According to a 2004 International Telework Association and Council (ITAC) study, roughly 44.4 million members of the U.S. work force now spend a portion, if not all, of their week working outside the office.

Working away from the office can be a mixed blessing. A more flexible schedule allows you to take care of errands during the day and not be chained to a desk, but staying motivated outside the office environment can be challenging.

There are numerous ways to make sure that you stay on track while working away from the office. First, realize and come to terms with what type of worker you are. If you are easily distracted, then create a comfortable workspace where you can stay focused. Keep a detailed list of tasks that you are working on and those that are next on the burner.

Also, take advantage of recent advances in computer software. Programs like Microsoft Office OneNote 2003 and Microsoft Office Excel 2003 can help you create prioritized to-do lists that keep you on top of your workload and ahead of the pack.

Use the following resources to stay effective while working away from the office.

• 7 steps to good work habits away from the office (Article)
  Read about how you can maintain good work habits when working on the road or at home.
• Create a to-do list with stationery (Article)
  Prioritize your upcoming tasks with this handy list.
• To-do list with time tracking (Template)
  Organize your daily activities and track the time you spend on tasks.
• To-do list for projects (Template)
  Keep on top of upcoming projects with this detailed to-do list.
• Weekly time sheet by client and project (Template)
  Create a weekly time sheet detailing billable hours and the clients that you worked for.