e message is proof you were working early. Similarly, email will also document the late night or evening hours you worked yesterday from home.

3. Think inside the box. Drop completed work in her in-box by 8:00 a.m. with a message and the time written on a sticky note.

4. Just say Joe. Start the office coffee pot before others show up.

"Now what should I do?” a reader laments. “I’ve instituted many of your productivity techniques, and now I’m getting out of the office on time. I arrive before my boss does in the morning, so she doesn’t see how hard I work when I start my day. Now that I’m leaving by 5:00, she thinks I’m slacking. But I’m actually getting more work done than ever before!”

Though some companies understand the realities of time constraints due to day care, most are still measuring employees the old-fashioned way—by the clock. The truth is the more indispensable you are and the more you can distinguish yourself, the more likely it is that you can gain some flexibility. Here are some ideas on how you can draw attention to the work you do in the morning hours:

1. Speak up. If you have a conflict that forces you to leave earlier than most people each day, talk to your supervisor. Have an open conversation, explaining how important it is for you to be productive and do a good job, and why you must leave on time each day. Point out that you’re the first one to arrive each day and how much you get done without people interrupting you. One hour of uninterrupted work can equate to three hours with intermittent interruptions.

2. Use email as proof of performance. Send an email to your boss about a business issue as soon as you arrive at the office. The time displayed on the message is proof you were working early. Similarly, email will also document the late night or evening hours you worked yesterday from home.

3. Think inside the box. Drop completed work in her in-box by 8:00 a.m. with a message and the time written on a sticky note.

4. Just say Joe. Start the office coffee pot before others show up.

ver before!”

Though some companies understand the realities of time constraints due to day care, most are still measuring employees the old-fashioned way—by the clock. The truth is the more indispensable you are and the more you can distinguish yourself, the more likely it is that you can gain some flexibility. Here are some ideas on how you can draw attention to the work you do in the morning hours:

1. Speak up. If you have a conflict that forces you to leave earlier than most people each day, talk to your supervisor. Have an open conversation, explaining how important it is for you to be productive and do a good job, and why you must leave on time each day. Point out that you’re the first one to arrive each day and how much you get done without people interrupting you. One hour of uninterrupted work can equate to three hours with intermittent interruptions.

2. Use email as proof of performance. Send an email to your boss about a business issue as soon as you arrive at the office. The time displayed on the message is proof you were working early. Similarly, email will also document the late night or evening hours you worked yesterday from home.

3. Think inside the box. Drop completed work in her in-box by 8:00 a.m. with a message and the time written on a sticky note.

4. Just say Joe. Start the office coffee pot before others show up.

ou can draw attention to the work you do in the morning hours:

1. Speak up. If you have a conflict that forces you to leave earlier than most people each day, talk to your supervisor. Have an open conversation, explaining how important it is for you to be productive and do a good job, and why you must leave on time each day. Point out that you’re the first one to arrive each day and how much you get done without people interrupting you. One hour of uninterrupted work can equate to three hours with intermittent interruptions.

2. Use email as proof of performance. Send an email to your boss about a business issue as soon as you arrive at the office. The time displayed on the message is proof you were working early. Similarly, email will also document the late night or evening hours you worked yesterday from home.

3. Think inside the box. Drop completed work in her in-box by 8:00 a.m. with a message and the time written on a sticky note.

4. Just say Joe. Start the office coffee pot before others show up.

t you’re the first one to arrive each day and how much you get done without people interrupting you. One hour of uninterrupted work can equate to three hours with intermittent interruptions.

2. Use email as proof of performance. Send an email to your boss about a business issue as soon as you arrive at the office. The time displayed on the message is proof you were working early. Similarly, email will also document the late night or evening hours you worked yesterday from home.

3. Think inside the box. Drop completed work in her in-box by 8:00 a.m. with a message and the time written on a sticky note.

4. Just say Joe. Start the office coffee pot before others show up.

e message is proof you were working early. Similarly, email will also document the late night or evening hours you worked yesterday from home.

3. Think inside the box. Drop completed work in her in-box by 8:00 a.m. with a message and the time written on a sticky note.

4. Just say Joe. Start the office coffee pot before others show up. They slyly ask your boss if she enjoyed the special Kona coffee you brewed. After all, you are the first one in to the office each day, so you have to get the Joe going.

5. Track your time. Use a time log consistently, so you can prove how much you’re getting done in the early-morning hours. Track your accomplishments as you go, so that you have good material for your performance review.

6. Become indispensable. Just because someone works longer hours than you doesn’t mean that person is more productive. The truth is the more indispensable you are, the more you can distinguish yourself, and the more likely it is you can gain some flexibility and still move ahead.

7. Use metrics. Devise a way with your boss to measure your results and value, not simply the number of hours you are at your desk. Explain how you often work in the evenings at home after the kids are in bed, using your Internet connection to check and respond to email. When you consistently accomplish your performance objectives, your boss will care less about when and how you get your work done.

8. Develop a reputation. Be the one people can always count on. No matter what, leaving on time does not affect your ability to get your work done, on time, every time.

9. Stay visible. Volunteer for special committees, especially those involving other departments. Make it a point