Greetings! It’s Independence Day! I can’t think of a better day to start my telecommuting blog. My name is Barbara Spear, and I’ve been telecommuting for 20 years. When I started, the word telecommuter didn’t exist; we just called it “working offsite.”

Those of us who pioneered telecommuting, found its freedom came at a price. The road to freedom was filled with battles and skirmishes; with traditional-thinking employers, with equipment, and with colleagues and friends.

Employers felt their employees weren’t responsible or self-disciplined enough to work outside the office, beyond their scrutiny. Jealous colleagues sabotaged us, by withholding critical project information. Most early telecommuters bought and maintained their own equipment. Friends assumed we weren’t really working, so we were available to run their errands, walk their dogs, and help with their kids. But the freedom that came with telecommuting made it worth all the struggles.

Twenty years later, the equipment for telecommuting has improved dramatically, and more employers are comfortable with the practice. The freedom and independence of telecommuting is available to more workers than ever. On this and every Independence Day, I celebrate not only the Freedom my forefathers fought for, but the freedom the technology revolution has given me.

In my future blog entries, I’ll share some memorable moments from 20 year telecommuting career, plus, my ongoing challenges as I telecommute my way toward the so-called Golden Years of retirement. I was 33 when I began telecommuting. I’m 53 now. The world of telecommuting has changed dramatically in 20 years, and continues to change at break-neck speed. I too have changed. I’m middle-aged with gray hairs sprouting everywhere, and thinking more toward retirement than my next great adventure. In that sense, I’m like a lot of folks my age. But the way I think and my approach to attacking challenges is very different from many of my contemporaries, thanks largely to my telecommuting experiences.

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment 2.0!