Paths of least resistance
Just before I went back to Edinburgh last week, I received an email from my manager asking me to consider again the possibly of working from home, once I'm back up there permanently. He mentioned this might be a possibility some time ago, but didn't go into much detail, and ultimately I pondered over it briefly, before pretty much dismissing the idea. After all, I don't think working in the absence of human contact would be much fun, and I've been hankering for the opportunity to do something new for a while now.
However, whilst I was home, I've got to admit I found the idea considerably more attractive, even if only as a stopgap solution. It would allow me to move into my flat immediately, as well as affording me a source of income and generally removing several other uncertainties. And should it fail to work out (a strong possibility) it will be much easier to look for other work whilst I'm actually up there - one thing my recent experiences have taught me - and have that much coveted income stream behind me. Viewed like that, and with my family surrounding me, it became an increasingly tempting proposition.
Our MD unexpectedly called me into his office today to talk the idea over. I expressed my concerns - that I want to move onto something new, and that I'm not sure how I'll cope working alone - and was slightly surprised to find that he was willing to accommodate me on several fronts, such as agreeing that I should only commit to it on a trial basis at first, of perhaps three months or so, as well as allowing me a months leave to get my flat sorted out. He also said that if it didn't work out there'd be no problem with me looking for another job whilst I was still working. I was quite flattered to be honest. He really does think I'm good at my job and wants to keep me around. In fact, his exact words were "I think you're very good at your job and I want to keep you around."
It's not a perfect solution, and it's almost too easy - I've walked down the path of least resistance enough times now to have learned that doing so carries inevitable consequences - but I'm sorely, sorely tempted.
Advice anyone?
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Um ... I think that's terribly unfair. Asking for advice. Don't you know I'm on a 12-step program to stop being an interfering know-it-all to others while my own life goes careering on down the dunny? So, Not Gonna give you advice except to say, when life hands you lemons, make margueritas. When life hands you a perfect solution, quit bloody kvetching and say, ooh yes please. See, look what you've done. I have to go and 'phone my sponsor now.
Foots has it right, as does teh Universe. Things happen for a reason, and this may just be one of them, as was the last job interview, ah, to hell with it.. try it and see! I have every faith in you as always.
Mat
My advice? DO IT!
I worked from home for DDS for almost 2 years, then spent the next year working from home as an independent. With the exception of my few months at PARC, it was the best work arrangement in the last 10 years.
With respect to my main client... I have never yet met the programmer I was working with, and only met my manager once when she happened to be in the Bay Area. I was always available for a brief trip to one of their offices, but never needed to do it.
The biggest concern most people have is exactly what you've mentioned - the lack of people contact. But to be honest, that really only becomes an issue if there is no people contact outside the work context. And based on what you've laid out as your life in Edinburgh, that doesn't seem too much of a concern. I did my at-home stint in California, where we had arguably the busiest social life we've ever had. I worked during the day and played the rest of the time with others and never once felt "isolated". And if you do... down tools, leave the "office", and take a walk in the real world. One of the nice parts about working from home is increased flexibility in that respect. True, you will probably be working the normal working day (as I did for DDS, but which as an indy I didn't really have to worry about), but frankly the lack of people around you results in a less confining environment in many ways.
One important thing, though (and this will be especially true in your flat). Make sure you have some way of separating your "office" from your "house". That can be as elaborate as having a dedicated room which is your office or as simple as a desk/nook/screened off area in one of the main rooms in your house/flat. In your case, I suspect the latter. But it it VITAL that you have a way to separate your work area from your living area. If the two become one, you will find yourself having to leave the flat to get away from work. Or worse, you'll find yourself drawn to work more than you would in an office. Or perhaps the other way around - you'll be too distracted by the house to concentrate on work. In my opinion, this is the trickiest part of working from home. But with some thought in advance, it's not too hard to resolve.
Oh, and given my devotion to the home architecture school of Ms Sarah "Not So Big House" Susanka of late, I can provide ideas for accomplishing that in your new place :-)
There, see what happens when you ask for advice? I stay up later than planned spewing forth all kinds of wisdom ;-) And I know for a fact you're even asleep right now. Which I intend to be soon too. G'night!