Comments on: Dark side of working from home Well thought through but there seems to be more negative sides to the positive, like anything in this world you get out what you put in and working for yourself initally would require self determination. Well thought through but there seems to be more negative sides to the positive, like anything in this world you get out what you put in and working for yourself initally would require self determination.

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By: Colleen Delzer/2011/04/04/dark-side-of-working-from-home/#comment-3008 Colleen Delzer Wed, 20 Apr 2011 03:52:26 +0000 that was hilarious, loved it! that was hilarious, loved it!

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By: Colleen Delzer/2011/04/04/dark-side-of-working-from-home/#comment-3006 Colleen Delzer Wed, 20 Apr 2011 03:49:19 +0000 Thanks for sharing again. It does sound difficult, especially if you are by default a more social person. Do you have a local IGDA chapter that has meetings, or any indie meetups in person? Thanks for sharing again. It does sound difficult, especially if you are by default a more social person.
Do you have a local IGDA chapter that has meetings, or any indie meetups in person?

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By: Michael Taylor/2011/04/04/dark-side-of-working-from-home/#comment-2409 Michael Taylor Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:55:50 +0000 As a part-time teacher I am working a lot at home, preparing the courses. But all of the work has to be done in the evening when I come back from my programming job (9AM - 7PM), so I can usually work at home from 9 PM to midnight (after commute and supper), and also during the week-ends. In the end that gives me the feeling that I have no time left to do anything else, and morale and motivation goes down. And the more time I spend working, the lower my productivity gets and the less work gets done, it's a downwards spiral. Hopefully the work itself brings intense satisfaction every now and then, and I also take some breaks to spend quality time with my girlfriend, family and close friends, and that keeps my boat afloat. That sounds all very negative, but it's not. I have chosen that life, and looking back at where I was years ago, dedication clearly pays. Now, if only I could find some time to play games... As a part-time teacher I am working a lot at home, preparing the courses. But all of the work has to be done in the evening when I come back from my programming job (9AM – 7PM), so I can usually work at home from 9 PM to midnight (after commute and supper), and also during the week-ends. In the end that gives me the feeling that I have no time left to do anything else, and morale and motivation goes down. And the more time I spend working, the lower my productivity gets and the less work gets done, it’s a downwards spiral. Hopefully the work itself brings intense satisfaction every now and then, and I also take some breaks to spend quality time with my girlfriend, family and close friends, and that keeps my boat afloat. That sounds all very negative, but it’s not. I have chosen that life, and looking back at where I was years ago, dedication clearly pays.

Now, if only I could find some time to play games…

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By: Martin D/2011/04/04/dark-side-of-working-from-home/#comment-2343 Martin D Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:43:57 +0000 I’ve been working from home now for about 5 years. For most of that time I’ve travelled to my primary employers studio once very month or so to spend a week working there. There is good and bad (as you’ve mentioned) about working from home, but my location and reluctance to move means that I don’t really have a choice. I’ve written about working remotely and its associated issues here.

-Tony

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By: macbirdie/2011/04/04/dark-side-of-working-from-home/#comment-2335 macbirdie Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:36:08 +0000

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By: Martin/2011/04/04/dark-side-of-working-from-home/#comment-2320 Martin Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:41:44 +0000 I've been working for 2 years 100% from home, and the last 4 years only 50%. The good: - can take breakfast while reading your emails - after finishing work you're instantly at home - playing your favorite game when taking a break - work outside, in silence and sunshine - staying home on bad days, when you wouldn't let your cat going outside - overtime is easier The bad: - everyone thinks you're home, so you're available - making games that you wouldn't let your children play (at least for the moment) - work influencing private life - overtime is easier The ugly: - in the first two years I got speaking issues - no socialization - I had some coworkers I didn't see in person ever - overtime is easier Right now I'm in interview process with a gamedev company, I asked the same: 50% working from home - they accepted! You got to have discipline to work from home, 8 hours are 8 hours, no email after those. Of course, I can't stick to this, so I'm checking my email from time-to-time - the result is: talking work-things with my wife, sleepless hours, dancing around when a patch gets accepted, doing overtime work... In the end I'm happy that I have this possibility, that's why I'm asking for it at every job interview. I’ve been working for 2 years 100% from home, and the last 4 years only 50%.

The good:
– can take breakfast while reading your emails
– after finishing work you’re instantly at home
– playing your favorite game when taking a break
– work outside, in silence and sunshine
– staying home on bad days, when you wouldn’t let your cat going outside
– overtime is easier

The bad:
– everyone thinks you’re home, so you’re available
– making games that you wouldn’t let your children play (at least for the moment)
– work influencing private life
– overtime is easier

The ugly:
– in the first two years I got speaking issues
– no socialization
– I had some coworkers I didn’t see in person ever
– overtime is easier

Right now I’m in interview process with a gamedev company, I asked the same: 50% working from home – they accepted!
You got to have discipline to work from home, 8 hours are 8 hours, no email after those. Of course, I can’t stick to this, so I’m checking my email from time-to-time – the result is: talking work-things with my wife, sleepless hours, dancing around when a patch gets accepted, doing overtime work…
In the end I’m happy that I have this possibility, that’s why I’m asking for it at every job interview.

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By: James Podesta/2011/04/04/dark-side-of-working-from-home/#comment-2312 James Podesta Mon, 04 Apr 2011 07:31:19 +0000 Thanks for the comment. Sorry to hear that you have been working from home for a long time(listen to me feeling sorry about you working at home!), hyopefully you have good friends to hang out with or at least have fun hobbies! The not checking e-mail is a great tip! Something that is very tempting for anyone online savvy. I have spent many nights thinking about tomorrow or what I have done right before going to bed, including emails. :( Thanks for the comment. Sorry to hear that you have been working from home for a long time(listen to me feeling sorry about you working at home!), hyopefully you have good friends to hang out with or at least have fun hobbies!

The not checking e-mail is a great tip! Something that is very tempting for anyone online savvy. I have spent many nights thinking about tomorrow or what I have done right before going to bed, including emails. :(

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By: Drew Thaler/2011/04/04/dark-side-of-working-from-home/#comment-2309 Drew Thaler Mon, 04 Apr 2011 05:33:36 +0000