Working from Home: Are You Ready?

Lots of Americans dream of working from home. If you've come here, you might even be one of them, too. Are you tired of office politics? Do you imagine how much more money there is to be made? Or, might you be one of those folks who imagine the freedom of working from home in your pajamas? I'm honored to be possibly the first to share with you that, much like parenthood, or a real-life mugging, there are some things you can't anticipate until you find yourself in the situation.

Working from home: Are you ready for the hours?
Doesn't it sound so great? Not having to punch a time clock, that is. Ah...the joys of sleeping in on weekends, no schedule, and no commute lure folks into answering so many ads offering the Great American Dream of being their own bosses. Well, throw those working from home pipe dreams out of the window! Here's the truth my friend: There might not be a time clock, but that's because you might just be working nearly twenty-four hours a day. There will be days when it feels like you are.

Working later than expected, doing more than was planned for, and still getting up on time the next day is par-for-the-course, in the world of the self-employed. Grit your teeth, commit yourself to do whatever it takes, and eschew sleep. You still might find yourself not making a dime, losing bids to a competitor, or just making the wrong people mad.

The good news? If you're good at what you do, and if you own up honestly to mistakes, and if you learn to schedule your time properly, this can be overcome eventually. But nobody honest will tell you it's going to be easy.

Working from home: Are you ready for the opinions of others?
I'm not just talking about the in-laws or your parents, and blatant detractors. (Keep them around. They actually love you.) There will be times when others, even those who seem friendly, will try to suggest ideas that are just plain stupid. "Helpful suggestions" can even be purposeful distractions and disinformation, intended to throw you off course, so somebody they're really rooting for gets the upper-hand on you. Some decisions you must make entirely on your own, and to hell with the "friendliest" of people. Make your decisions, share them with noone, and let the chips fall where they may. Secretly trust only those who've earned your trust. Competition is fierce, with a reputation for dirty tricks.

The good news? Those critics can reveal your weaknesses, and where a little reinforcement is needed. False friends are easy to sniff out.

Working from home: Are you ready to face what you fear the most?
Do you hate to be told "no?" Then go back to the 9 to 5. Does gossip and rumor hurt your feelings? Whatever field you're in, self-employment is not your game. Is the thought of adjusting your moral compass, maybe even lying occasionally, and doing so with a straight face too much to ask? Then go back home to Momma. Life is good, yes it is. But that doesn't mean this world we all live in isn't sometimes a cold, uncaring place. Ask yourself honestly, what those things are your fears are made of. Because it's likely you'll face each of them at least once. Be ready.

The good news? Most of what you fear is really nothing more than anticipated perceptions. Confidence in yourself can often make a dog's bark worse than the bite. Stepping into a punch can take out most of it's force.

Working from home: Are you ready to find the greatest treasure?
What I've brought up here is by no means, exhaustive. Like my best friends have told me before: "Don't worry. It'll get worse." It can. But, once you've met these challenges, and overcome them, the rewards really are everything you dreamed of, and so much more. Be prepared to face these challenges, and do so fearlessly, if you want to succeed at working from home.

Source:

Personal experience