With jobs being more scarce these days you find more and more people setting up their own business and working from home. I have been working from home for the last 8 years and can’t imagine having to go back to working from an office day in, day out, 9 to 5. I know it doesn’t suit some and maybe the fact I don’t a family makes it easier for me as no interruptions.
How to…
Some people who work from home use a home office so that work can be compartmentalised and not encroaching on family life. I’d say this would be the norm for most home workers although I prefer not to have an office at home. I have tried it but it felt too much like “going to the office” for me.
I do think it’s important to not go straight from bed to work though so my commute is walking the dogs before my day starts. This gives me time to clear my mind and then plan my day ahead.
Nearly everything is online these days and my accounts work is done using Cloud computing. Of course a laptop and internet connection is needed. What did we ever do without them?
The Pro’s…
- You can normally set your own timetable for working. Instead of 9 to 5 you could do 11 to 7 or whatever suits you. Maybe you work better early in the morning or late at night. Choose the work time to fit around your day, rather than your day having to fit around the time you have to be in the office.
- You don’t have to dress to impress, save on the dry cleaners bill.
- You don’t have to suffer the commute to and from work – tube, bus, train or traffic jams. These can add hours to your working day.
- If it is your own business then you have less overheads if you’re working from home. And you can claim a percentage of your house costs for tax purposes.
The Con’s…
- You have to be very committed so that your mind doesn’t wander and you tackle chores around the house instead of work. When I am struggling with a writing idea I find myself actually enjoying cleaning, which is really not normal for me.
- People tend to think that as you’re at home it’s ok to drop in or phone for a chat. This is less likely to happen if you are working in an office. Even though it’s working at home it is still working.
- It is sometimes hard to switch off from work if it is available to you 24/7. You have to learn to take time out. I’m still learning this one.
- It can become quite insulated if you don’t have the company of office workers. This suits me but it doesn’t suit everyone. Ensure you get out and meet people to socialise. It’s good to change your routine sometimes. If you can, maybe work from a hotel lounge and treat yourself to a nice lunch with a friend.
So if you’re thinking of working from home I hope the pro’s and con’s mentioned are helpful. Perhaps you know a few more?
“Image from: Santiago Cornejo/Shutterstock.”
