Pros and Cons of Working from Home

Though many will dream of working from home, it isn’t for everyone. You need to look at you and your life realistically to determine whether it is in your best interest to find work that allows you to stay at home. You need to think about your schedule and other family members before you decide whether or not to pursue it.

That being said, there are many good reasons that you may consider working from home. Yet, there are just as many reasons not to!

What are the pros of working from home?

Working from home is a goal for many.

Many people dream of working from home, and it is their goal to be able to do so. If you are able to work from home, you should feel special and pleased that you get to do so.

You may not need a babysitter.

Many parents want to work from home so that they don’t have to spend money for daycare or a babysitter, while they are still bringing in some money. Though it is really hard to work around children, many mothers are able to contribute to the finances, while still raising their own children.

You can work whenever you want.

The reason that most people want to work from home is that they can do so around their schedule. They don’t have to take time off to go to any doctor’s appointments. If their children are sick, they can just keep them home, without worrying about school or daycare. If they have a day off of school, they can enjoy it with them, instead of trying to find a babysitter.

This can vary based on time zones though.

And wherever!

They also enjoy the freedom of working wherever they want. If they have a few minutes while they are waiting to pick up their children from school, they can grab their smartphone or laptop and do a few things. If they are feeling cooped up in the house, they can easily work from a local coffee shop or anywhere they can get internet service. 

There is no commute to get to work, allowing you to work longer (or have more time off).

Commuting can feel like a waste of time. Many people drive between one or two hours back and forth to work every day. Imagine what you could get done in that hour or two every day if you were able to work during that time. If you didn’t work extra, you should think about how much more you could get done around the house instead!

You don’t have to worry about the weather.

The winter months can be hard on people trying to go to school and work. The snow and ice make it dangerous, leading to missed days at work and extra-long commutes. You won’t have that at your home.

What are the cons of working from home?

Too many people might not take you seriously when you say that you work from home.

They may just assume that you are lounging around in your pajamas, so they aren’t afraid to call in on you whenever they feel like it. Friends and family members may ask you to go out for lunch. They may ask you for help when their children are sick because they don’t know anyone else who is home all day.

You might not take it seriously.

That being said, you might not take your work seriously enough. Though many people are more productive when they work from home, it is a struggle for many. They don’t put as much effort into it because they don’t have a boss breathing down their neck, asking them to get work done.

It can be very isolating and lonely.

Working from home and spending hours by yourself can be hard for some people. They need the interactions that come with an office job. They don’t do well working by themselves day in and day out, without talking to anyone in person.

In fact, many people give up because they can’t handle the quiet of their own home.

If you start your own business, you may be walking away from a steady paycheck.

Most business owners don’t have a steady paycheck, especially in the beginning. That being said, most businesses find themselves going through slow periods where they need to rely on their savings to get them through.

If you don’t have savings to help you through the dry spells, you could end up struggling financially until sales pick up again. There are many people who aren’t willing to take this risk when they have a steady paycheck where they are now.

Here are some tips for working from home successfully.

Be serious.

There is no one else who is going to make your business or work matter to you. You are going to have to be the one to put in the work in order to be successful. If you aren’t willing, it is never going to work.

To do this, you need to set a schedule and stick to it.

Even if you only plan on working one day a week or one hour a day, decide when you want to work and make sure that you show up. You should schedule other things around it, just like you would if you were working!

Use your time wisely.

Work time should be only for working. You shouldn’t try to fit in housework around it. You shouldn’t even get up to switch the laundry or start dinner when it is your scheduled time to work. That will distract you and you may end up spending a half an hour doing housework instead of focusing on work or your business.

Find ways to stay motivated.

Staying motivated when you work from home can be the hardest part. You don’t have anyone telling you that a project needs to be done so you could just push it off and push it off again.

Because of this, you need to find motivation. While money is a big motivator, you should find other reasons why you are doing what you are doing. Don’t hesitate to reward yourself when you accomplish your goals! You deserve it.

Work hard for a home-work life balance.

The hardest part of working from home is having a balance between your home and work life. It is way too easy to grab your laptop to check emails while you are watching television with your family at night.

You need to make that time you are working count by focusing on that part of your life. However, when that is done, it is time for you to think about the most important people in your life: your family. Give them all of your attention when you are done working for the night. This doesn’t mean that you can’t get another hour of work in after they go to bed. It just means that when you are spending time with them, you need to focus on them!

Dedicate a portion of your house for your business or job.

Having a work-life balance is nearly impossible if your business takes over the entire dining room table. You need to be able to shut the door on your work at the end of the day so you can focus on your family. Even if you don’t have a spare room, you need to find someplace to keep your work things so you aren’t pulled to them when you should be spending time with your family. Though working from home isn’t for everyone, it can be a great way to live the American dream. Many people would love to be able to say that they work from home in their comfortable clothes. They can work whenever and wherever they want, even in the middle of the night!

That being said, it can be hard to be taken seriously when you say that you work from home. You will have people calling and stopping by, simply because they think you are just at home. They may also ask for favors because they have to be at work even when their children are sick.

You may also struggle to take yourself seriously. Many business owners believe that they can work in their spare time. However, once everything else is done, there isn’t any time (or energy) for the business. To be successful, you have to set hours to work and then stick with it! You are going to have to schedule other things around your business, or you will quickly find out that you aren’t working as much as you should! It also helps to have a separate area for your business. If you can shut the door to your office at the end of the day, you are less likely to feel the need to work when you are spending time with your family.

Contact us to help you start, grow, and manage a successful business. If you are interested in working remotely or starting a business in your home, we can help!Sincerely,