Breaking the chains

[SMC]

I am interested in migrating towards less time in the office (and ultimately greater productivity), and would be interested in others' experiences towards this goal. I have several people who report to me but require very little actual "management" ... performance expectations have been set and they know not to come to me with trivia. Having good people on staff is critical, and I am resistant to meeting requests without very clear objectives.

I find that on occasion I need to work from home (wife needs to take one of the kids to the doctor, for example), and these days tend to be some of my most productive and enjoyable: no drop-ins at my office door, I get to have lunch with my family, go for a leisurely run in the morning, etc. Eliminating the daily commute saves me about 1.5 hours per day that can be channeled into something more useful.

So. How does one go about making the shift to less presence in the office while still delivering the results you are paid to deliver? I think that the biggest obstacle is the mindset of others in the company who equate "desk time" with actual productivity.

Anyone else working towards similar goals?

[erock]

I have had similar experiences to yours. The days I spend outside the office are BY FAR the most productive. It is sad, sometimes Ill go in on Sat or Sunday just to actually get some work done, because during the week there are constant interruptions.

As per your question, I think you may need to read the Liberation chapter again. It has pretty good techniques for weening your boss and yourself into a remote worker arrangement. Just believe you can do it and you will be able to.