Comments on: Focus is Hard

By: David Peralty

David Peralty — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:48:17 +0000

It is definitely hard to separate my schedule from her own. Hopefully something good will come of all of this soon.

I will definitely look at finding spots where I can spend at least two hours a day in solitude in hopes of finding the focus I need to really hammer out an immense amount of work.

Thank you all for your thoughts, and experiences. I love hearing how other people have solved their work/life/wife issues.

By: Votre

Votre — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:00:36 +0000

I’m not sure I can add much to the above suggestions for how to reach an accommodation with friends and family. But I can strongly recommend you get an outside office only as a last resort.

My business went from rented office space to being totally virtual about five years ago.The biggest single factor (both financial and psychological) that kept us going during several difficult times was not worrying about that rent check. I doubt we’d still be here if we were renting during that period. Just a thought!

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:31:36 +0000

That was the hardest thing to me and sometime still is. I used to work at nights. That solve the problem for a while but i guess it will lead to health problems in the long run. Therefore, not every projects can be done at nights.

I guess the most effective way to do it is like what WTL said, starting a conversation with your family.

Even if it’s not the easiest thing to do, it pays in the long term and everyone wins.

By: Beeler

Beeler — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:58:38 +0000

Two words: Tony Danza. I had the same problem with my wife and we used to fight about it. At a party I was exaggerating how bad it was by saying that she would interrupt me working to see if I wanted to watch something as stupid as a biography of Tony Danza if it was on. “Tony Danza” became our signal to each other that we needed our space and because it’s funny (at least to us), it takes some of the confrontational edge off of it. I can ask my wife, “is Tony Danza on?” and I’m pretty much assured to take my break or work uninterrupted the way I’d like.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:35:53 +0000

I agree with Abhijeet, working at night has helped me out. Since everyone is up all day and needing my attention for this and that. So just try to set a time in the evening that is like: This is my work time, do not disturb. Or something like that.

By: WTL

WTL — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:56:26 +0000

It certainly can be an challenge. With regards to your wife, it’s a question of training. We *both* work from home, so it can be a real challenge for both of us to get into the groove.

My schedule is time-shifted into the late night, when she’s sleeping, but we’ve pretty much learned the signs that the other is focused and busy.

You may have to sit down and talk with her about it. If you aren’t making money, you aren’t paying the mortgage, and if you aren’t paying the mortgage, you are living in your car, if it hasn’t been taken away, and if it has… it into your parent’s basement with you two.

As you know, I have an arrangement with a nearby pub, and I’m sure you could work out something like that with a local coffee shop / restaurant / pub.

That said, I have a friend who in exchange for a small office at a local business, he supports their Macs and local network. Again, an option.

By: Abhijeet

Abhijeet — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:00:14 +0000

Work nights ! That’s what I do and that’s how you’ll be able to focus too. If you can’t do that then get an office outside home.