Out of Office

Photographer, author, writer, and speaker Simon Salt has been working from locations that are definitely Out of Office for more than six years. He has been quoted by the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and various other print and online publications and has spoken to audiences across the globe. He presents topics as diverse as mobile, digital, and social marketing and creativity. He also has a comedic session on how to speak English the English way.   Educated in Britain, Simon has degrees in Information Technology, Business and Finance, and Behavioral Science. He also has a master’s degree in Logic, Text, and Information Technology—but he still has yet to pass high school math! He is a lifelong learner and is currently attempting to learn Spanish.   Simon is a strong believer in community service and has served as a volunteer firefighter, led a wildland search-and-rescue team, is a certified FEMA Community Emergency Response Team trainer, and currently rides with the Patriot Guard Riders honoring fallen service personnel.   This is Simon’s third book, and is already planning his next one—he is also considering therapy to help his addiction to writing. When not sitting at a keyboard, Simon is behind a camera, helping tell other people’s stories—something he loves to do.

Introduction 1

Who Works Out of Office? 2

What’s in the Book? 2

Where This Book Was Written 4

1  Why You Shouldn’t Try an Out of Office Experience 7

You Are Too Social 9

You Are Too Easily Distracted 14

You Don’t Have the Space 17

You Need an Office for Clients 21

You Need Regular Team Contact 24

Not All Gloom 26

Out of Office Work Style Self-Assessment 27

2  The Benefits 31

Control of the Environment 32

Reduced Stress—Improved Health 35

Community Involvement 37

Saving Money 37

Setting Priorities 39

Setting Hours 41

Childcare and Bonding 44

Managing the Process 45

Recruitment and Retention 47

Feels Less Like Work 48

3  The Challenges 51

Partners, Pets, Children, and Other Demons 52

Interruptions 57

Domestic Chores 59

Table of Contents vii

Broader Challenges 60

Isolation 62

Support Tasks 63

Technology 64

Relationship Building 66

Accountability 69

4  Working from Home 73

Where in the Home? 75

Office Contents 79

The Employee Based at Home 85

5  Working on the Road 91

Essentials Items 91

Smartphones and Smart Travelers 97

Staying Healthy 100

Getting Rewards 102

6  Getting Organized 107

Workflow 114

Carrying It All with You 117

7  Rule Setting 123

The Connectedness of All Things 123

Unplugging—Not the Future 124

Shaping Behavior 125

Pros and Cons of Always On 127

Creating a Rule Book 129

Rule One 129

Rule Two 130

Rule Three 132

Rule Four 133

Rule Five 134

8  Work/Life Integration 139

Balancing Act 139

Priorities 140

The Myth of Multitasking 141

Integration, Not Balance 142

No More Priorities 143

No More Weekends 144

A Fair Exchange 146

Stop Watching the Clock 147

Stop Conforming 150

9  Time to Go Back to the Office 155

10  Tools and Tech to Help 171

Videoconferencing 172

Skype 172

FaceTime 173

Google Hangout 174

GoToMeeting 175

Gadgets 177

Neat Receipts 177

Mophie Phone Case 178

Collaboration Tools 179

Dropbox 179

Box 181

iDoneThis 182

Microsoft SkyDrive 183

iCloud 183

Productivity Assistants 183

RescueTime 183

Coffee Break 185

Breaker 186

Index 189