs, CEOs, marketing directors, publishers, owners of PR firms, and nonprofit directors. Can’t set my own hours or work under the trees or in the woods working for someone else. Have laptop, will travel… especially if I can camp out.  :)

@rachelagheyisi  I am going to implement some of your rules.   I work from home and I always leave at noon or at 3 and go work from a coffee house.  I have to break up the day.

Best thing about working from home:  my dog!

I worked in an office for many years and since I started my own biz, I work from home. All my friends and former colleagues warned me – they thought since I’m a very talkative person, I would feel very lonely. But in fact, it has been the best decision ever!

Refridgerator? Yes! But only in a positive way. Since I’m working at home I am actually cooking fresh meals and not stuffing my body with hastily inhaled food. And no, it doesn’t have to take much time to prepare proper food.

I can focus much better and am not constantly distracted by chatting colleagues/neighbours. You have to have a dedicated office though – when I still worked from my living from, I actually got massively distracted by all things going on at the street and I even started cleaning and stuff instead of working.

When I was still working in an office and I was surrounded by many people during long hours, I got tired of people and just wanted to be alone when I finally arrived home. Now it happens that I don’t leave home for a few days in a row and then of course I feel the need to meet people at some stage. But then I meet people I like to meet and no matter if it’s customers or friends, I’m much more relaxed, open and social.

To summarize it: since I’m working from home (1.5 years now) I’m much more efficient, I improved my social life, I eat healthier, and I’m not so stressed. I LOVE IT!