Having an online business has its advantages especially being able to work at home. Being able to work at home is the be all – end all achievement for the 5 day a week, and 8+ hours spent in the job grind. It can seem like a dream come true but at the same time it can have the opposite effect. Trading one set of problems for another set of problems.
Well you might be thinking – so what? I’m working at home, how bad can that be?
Here’s the thing – that job that provides structure and salary paid out routinely is a huge benefit for paying bills and providing a lifestyle. However, an online business is completely dependent on YOU. If you don’t work you don’t make money and you know how the story goes.
So right out of the gate, establishing good habits and making the most of your time is a requirement for your success. Let’s look at some of the pitfalls and benefits of the work at home lifestyle.
Pitfalls That You May Encounter
The collision of work and home life. It’s difficult to always meet the needs of your family and be able to get your work done. You might find yourself working at odd times to get it done. I, at times, feel guilty for taking time off, feeling that I need to be doing more for my business. Then feeling I need to spend more time with my family and tasks associated with that which takes time away from my work. It can be a vicious cycle.
The lines certainly get blurred between home and work when you are working at home all day, everyday.
Having the feeling you are working for free. Much of the work you do for your business is not billable, therefore you will feel like free work until you start making a profit. It can be hard to push yourself to do things that aren’t producing income right now, but you must push through so that you can keep your business running smoothly.
Family will ask you to do stuff (since you’re not doing anything) – Not just family, but sometimes friends will start to depend on you being there for them for everything. They’ll ask you to do their chores like watching their sick kid so they can go to work. Your spouse and children will stop helping out around the house as much, since you’re there anyway. It never ends.
You’ll crave being out of the house. Sometimes, when you go out, as you’re on your way home you’ll get the distinct feeling you’re going to jail. You will want to do anything but go home, even grocery shop. Yep, I’ve been there a few times.
Stuff will distract you. Without supervision, even the most studious and organized individual can go off the rails due to the internet, television and stuff that is around to distract you from work. It’s up to YOU and only YOU to set up a good working schedule to help you avoid this.
I know I have been a bit negative about working at home. Let’s now focus on the GREAT part about having an online business and working from home!
The Awesomeness Of Working At Home
No more living by the clock. If you arrange your business right you can wake up naturally without an alarm forcing you to get up when your body isn’t ready. You can also go to bed when you want to as well. It’s freedom not to always live by the clock.
No more traffic jams. One of the best perks is not having to be caught in a traffic jam during rush hour when you need go to the bathroom. You won’t have to do that anymore and it will be a relief, especially on bad weather days when everyone else has to trudge through the snow or the heat.
Fewer work-related interruptions. Office chatter can get overwhelming at times, not to mention the politics, and it can be difficult to get work done. And there’s office meetings. Be honest, did you ever really get work done due to a meeting? During the meeting you’re thinking about how you could be getting work done right now instead of talking about it.
You really can work in Your PJs – oh yes you can! You can wear PJs, yoga pants, or a potato sack; no one cares. You can even get inspired right out of the shower and work naked if you want to. It’s your business and your house.
You can have a flexible schedule, especially if you have a parent-teacher meeting – you don’t have to ask permission to go. If you want to get your hair done, go for it. Whatever you want to do during the day is up to you as long as you find time to also get your work done so you can make money. Your schedule is your own!
You can eat healthier. Going out to work often causes everyone to eat out for lunch five days a week. That can not only be super expensive, but it is also very unhealthy for everyone to do it. Now you can prepare healthy lunches for yourself or eat leftovers from dinner the night before. Save money, and save your life.
Working at home offers many benefits and even a few drawbacks. It’s up to you to determine if you have the personality for it. You’ll need to rein in family and friends who want to take advantage of you, as well as yourself, to stay on track for creating a healthy and profitable home business.
If this kind of work at home lifestyle appeals to you. Let me help you achieve your goal of an online business.
So…
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