Earn the right to work from home - what it takes. 067

PETER FRITZ | Office Anywhere

I once had a boss who was a dead ringer for Bill Lumberg from the movie, Office Space, except instead of the braces and tie, she wore a stiff grey power suit. I still remember the daily rounds where she'd sidle up to each desk with, "Whaaat's happening...?" I also remember the smell of synthetic carpet, chosen more for its longevity under heavy foot traffic than its calm-inducing properties.

I remember the acronyms and corporate platitudes that filled our conversations; the gentle hum of fluorescent lighting, and the pale blue palette of cubicles and walls. It was a soul-sucking prison of annual budgets, sales tactics and mechanised behaviours, and after two years, I'd had a gut-full.

That was a long time ago, and no amount of money would lure me back to that environment. That's because today I work where, when and how I want. I walk my son to school and pick him up each day. That alone is worth a few $100k to me.

But how do you 'earn the right' to escape the office and work from home (or anywhere but the office)? I reckon there are three critical things you have to do, and that's what I cover this week.