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I’ve been working from home for several years now. While I’d daydreamed about being self-employed for many years, the reality of actually working from home took quite a while to adjust to. As with any situation, there are positive and negatives. Most days, it’s fabulous, but sometimes I’d gladly trade it for a corporate job where I work as part of a team.
If you savour solitude and you’re self-motivated to complete tasks, perhaps you’d succeed in a work-at-home environment. However, if you’re the type of person who thrives on competition and needs the constant company of others, working from home may not be for you.
If you’ve ever seriously considered working from home, following are some points you might like to consider before taking the plunge.
Working from home – The Pros
Set your own schedule
I love the flexibility of working from home. I can take time off during the day and work early in the morning or later in the evening, so long as I meet my clients’ deadlines.
“Casual Fridays” every day
Yes, I can work in my pyjamas if I want to, but I choose to get dressed each day, as it makes me feel more “ready” for work.
No co-workers
There’s no-one to disturb you with their annoying habits or pointless interruptions/distractions. The only true interruption I have is email and the phone – which is usually a client … and that means work, which is just the right kind of interruption! 🙂
No meetings
Sure, I occasionally go out to meet with a client, which I enjoy, but I certainly don’t have to sit through long, boring, pointless meetings #winning
Lower overheads
If I went out to rent an office, there would be a number of expenses involved. As a small business, it’s important to keep costs to a minimum, so it’s handy to have my office at home.
Flexible work locations
I can work wherever I want, whether it’s in the office, the living room (I do my best editing at the dining table), the library, a co-working space, a coffee shop or down at the beach if I want to.
No commute
I never have to worry about traffic jams or public transport delays, and I save a great deal on petrol and car maintenance by working from home.
Greater productivity
Because I have no distractions, I’m much more productive than I was in the corporate world. Although I’ve always had a strong work ethic, I do achieve more as I’m motivated by making my clients happy, rather than the boss. (P.S. Happy clients = more referrals, which builds my business).
Meals are cheaper
Instead of buying lunches, I can prepare them at home, which saves on food costs. I occasionally treat myself to a lunch out of the “office”.
I’m home for the children
Our teenagers are pretty independent, but it’s good to know that I’ll be home most afternoons if they need me to help or take them somewhere.
Working from home – The Cons
Isolation
It can sometimes be lonely. I have our dog as company (some would say better company than a few people!), but sometimes it would be great to have a colleague to bounce ideas off…. Only sometimes.
No co-workers
Most days, I’m perfectly happy with the solitude, but occasionally, I miss the sense of camaraderie I had when I worked in the corporate world. When it’s your birthday, time for the Christmas party or Melbourne Cup Day, there’s no-one to celebrate with. I have to arrange to meet up with friends or business associates for this type of celebration, which is fine, but it’s not the same as having a group of co-workers around you.
Self-discipline is essential
Some days I really need to have a stern talk with myself to get motivated and sit down to work. There are still deadlines to meet and clients to communicate with, but there’s no boss to report to.
Lack of boundaries
It’s taken me years to train my family and friends that I do WORK from home. I’m not just sitting around drinking cups of tea all day long, I’m actually working, so when they phone or call in unannounced, I often have to give them the short shift.
Work is ALWAYS there
I’m fortunate to have a separate office within the home. However, work is always around me, which can make it difficult to maintain work/life balance at times (is there really such a thing?) I can’t just finish up at 5pm and walk away if there’s still work to be done – and often go back to the office after dinner. If I have a client waiting for their job, I sometimes work quite early, rather late and even on weekends!
No recognition
While it’s great to have happy clients, there is little recognition for a job well done (other than the bill being paid and sometimes receiving a referral). There’s no boss or co-workers to give you a pat on the back.
While there are points on both sides above, I’m quite happy to be working from home, and I do enjoy it most of the time.
Do you work from home? If you work outside the home, what do you think would be the best thing about working from home, if you had the opportunity to do it?
The Lovin’ Life Linky pops up each and every Thursday. I’m honoured to co-host!
Click on any of the links below to read more amazing stories about Lovin’ Life. We all need to feel inspired and create our own happiness :).
The Lovin’ Life Linky team is:
Leanne from Deep Fried Fruit – Min from Write of the Middle – Kathy from 50 Shades of Age
Jo Tracey from Andanyways.com – Deb from Debbish.com – and me, Lyndall from Seize the Day Project!
I don’t work from home and can’t in my industry but really appreciate reading your insights from both sides of the fence. In some ways, blogging is a bit like working from home.
