Many people seek to bring their work and their home life into balance. For more and more men and women, that means leaving the corporate atmosphere to work at home. Working from home is hardly a new concept. For hundreds of years the majority of work was done from the home. Cottage industries provided most of the goods and services needed by local communities until the industrial revolution.
Today, a new revolution is emerging, fostered by the information and technology revolution of the last century. People are beginning to return home in droves. With a hone in one hand, a computer keyboard in the other, and a fax machine near by, people with a vast variety of backgrounds are finding it possible to work where they live.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Is Working at Home Right for You?
Not everyone wants to work at home. Not everyone should. Some people need others around to inspire productivity. Others need structure to stay focused. Consider making a list of pros and cons before you decide to pursue a change. Pros might include being closer to family, earning extra income, reducing child care costs, avoiding long commutes, reducing start up expenses for a new business, and / or ending an unproductive job search.
The 30-second commute in your bathrobe is a wonderful thing for some people especially those who commuted 45 minutes or more to work. They can retrieve precious hours to spend with their family and friends. Additionally, working from home is a good way to manage the start up costs of a new business. Avoiding the expense of office rent may be the key to staying afloat in the first lean days of your new venture.
Cons on the other hand may include; loss of social interaction, struggling to stay focused with more distractions, handling the background noise caused by young children, balancing the needs of your family and your clients at the same time, and having to avoid working all of the time.
You are much easier to find you before and after hours, and clients may not hesitant to give you unrealistic deadlines. If you have very young children, under the age of five, you will probably need a sitter even though you are available. Keep in mind that someone has to care for the kids and keep them quiet while you answer business calls.
The 30-second commute in your bathrobe is a wonderful thing for some people especially those who commuted 45 minutes or more to work. They can retrieve precious hours to spend with their family and friends. Additionally, working from home is a good way to manage the start up costs of a new business. Avoiding the expense of office rent may be the key to staying afloat in the first lean days of your new venture.
Cons on the other hand may include; loss of social interaction, struggling to stay focused with more distractions, handling the background noise caused by young children, balancing the needs of your family and your clients at the same time, and having to avoid working all of the time.
You are much easier to find you before and after hours, and clients may not hesitant to give you unrealistic deadlines. If you have very young children, under the age of five, you will probably need a sitter even though you are available. Keep in mind that someone has to care for the kids and keep them quiet while you answer business calls.
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