The picture that likely comes into your head when you imagine working from home is one of unlimited freedom and the ability to make your own choices. To some degree that's true. Being able to determine the hours you work is the most attractive aspect of this scenario, plus the fact that there is no boss looking over your shoulder.

Working out of your home can shield you from the harmful effects of office politics, which seems to be a never-ending cycle in many companies. I have experienced this and the behaviour of some individuals made my days at work a living hell. Why would you want to go through that? This finally dawned on me about two years ago. All the money in the world is not worth putting up with disillusioned, miserable and in some cases, tyrannical bosses and employees.

Self-employment gives you the opportunity to spend your time doing something you love to do, and to make money while you do it. Is there any other way to live your life? At a regular job, you'll likely do the same tasks over and over again. Variety is the spice of life! There are no boundaries to your creativity and inspiration when promoting a home-based business.

Like anything in life there are some drawbacks. Working from home IS work. The majority of people who do this put in long hours every day, and it takes discipline, imagination and the ability to pay attention to fine details.

Speaking of details, when operating a home based business it would mean you have to take care of your own accounting and taxes. If you let that slide it can turn into a nightmare. The paperwork involved in running a company would undoubtedly be a task that would test the patience of a saint.

I would say the biggest disadvantage of having your own company is that it can take a very long time to get some customers. The cash will not appear for weeks or even months. Advertising is a tricky business and it must be handled by you and no one else.

Also, it's very easy to become lazy and disorganized. You might wake up, make yourself some coffee, throw yourself into it for an hour or two and then be distracted by the television and so forth. Actually, motivation is the hardest thing to maintain when working from home.

The benefits outweigh the negative points, I've no doubt about it. Never again will I put myself at the mercy of a boss, no matter how nice he/she might be. The reason is simple. They will always have the power to fire me, and what little job security there is will disappear.

It's time to move on to something more worthwile.

Learn more about this author, Scott Hayden.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about The pros and cons of working from home?
We want to hear your view. Write now!