Working From Home – - A Dream Come True

Working from home is a dream that many would-be entrepreneurs envision every day of their work lives. Being able to have a flexible, varying schedule making your own money your way is something that seems elusive to most but accomplishable to others. I have been working from home now for over 10 years. I have found it to be hard, demanding work but quite rewarding when weighed against the   –could have been –   scenario. Everyday, hundreds, if not thousands of people go online to see what they can do to make money AND stay at home. While these folks are predominantly women, there are even some men who dream of the work at home life. My experience in working from home has been a decision that I do not regret, but, I do wish I would have done some things differently. Here are some suggestions as you entertain the idea of working from home:

• Determine if you have a work from home frame of mind. Do you mind being by yourself for long periods of time without human interaction? There are days when I’m at my computer for hours with absolutely no human interaction. Aside from chat rooms and message boards, it’s just me and my glass of iced tea. Although it has never really bothered me, everyone is different. If you have to have someone to talk to, re-think the work-at-home life.
• Are you disciplined enough to work even when no one is watching you? Can you be counted on to meet deadlines, make telephone calls, turn in sales reports without having to be asked to do so? The freedom of doing as you please can sometimes be too much for certain personalities to handle. I used to be real bad at getting certain reports done because I felt like I had all the time in the world to do them. Not so. Paperwork must be completed in a timely manner as well to avoid being late. Remember, if you don’t do it, it won’t get done!
• Do you have the support of your family and friends? By this I do mean their full support. If your spouse is adding to your to-do list every day because you’re “at-home”, you’ll find yourself becoming resentful. Make sure family and well-meaning friends understand that you’re at home working, not just sitting there.

Find a business or contract work that you’re passionate about. Without that passion, that fire, you will quickly give up or become discouraged. DO NOT choose a work-at-home position solely on how much money you can possibly make. Sure, if you make millions while having fun, that’s cool. Choose a home business that you can and would do even if it took months or years to turn a profit. Hopefully, that won’t happen, but you get the idea. Passion turns a profit.

While working from home is definitely a life that I wouldn’t trade for anything, I would like to hear from you what motivates and empowers you in this wonderful, work-from-home entrepreneurial life. Do tell…