How to Decide Whether Working at Home Is for You

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

Things You'll Need

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

Instructions

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

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. 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. 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.