When you telecommute, you may sometimes feel like you’re playing a game of Mother May I, only blindfolded. Being out of the office, you won’t always know how close you are to reaching a goal; nor, how you stand compared to co-workers.

For those unfamiliar with Mother May I, it’s a outdoor children’s game we used to play. We chose one person to be Mother, and he or she stood near the house. The rest of us faced Mother in a line across the yard. Mother would address us each in turn, stating how many steps of what type we could take. Before taking any steps, we had to ask, “Mother may I?” then wait for Mother’s reply. If Mother said, “Yes, you may,” we took our steps. If she said, “No, you may not,” we stayed in place. In our version of the game, a player who forgot to ask permission, lost a turn and took no steps. Mother could also instruct a player to move backward. The goal was to reach Mother, who clearly controlled each player’s pace. Mother kept the game interesting, by commanding us to take different types of steps, and combining them. She might say, “Dennis, you may take 3 scissor steps, 2 baby steps, and 1 giant step.” After asking permission, Dennis had to take the exact steps in the correct order; or, return to where he started and lose his turn.

Bosses and project managers are a lot like Mother. They tell you precise steps you’ve got to take in the correct sequence. Before you take those steps, you need to verify that you’ve got permission to take them. You don’t need to ask, “Boss, may I?” but you should clarify whether your boss or project manager wants you to proceed immediately, or wait until other team members have taken some or all of their steps. Otherwise, you could be stalling yourself—and possibly other team members.

Telecommuters must be especially careful to verify “Mother’s” instructions before proceeding.

When we played Mother May I, we were able to watch each other’s progress, and sometimes adjust our steps to move ahead quicker. Mother, of course, could hold us back by commanding that we take baby steps, or even backward steps.

As a telecommuter, you won’t always know the progress other team members are making. As a project schedule evolves, you won’t know whether your work is in-line with the rest of the team, ahead of it, or behind it. Your boss or project manager may issue frustrating commands that speed you up or slow you down. Like Mother in the game, your boss or project manager is the one in control, and overseeing the player line. You can ask for the reason behind the commands you’re given, but just like Mother, your boss isn’t required to explain them.

With business projects, the goal is for the team to complete the project. That may mean that one player must complete his or her steps first; or, the team must complete all steps at the same time. Your boss or project manager will know the winning strategy. You may not know it.

As you participate in business projects, think of yourself as a player in a corporate-style game of Mother May I. Listen carefully to the step commands, verify when you should take them, then move as instructed, so your team will complete the project and win its game.

As I thought about the parallel between Mother May I and working on a project, I couldn’t help but consider some of the gymnastic challenges required by both. Here are the special Mother May I steps I can remember. Can you connect them to project challenges you’ve faced?

• Regular Steps – Walking at a normal pace.

• Baby Steps – Walking with little bitty steps.

• Giant Steps – Walking with long strides.

• Scissor Steps – Jumping and crossing your legs to move forward.

• Banana Steps – Taking a step equal to the length of your body. You lie down with your feet at the starting point, and mark how far away your head is.

• Bunny Steps – Taking hops forward.

• Aligator or Crocodile Steps – Crawling forward in a prone position, moving like one of these reptiles.

• Octopus Steps – Moving forward by extending one hand or foot at a time, with your body bent at the waist to resemble an octopus.

• Snake or Slither or Worm Steps – Moving forward by lying on the ground and wiggling, without using your hands or feet to propel you forward.

• Butterfly Steps – Extending your hands and feet to an X position with each forward hop.

• Sideways Steps – Steps taken to the side instead of forward, can be combined with other step styles, such as Sideways Bunny Steps.

• Crab Steps – Steps taken sitting down with your hands on the ground behind you, so your movement mimics that of a crab.

• Skip Steps – Skipping forward

• Running Steps – Running forward

• Marching Steps – Steps taken either with legs kept stiff and extended forward; or, with knees bent and raised high.

• Crawling Steps – Crawling forward like a baby

• Cartwheel or Wheel Steps – Moving forward by performing a cartwheel, where one completed cartwheel represents one step.

• Spinning Steps – Walking forward while turning one revolution per step.

Please share any other steps from the Mother May I game you played; and, please share your ideas for how these steps describe various project challenges you’ve faced. And, while it’s fresh in your mind, why not gather family and friends for a quick game of Mother May I!