Jul 08, 2012
Telling someone you work from home often comes with several misconceptions about this over glorified lifestyle. Anyone who has done it can tell you how uncertain yet rewarding times can be. Before you quit your secure-steady-paycheck-with-benefits job, consider the following:
Myth #1: I Can Work in My Pajamas
Getting “office ready” is part of the usual morning ritual. It is tempting to stay in your pajamas if you don’t see clients face to face. However, if you truly want to feel productive then dressing as if you are going to the office is highly recommended. Otherwise I tend to feel lethargic and sluggish. Some people can pull this off. I am not one of them.
Myth #2: I Can Work Whenever I Want To
This is true for the most part but you still need to remain disciplined on when and how often you work. For example; when I first started working from home, I often worked from first thing in the morning until bed time.
I learned this is how burn out happens. Now I keep a regular morning through dinner work schedule and leave the evenings free for family and relaxation.
You are more flexible working from home therefore you can choose between evenings versus mornings, four days a week instead of five, etc. Just make sure to stick to a regular schedule and create balance in your life.
Myth #3: I Never Leave the House
This is a pet peeve of mine. My neighbors are regular 9 to 5 folks. They assume I never leave the house because my vehicle is there before they go to work and after the time they come home, not realizing that I have the freedom to not have to wait until after 5pm to do errands, go out, see friends, etc.
I have to deal with comments like these on a regular basis from friends and relatives even though I make it a point to get out on a regular basis.
Myth #4: I Work Less at Home Versus the Office
Not when your work is always staring at you in the face and commute time is less than ten seconds long. It is too easy to work one more hour or work while cooking dinner or check email between evening TV commercials.
It is worse when you are a small business owner and have to take on multiple roles such as accounting, marketing and networking.
Myth #5: I Will Enjoy Being By Myself
Water cooler talk, office background noise and lunchroom conversations are just some of the simple things you miss when going from office life to working at home.
For people like me who need another human around at times this can be a challenge. Thankfully I live in town.
Despite the many challenges of being a homentrepreneur I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It is fulfilling and rewarding but only if you correctly manage your expectations and find the right balance.
What are some of the myths you deal with while working from home?
What's your opinion? Join the Discussion! Leave a Comment
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what town do you live in… mayberry?
Hi, Rathead. Why do you say that?
I think a walk around the block before you start the working day would help as well
Working from home is all upside and no down side compare to having to go into the office and going by a schedule.
That said, I feel really guilty seeing my wife having to fight traffic and finding parking going from/to work. So, I rather go to work so I’d feel no guilt.
@Poor Uncle – It’s definitely not for everyone. I like schedules and being around people. There are definitely trade offs.
There are definitely advantages and disadvantages, but over-all working from a home office is my preference. My biggest challenge comes during the summer months when the children are out of school and think daddy should be playing instead of sitting in front of his computer screens tap tap tapping away.
Want to see people argue with you? State you work from home in Europe
LOL
@Domaining 365 – I can definitely relate to that!
@Acro – lol
I think she works at home in a Vera production not pajama (Myth #1)
Okay, gotta comment on this one! Having worked from home a day or two, I’ll address each myth.
Myth #1: I can now pull off not dressing for the office, although I don’t really wear pajamas. I do wear shorts and a tank that are highly inappropriate for anything but beachwear. Fortunately, I live four blocks from the beach.
Item #2: I am absolutely guilty of repeatedly working from waking to sleeping, but there are days I really putz around. Being creative and entrepreneurial and logical sometimes take all my time, and there are times I let the burnout affect me for a day. I probably having growing to do in this area.
Myth #3: If I didn’t force myself to leave the building, I’d feel like a shut-in. I generally at least run or bike a few miles to get away. Or I go to the aforementioned beach. However, I do pay visits to clients, go shopping and I also live very close to a really good mall. LOL!
Myth #4: I would never get this much work done at an office. I would get far more work done at an office. It’s a tug of war. Seriously, the energy of an office can be highly stimulating, and there are days I miss it. The luxury of being myself 24/7 overrides the stimulant requirement … that and the three pots of coffee per day.
Myth #5: See #4.
I fully agree with you. I’m full time employed still I’m working from home.
- If I do not do the regular morning activities, and start working with my pajama on, in the middle of the day I found myself finished almost no any real work.
- Indeed, you are a bit more flexible. You may go out to finish some other job you may have, but when you come back you may found out that the day is almost over, you’re tired and you cannot complete the job you actually planned to do.
- I’m an introvert, still I found that not talking with people all the day is not in my advance. I’m losing the sense how to properly communicate and express myself.
- I have a 1 year old son, and a new baby is on its way. I’m always trying to help the mother to take care of it, but it’s difficult when I have other tasks to do. I’m getting nervous when I hear the baby crying within the next room, or when my son wants to play with me and I can’t explain him I have to work.
Working at home is not for everyone. People that think it’s easier are in a big mistake. Working at home is having its advantages, but I found it harder rather than working from a regular office.