How to Overcome Work From Home Disadvantages

Careers have changed in the past few decades. Many companies have chosen to shift some of their workloads to contract employees or independent contractors that work from their homes. These types of workers save the companies from having to supply space and benefits for these individuals. In return the employees get to avoid the daily commute and adjust their schedule to accomplish the work without ever leaving their home.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Set a schedule for your work. Treat working at home just as you would work in an office. The work is still important and part of a person's psychological well being is being able to maintain a schedule. Putting a schedule into effect makes your time at work valuable to others. It will limit interruptions and time stealers.

2. Keep focused. Working at home is much more comfortable than working in an office but the distractions are also much more prevalent. It is easy to be distracted into cleaning the house, watching TV or slipping into an afternoon nap. This isn't a sign of laziness but one of losing sight of the tasks at hand and mixing up the priorities.

3. Make social contact a part of your daily schedule. Many work at home employees feel disconnected from people. This can lead to discouragement and depression. Avoid this by making it a point to schedule business lunches, attendance at meetings and social phone contacts with customers or business associates.

4. Plan for taxes and benefits. One drawback of being a stay at home worker is that there are few benefits and that you are responsible for your own taxes. Make plans to set aside money for income taxes to the state and federal governments. Investigate how to provide for health insurance and retirement. Don't forget to make periodic payments to the IRS for taxes throughout the year. Keep exact records on business use of your home and vehicles.

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[tinksmagic]

on 2/26/2009 I have to budget both my work at home time and my home time. Both need to get done while I'm home, so my day needs balance so I don't lose focus.

[Maddy0808]

on 11/19/2008 Through my experience of working from home, schedules are essential. Without a schedule things can get extremely chaotic. I tried just working my work at home jobs, but then the house wasn't getting cleaned, the kids weren't getting enough time spend with them, it was crazy. I then made everything in a schedule and MUST stick to it. You do need to be sure to leave your work in your home office when your office hours are over. Dealing with work during family time can cause great strife in a relationship. Save yourself the time.

Maddy

[S56Pell]

on 11/14/2008 There are a lot of distractions when moving into work at home mode. There's the kids, the telephone, the spouse, the neighbors, the dog, other obligations etc.. It can seem nightmarish at first but believe me, you get the hang of things. It'll come like second nature when everyone sees that mom/dad is serious about working from home. I started working at home when my first child was born, both my kids grew up around me taking inbound calls for clients. They knew when the phone rings, don't talk. lol. That's the beauty of working at home, flexibility. Take your time and you'll see the magic it can create.

Sandy
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