If working from home is appealing to you at all, you must know what you are getting yourself into. Who am I to talk about this subject? Well, I have over 15 years of experience working out of my home. I spent 10 years working out of a home office as a Regional Operations Manager for a technology corporation. I also have another 5 years plus working at home in various business ventures including multi-level marketing and have been spending the last few years focusing on Internet Marketing.
The time is right for Internet Marketing and we are all lucky to be living in a time when such opportunities are available to us. Do you think your Grand Parents or Parents had this opportunity available to them? The answer is no and we are living in the Information Age. We are all living in a time in life where becoming financially independent can happen through the “sharing of information” and not having to rely on means of the past.
Right now, I recommend that you either purchase or go to your local library and read the book entitled “The Next Millionaires” by Paul Zane Pilzer. I am providing a link at the bottom of this post.
I can personally attest that I love working from home and would not trade it for any alternative work environment. Here are the pros and cons of working from home and I hope you have the opportunity to choose which is right for you.
Pros of working from home from the Birmingham Business Journal, which I totally agree with:
1. No commute to work: Most people save money on gas and car maintenance.
2. No dress code: Some people even admit to working in their pajamas. Most people save money on clothes.
3. Flexibility: People like being able to work at their most creative times. They can plan their work around their exercise routine, their child’s school day, shopping or household chores. They also can take a break when they feel like it.
4. Tax write-off: People working from home are able to write off their business expenses and home-office space on their taxes.
5. Improved health: One colleague says she is healthier now that she works from home since she does not have to cram her errands and lunch into one hour each day. She eats less fast food and moves around more during the day.
6. More control: Some people experience less stress working from home, although everyone surveyed did not agree. Everyone, though, did say they have more control of their time and can choose the projects they want to work on, and do not miss the boss breathing down their necks.
Cons of working from home from the Birmingham Business Journal, which I totally agree with:
1. Lack of social interaction: Everyone I talked to says they disliked the isolation. Those who thrive on interaction with others will need to be creative to meet that need. Actually, I met most of the people I interviewed for this article through two of the professional organizations I belong to. I have sought out these people who work from home and try to network with them on a regular basis.
2. Distractions: This will vary from person to person, but for some, there are many distractions when working from home. Women especially see the dirty dishes in the sink, and the thick coat of dust on the furniture. It is hard for some people to concentrate on work until menial household chores are done. It takes self-discipline to work when there are so many other things to do and it is so easy to take a break.
3. Office space and equipment: Many people need to install additional phone lines, purchase computer equipment and set up additional lighting in their home to achieve workable office space. This can be a major expense to those just starting out. One piece of advice is not to set up office space in your kitchen or your child’s play area because of the lack of privacy.
4. Projecting a professional image to clients: When I first started working from home, I had to train my children, as well as their friends, not to answer the “business phone” when it rang, and the dog invariably started to bark each time I made a business call. The dog now stays outside for the day while I work. (Maybe the kids should too!) I also do not relish clients coming to my office to meet with me. It just does not seem professional to have them traipsing though my home to get to my office. I usually go to my client’s office to meet with them.
5. Lack of a regular paycheck: Many who work from home do so on a project- type basis and may miss the regularity of a paycheck. It takes an extreme amount of self-discipline to manage finances in this way.
6. I’m only one person: It is challenging for one person working from home and to be all things to all clients. I suggest that you know your strengths and establish your niche, then network with others to establish a system to refer one another to clients.
Conclusion:
Working from home is not for the light-hearted. It requires a great deal of self-discipline, initiative, energy and dedication to work from home successfully. I may not choose or be able to work from home forever, but for now, the rewards greatly outweigh the negatives and I am staying HOME.
Good luck to you in your work-from-home experience!
Here is a link to “The Next Millionaires
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