How To Successfully Work Out of Your Home

Oprah Winfrey recently had a show about how to successfully work out of your home. I caught a small segment of the show and luckily it was the part where they listed some Do's and Don'ts for those of us who work out of our homes, because I learned I've been Doing some of the Don'ts and Don't-ing some of the Do's.

One important Do: Take regular breaks, including coffee breaks and lunch.

I like this idea, but it doesn't quite feel the same when you sit down with your cup of coffee to gripe to the dog about the boss -- and then you realize you are the boss. Plus you're not going to get any sympathy from him because you his boss, too.

Another Do: Get dressed and go to your workspace -- just as you would if you worked outside the home.

Just between you and me, you don't really have to do this, but you will smell better and the dog will appreciate it.

An important Don't: Don't do housework during work hours.

This rule sounds a little unreasonable. Surely they don't expect a person to cook, clean, and do laundry during their free time?!

Another Don't: Don't let friends drop by during your workday.

This is like saying to a man dying of thirst, "Don't let the Culligan man in if he knocks on the door." I don't want to say that loneliness can become a problem for those who work out of the home, but I actually begged a telemarketer to call me back the other day.

Here's another Do: Open a separate bank account and get a separate phone line.

And then cross your fingers that you can separate enough cash from you clients' bank accounts to throw in your separate account to pay your separate phone bill every month.

A Do I like: Answer the phone in a business-like manner.

This will totally freak out your family members who can't figure out why you get to sit around all day and do nothing.

"Hello, this is Crystal Wergin."

"How come you're answering the phone like that?"

"Because I'm working."

"Oh, but I thought you quit your job with the County."

"I did."

"Oh, that's right, I called your home number."

"Yep."

"Oh, you mean your writing?"

Bingo!

And last but not least Do: The most important rule to working at home is to be professional.

I take this to mean no throwing tantrums when the printer doesn't work, no crying when an editor rejects one of your masterpieces (and you know who you are), and no sticking your tongue out at the mailman when he delivers the mail because you heard him holler at the dog last week.

Remember -- if you don't treat your business like a business, no one else will, either.

And also remember, you can take a nap whenever you want.

I didn't see that anywhere on the list of Don'ts.