They say time flies when you are having fun – and I can’t believe it’s been eight years since I started working from home (when I was recovering from a redundancy). Although it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, I have no regrets.
If you are seriously weighing up the pros and cons of working from home, here are some things to consider:
The Pros
Good Mornings – You’re no longer under pressure to get ready (pre-Covid 19 anyways!) and out the door at a certain time – you choose the hours you work. I like to get some exercise with a brisk morning walk, before sitting at my desk for the day – which is great for my physical and mental health!
No Commuting – The trip to work is only a few steps. No more traffic jams, depending on public transport, spending an hour or two a day simply on travelling to and from work.
Pleasant Environment – You are now responsible for setting the atmosphere, so if you want to listen to the radio, go for it. There are no office politics to get tangled up in, bosses in bad moods, or other office pests to avoid. And you don’t tend to catch as many colds and viruses either!
Flexibility – It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to schedule any visits to hairdressers, doctors, etc, during the workday when there is usually much more availability. You can go shopping, catch up with friends, throw on a load of washing.
You are the Boss – Although you will still have deadlines, you get to be in charge of planning how you will meet them. You don’t have to ask permission to take a day off sick or finish work early.
Family First – If you have a family, it can be a real benefit that you are right there on the spot. My kids were teenagers when I started working from home, so didn’t really need me around – but I was glad I was there especially on school holidays. And I’ve also found that it doesn’t matter how old your children are, when they are sick they still need mum!
The Cons
Unreliable Income – No longer can you expect your bank account to be topped up automatically every week or fortnight. If you want to be paid, YOU have to get out there and find the clients, and chase up payment. Plus you no longer get paid for public holidays, sick leave, annual leave etc – and nor do you have an employer contributing to your super …
Silence and Solitude – I worried that I would get lonely, working from home. However mostly I’m too busy to stop and think about being lonely! I regularly have meetings with clients and potential clients, attend networking events where I get to talk with other business owners, and try to catch up with friends for lunch or coffee regularly, just like when I worked in an office.
Feast or Famine – Even after five years of working from home in my own business, I am still struggling with the “feast or famine” nature of my work. There are times when I am rushed off my feet, but I’m reluctant to ever say no to a client or project, because I’ve also experienced periods when I’ve had little work and have felt terrible about not contributing much to our household income. It’s a constant juggling act, and you have to learn how to handle it.
Discipline and Boundaries – It does take a certain amount of discipline to work from home – you can’t just binge watch the home reno shows, or go shopping every day! If you are like me, you will also find it hard to put boundaries on your working hours when your office is right there. I try to give myself at least one computer free day each weekend, and to make sure I turn off the computer before I start dinner – so I won’t be tempted to sneak back in the office and “just answer a couple of emails” …
Bouncing by Yourself – There is nobody else around for you to bounce ideas off, to celebrate wins with, or to turn to with a quick question. You may also find that you miss feedback and praise from your colleagues – clients have paid you to do a job, and often don’t think to thank you or commend you on a job well done!
Developing a Business Mindset – There is a great deal of difference between being an employee and running your own business, and it can take time to get your head around all that it entails.
Like any job, you will find that there are pros and cons that you need to weigh up before taking the plunge.
Of course, none of this takes into account what is required to start your own business! Perhaps that’s a blog post for another time 😉 .