The one question that anyone who makes the decision to work from home has to ask himself or herself at one point in time is
this: Do I work for someone else or do I start my own business? Each possibility has pros and cons and there are several
things that will help you decide what is best for you.
One the one hand, while we have all dreamed of being our own boss with no one to tell us what to do (I think my dream
started at the ripe old age of 3), however, the reality is that you have more bosses when you are in business for yourself
than at any other point in your life. You see, each and every customer or client you have, immediately becomes the person
signing your paycheck. As such, they are the ones you must please in order to get paid. Nutty isn't it, you go into business
for yourself in order to have more people telling you what to do. The good news is that no one is taking a cut of your
paycheck for the privilege of telling you what to do.
The next thing about owning your own business is that you are the problem person. Unless you are fortunate enough to be able
to hire a 'problem person' to work under you (and most home business owners aren't that fortunate in the beginning), you are
the one customers and clients will call when there is a problem and it's your problem to fix it. Then there's the fact that
there is no one there to give you a quick kick in the rear when procrastination sets in. That for me has been the biggest
struggle. I'm the only one I can blame for not being productive. You are responsible for setting and maintaining your own
deadlines and for living up to your personal expectations of company performance. You will find that you are at some times a
taxing taskmaster and at other times far too lenient. But, there is a sense of satisfaction at the end of a workday,
especially one where you've accomplished plenty, that simply can't be felt when you're working to make money for someone
else.
Now, if you're considering working for someone else from home, as an employee, you will face many challenges in the
beginning. Many companies are hesitant to hire new workers who have never worked from home. That doesn't mean it won't
happen, just that it may take longer than finding a job outside the home would. One thing I always recommend is talking to
your current employer about allowing you to do this on a trial basis. There are many careers that will easily lend
themselves to this and others that will not. Be sure that it would be a compatible situation. Inform your boss of the
benefits to having you work from home. There are many, do your homework and present facts and figures.
It is always easier to stick with what you know when making the transition to work from home, but be aware that it is
different working from home than it is working in an office. You will have to be aware that you must be equally as
productive, if not more so, than you were at the office in order to convince your boss that this is a good situation for
both of you.
Some people don't want the responsibility involved with being their own boss. They would rather work for someone else and be
paid for the work that they do. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, most of the world operates this way.
There is some security involved in not being responsible for the failure or success of a business. You must still have
discipline when working for someone else; the difference is that you have someone to hold you accountable rather than being
accountable only to yourself. This is very effective for many people who would otherwise flounder, waste time,
procrastinate, or do housework to avoid doing the less favored functions of your job.
Choosing between a home business and a work at home job is the first step you must take towards a rewarding future working
from home. There is no one decision that is right or wrong for everyone and only you can choose the option that is right or
wrong with you. And you do not have to make a lifetime commitment to either. That may be the most beautiful thing about
working from home.
