I've been working from home for almost a year now. I agree with most of the article. My checklist of things I do for sanity goes something like this:
1. Set up regular lunch get togethers with friends.
2. Use Video Conferencing liberally. Don't keep trying to hash something out via email or chat for too long. At some point the higher bandwidth of face to face communication even over a VC will be much more efficient.
3. Keep a persistent group chat for you team open. IRC, Slack, Anything that is always on and provides a sense of presence for you. Don't be afraid to joke around and make small talk there. Out team even plays the occasional verbal logic puzzle there.
4. Stock some variety in your kitchen. You get bored of Bologne and PB&J after a while. You are going to want to provide some variety for lunches.
5. Be responsive but only during regular working hours. It helps your team to know when they can contact you and get a response. After 5pm I don't respond to txts or emails unless they are emergencies. But before then I make sure people get a quick response from me even if it's just that I'll have to get back to them later.
6. And lastly join a Gym. I swim regularly but you might run or play some basketball or lift weights. When your place of work is your home it can be hard to disengage. A gym is a good way to leave the work behind and reset the mental clock as well as meet other people.
1. Set up regular lunch get togethers with friends.
2. Use Video Conferencing liberally. Don't keep trying to hash something out via email or chat for too long. At some point the higher bandwidth of face to face communication even over a VC will be much more efficient.
3. Keep a persistent group chat for you team open. IRC, Slack, Anything that is always on and provides a sense of presence for you. Don't be afraid to joke around and make small talk there. Out team even plays the occasional verbal logic puzzle there.
4. Stock some variety in your kitchen. You get bored of Bologne and PB&J after a while. You are going to want to provide some variety for lunches.
5. Be responsive but only during regular working hours. It helps your team to know when they can contact you and get a response. After 5pm I don't respond to txts or emails unless they are emergencies. But before then I make sure people get a quick response from me even if it's just that I'll have to get back to them later.
6. And lastly join a Gym. I swim regularly but you might run or play some basketball or lift weights. When your place of work is your home it can be hard to disengage. A gym is a good way to leave the work behind and reset the mental clock as well as meet other people.