SSG xxx
Blogging is working from home SSG, especially if you’re making an income from it 🙂
I work from home – & have done off & on for a number of years. These days it’s remotely back to Sydney. Every so often I go down for a week & reconnect with my colleagues. It’s those times when I’m reminded of the politics & thecommute, but also the banter & exchange of ideas. I’d agree with all your points. My non negotiable for getting stuff done? Routine – having one.
I really don’t miss the politics Jo – or the commute! 🙂
You and me both Lyndall. It took a lot of adjustment for me to work from home after working in offices for my entire life. I do miss socialising with workmates and even some days dressing up to go to work. However I think the pros far exceed the cons. I love having the flexibility it affords me. #TeamLovinLife
Oh yes Kathy, I miss dressing up for work too, although I do save a lot of money on buying clothes, shoes, etc. The pros definitely outweigh the cons 🙂 x
It’s interesting that you listed no distractions as a pro. I always thought I would personally be more distracted at home by everything else I have around me that needs doing.
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
It’s amazing how focused you can be at home when you have a deadline! 🙂
By choice I would always pick an office, just for those daily interactions and feeling part of something. However, as you say, the flexibility can’t be beat!
I don’t think I could work in an office full time any more, particularly the toxic environment of my last job. I guess it all depends on your personal preference 🙂
I don’t like commuting or working in an office. I can sometimes “get away with” working from home but not as often as I’d like. I get SO much more done at home, that’s the ridiculous part. I have so many interruptions and pointless conversations that it makes coming into work quite unproductive.
I sure don’t miss that commute! 🙂
I’m the living embodiment of the pros and cons on this list. I live the pros and suffer from almost all the cons. Haha. But I do love it and wouldn’t swap it for the world. That said, I don’t mind the two days a week I go ‘in’ to an office to keep me on track.
Sounds like you have a great balance Suger 🙂
I can relate to both and even though I never really got my business up and running (to the extent it would support me) I struggled with all of those things. (But also appreciated all of the positives!)
You got it Deb! 🙂
It is quite a different environment. I love it and I hate it!!
But mostly it’s a great thing, as long as I get dressed everyday! And make sure to take some time off!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Yes Jodie, getting time off can sometimes be a challenge 🙂
I love the flexibility of working from home Lyndall but I also miss the contact with others. I suppose as long as you enjoy what you are doing that is what really matters,
You’re so right Sue 🙂
My husband has been working from home for the last few years and I envy him not having to do the daily commute. The cons that I can see for him is that he has access to the fridge and pantry so tends to eat more than he would if he was at work and he’s not good at knowing how to leave his work behind and switch off for the day. I’m finding that working part-time is a good balance for me when it comes to the pros and cons of being an employee (not at home).
Yep – the fridge and pantry can be deadly when working from home!! 🙂
A really interesting post with such good points made. I love the comments too. I need to be with people for some parts of my life but also to be isolated to write. So,writing for my blog, and connecting with them on line is a good balance for me. There was no way of working from home as a teacher/principal but I can see how I too would be less connected with work if that was me at home. Thanks for sharing your perspective. Makes you think! Denyse x
I’m pleased to hear you enjoyed the post Denyse 🙂 x
Totally agree with all your points. Even though I do get lonely at times and I miss the companionship of work colleagues, I’d still choose working from home at this point of my life. I do not miss the commuting, the office politics, or the late nights getting home at all. #TeamLovinLife
I’m with you Min! 🙂 x
I love working from home and don’t miss anything about working in an office environment. I’m more time efficient and have the flexibility to work at times to suit.
Sounds perfect Jenni 🙂
I worked from home but for a company for nearly ten years and I loved it. To be fair, I had a good balance in that I would be out a couple of days a week at meetings etc. so had a chance to socialise with colleagues etc. My husband also works from home so there is always someone in the house if I feel lonely (though that didn’t really happen). Now I have started to work for myself and I wonder how that will feel as I won’t have meetings to go to etc. in the beginning. I have made a conscious effort to get out more and meet people, which I wouldn’t have done before, and that has helped. And, like you, I still get dressed and do my make up every day!
You sound very organised and disciplined Emma 🙂
I thought I’d struggle with loneliness working from home, but it really hasn’t been a problem for me. I make a point of meeting friends, clients, and going to networking functions pretty regularly though so that helps.
Most of the time, I love working from home, it’s just the odd occasion that makes me miss working with others (not often!) 🙂