How to Decide Whether Working at Home Is for You

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

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

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Copy Machines
Laser Printers
Bookcases
Desk Chairs
Desk Lamps
Desk Set
Desks
File Cabinets
Computers
Office Software
Cellular Phones

Step1

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.

Step2

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.

Step3

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.

Step4

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.

Step5

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

Step6

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?

Step7

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.

Step8

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.

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Comments

Anonymous said

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on 9/15/2006 Mental preparation is important. When we are ready, the first thing is to organize a working desk with wall memo board, and later having cabinets to establish good filing system. It helps when we start to work, we have good concentration. Working from home allows us to listen to music for inspiration and creativity in job. It can get pretty warm in the afternoon, and you will have to decide if you wish to on the air-conditioner or open the window. The electricity bill may get high if you are a person who cannot do without air-conditioner. By fixing a small fan onto the table next to the laptop actually helps!

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