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How to Decide Whether Working at Home Is for You

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(10 Ratings)

Working from your home can be rewarding, but it's not for everyone. Consider the following before you quit your day job.

From Quick Guide: Work from Home
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Consider how strong your desire to work from home is. The more you want to succeed at it, the more likely you will weather whatever difficulties arise.

  2. Step 2

    Think about the importance you place on your relationships with co-workers. If the social interaction at your office is one of your favorite things about your current job, you may feel isolated working at home. If, on the other hand, you're happiest when people leave you alone, you may thrive on the solitude of working at home.

  3. Step 3

    Consider how well you can adapt to doing many different tasks each day. When you work at home, you will likely be responsible for everything from answering the phone to taking out the trash, so you had better thrive on diversity.

  4. Step 4

    Are you the sort who keeps everything in its place? Organized types will have an advantage when it comes to keeping up with reams of paperwork without secretarial or support staff.

  5. Step 5

    Consider whether you love what you do. People who love what they do are less likely to procrastinate.

  6. Step 6

    Analyze the space where you live. Do you enjoy spending time there, and do you have an adequate space in which to set up a home office?

  7. Step 7

    How do others in your household feel about you working at home? It helps if your family or housemates are supportive of your decision to work at home.

  8. Step 8

    Do you have at least a few months' salary put away in the bank? Especially if you are freelancing or starting your own business, you can't always count on a regular payday.

Tips & Warnings
  • If at all possible, arrange to work from home for a week or so before making your final decision. Perhaps your boss will allow you to work from home for a week, or maybe you'll want to use a week of vacation to do a trial run.
  • Though working at home often frees you from the unpleasant politics and power games of some offices, it also means you probably won't get positive feedback very often, either. If you're the sort of person who thrives on recognition, working at home may not be for you.

Comments  

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jamiellee said

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on 10/8/2009 Now I know I do the right thing..Thanks for the tips!:D

atravis said

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on 7/27/2009 If you want to be in control of your time and your income, as well as prioritize your family while you earn a great income then working from home may be for you! That's if you're in the right business. The recession has done nothing but help my business. I'd love to share more. Visit http://www.MomsWhoSucceed.com.

If you're motivated and have good communication skills and want to work from home without sales, pressuring people, doing parties or risking anythng financially then this may be for you too!

http://www.MomsWhoSucceed.com

You won't be disappointed!

capx197 said

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on 6/29/2009 you got to make money to make it worth it-Here is some great affiliate sites if you want to make some extra online MONEY affiliatesforyou.yolasite.com

jusayu said

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on 6/26/2009
There is a site I found. They pay me to read e-mail,
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Flag This Comment

on 6/20/2009 Good tips! #2 I think is very important and so is #7. The do a "dry run" for a week is a good tip too. All stuff I am seriously considering as I type!

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