Working from Home: Love it or Hate it?
As I transitioned from working a fulltime job outside of the home to owning a business run out of my home, I found there were things I loved and some things I was not a fan of.
Recently I have spoken with a number of friends that have switched jobs and are now based out of their home. I have been receiving mixed reviews and I am finding that others are feeling much of what I felt when I made the switch.
First, working from home is certainly appealing on many levels. You have the flexibility to better schedule your life work and home life. The commute is nonexistent. You save on work clothes and various other expenses. However, if the newfound flexibility is not met with boundaries and prioritizing, working at home could become less than productive.
Personally, because I am a very social person, my biggest challenge was not having a group of colleagues to network with daily. I thrust myself into my new business and didn’t realize that I would soon miss my daily networking and interaction. Feeling isolated, I quickly sought out business networking groups and associations to join. After finding my groove, I felt much more comfortable being affiliated with a group, rather than going it alone.
Additionally, working at home can be a breeding ground for distractions. When I was starting out, I found myself getting coffee and before I knew it, I was cleaning the kitchen, finishing laundry, picking up toys, completely distracted from my task at hand. One of the best things I did was set some very specific boundaries and priorities. I resigned myself not to do housework until lunchtime or break time. I do not answer my home phone line if I am working and I try very had to stay in my designated home office while working. This has helped immensely, because before I set boundaries, I felt like I was doing everything halfway and nothing completely. This is a much better scenario for me.
Some love to work from home and some prefer to leave for the day. For me, now that I am in the groove and have things under control (most days…), I wouldn’t change a thing!
Tory Johnson
Absolutely Annie
Balanced Woman
Been There, Done That
Career Changer
Comeback Mom
Fulltime Freelancer
Girl on the Go
Girlphyte
Image Architect
Magic Hands
New Girl on the Job
Outside the Box
Planet Mom
Small Business Susan
Vivacious Vicki
Work in Progress
Comments (6)
I am new to this website, and am writing in response to Linda's comment from last September. I too would love to work from home, but am finding it very difficult to find a legitimate company, that does not want me to pay to work for them. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Ready to go in Chicago!!!
— Posted by amy | July 14, 2008 3:27 PM | Comment Permalink
I am venturing into the working from my home as an administrative assistant. Virtual assistant (some call it!) I just recently got some information on a website called guru.com. This website hires professional(s) in all areas. I anxious to hear from people if they have heard of this website and what they have encountered.
— Posted by Julia Bickhard | September 25, 2007 4:05 PM | Comment Permalink
I started my home based business after brainstorming how I could use my specific skills to make money from home. As a Spanish teacher, my niche is very specific and my target population was easy to find. Have you looked into the virtual assistant business? I hear this is a growing need with a variety of specialities in demand. Small businesses and home based businesses often need specific sales/marketing/publicity help and a VA is a great option. I am not sure of particular sites for reference, but I have heard this great option for home based businesses.
Good luck Linda!
— Posted by Jen | September 10, 2007 9:44 PM | Comment Permalink
I would love to work from home but don't know where to begin to find a business....looked at franchises but nothing seemed "exciting". Looked at Live Ops and Alpine Access, but not hiring in my state.
Sales and Marketing Management background and college degree.....any pointers would be happily accepted.
— Posted by linda | September 8, 2007 3:10 PM | Comment Permalink
I've been self-employed and based at home for two years now. I hope I don't ever have to go back to a cube farm, especially when I have meetings that require I travel during or near rush hour! I agree with you about the need to find some professional/social outlet. And I also share your distraction pain. But I found when I worked in an office and had an assignment I didn't want to do just then, I would tidy up my workspace and sometimes even the office kitchen. My husband was so hopeful that would carry over to the home office, but no such luck! (details here)
— Posted by Kay @ Don't Mess With Taxes | September 6, 2007 3:24 PM | Comment Permalink
I've been self-employed and based at home for two years now. I hope I don't ever have to go back to a cube farm, especially when I have meetings that require I travel during or near rush hour! I agree with you about the need to find some professional/social outlet. And I also share your distracton pain. But I found when I worked in an office and had an assignment I didn't want to do just then, I would tidy up my workspace and sometimes even the office kitchen. My husband was so hopeful that would carry over to the home office, but no such luck!
— Posted by Kay @ Don't Mess With Taxes | September 6, 2007 3:17 PM | Comment Permalink