Five Tips for Working from Your iPhone

When the prime minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg, was stranded in New York City during the Iceland ash cloud that covered much of Europe, he made headlines by "running his country" through his iPad.

Although it's an amusing fact, it does make it apparent just how much people are able to get done these days even when they're on a different continent by using Apple's smart phones and tablet gadgets.

The iPhone, though it predates the iPad, is almost perfect for doing business on the go. In addition to having the ability to call people you work with through its AT&T plan, an iPhone allows you to view, edit, and write documents and communications that you wouldn't have been able to handle on a cellular phone from the 1990's. Thank goodness we now live in the 21st century, because today's iPhone allows you to get things done. Here's five tips for doing it right.

Tip #1: Use the phone feature when you can.

Since typing on the iPhone is certainly possible, but can often be cumbersome, and you don't want to leave a massive electronic trail waiting for you back at the office, try to use the phone feature on your iPhone as much as possible. Talking on the phone to your colleagues can have the immediacy of a live meeting even if you're in different cities, which will be much like working your regular hours. Be sure that you don't purposefully waste time on the phone, however, and be sure to set call objectives so that you know when to say "Okay, I'd better be going now."

Tip #2: Keep the inbox as clear as possible.

Since it's so easy to use your iPhone to manage your email inbox, it's a good idea to use it well. In other words, you want to make sure that the email doesn't pile up on you. If you have to, take notes from several emails and write them into a different program - like, say, iPhone's note program - and delete the emails. If emails need to be kept, there's no harm in keeping them in your inbox, but don't let the unnecessary emails clutter your work. Be sure that each email you keep has a specific reason for being kept. When there's less to review, it will feel much easier to handle your workload.

Tip #3: Set some time and space apart for working.

Since working on your iPhone means you're also working on the same gadget you use for fun, you'll have to find some way to separate your work time from your relaxation time. This means you'll want to be sure to set aside some time and space for working on your iPhone. Go somewhere else when you need to work on your iPhone - this will help you avoid the temptation of goofing off when you're on your own.

Tip #4: Don't let the iPhone be the end-all be-all.

Okay, sometimes it's great to have the iPhone be your connection to your office. But sometimes, when the work is hard enough, you won't want to rely solely on your iPhone. Heck, you never know when you'll run out of battery without a charger in sight. Just make sure that your iPhone's functions are not the key to your business empire and you'll be fine.

Tip #5: Work to keep fun and work separate.

In the spirit of Tip #3, remember that it's important to separate your business life and your personal life, even when it comes to the iPhone. Designate a time of day in which you no longer allow yourself to "check your work email," or do work-related activities with your iPhone. This will help you to recharge your batteries.