Persuade a reluctant boss to allow a trial period. If your boss is reluctant to allow you to work from home (maybe your company has never permitted anyone to work from home), ask for a trial period. If you've provided a careful, well-thought-out proposal, even the most skeptical boss is likely to allow telework on a trial basis.

Doing the background work, drafting a proposal, and convincing your boss to allow you to work from home takes time, energy, and patience. But for many, making the transition to working at home is a life-transforming event -- imagine waking up on a work day and commuting from the kitchen to your home office, a cup of coffee in your hand and the sun shining through your window.

For more information on how you can change your life and make working from home a reality, get The Work From Home Handbook, by Diana Fitzpatrick and Stephen Fishman (Nolo).