by Karen Shaw Suriner

Created on: February 20, 2009

"Work from home." This desirable phrase in a job listing conjures visions of kicking back in one's pajamas, coffee cup in hand. The dress code may be lax, but working from home comes with its own unique set of challenges.

Are you ready to scrap your commute? Here are some points to consider when deciding if a work-at-home situation is right for you:

1. How are your time management skills? Can you break down a large task into manageable increments? Can you formulate a plan of action and stick to it? Can you meet deadlines with little or no prompting? Be honest with yourself. To successfully work from home, at times one must be able to screen out the seemingly neverending demands of daily life and focus the work at hand. Working from home enables you to be physically present with your family throughout the day, but to be productive you will need to be able to focus on your work. One cannot play catch and finish paperwork at the same time. If you dawdle, you'll be the one staying up all night to get the job done, or missing out on lucrative opportunities.

2. Are you organized? In addition to billing taxes, and tracking tools and supplies, you may need to handle financial information (like credit card numbers, for example). It's absolutely crucial that you be able to manage paperwork and keep sensitive info secure, or be willing to hire/oversee someone who can.

3. Does your home have sufficient space and access to essentials? You may need to upgrade your Internet connection, for example, or your home's wiring, if your work requires high loads of electricity. You will likely pay increased fees to ship to and from your residence. A separate phone line with fax and voicemail service is recommended, especially if one has business associates in other time zones. Be sure to budget for increased utility bills, although you may be able to write off a portion of these on your taxes. Also check to see if additional insurance is required for example, if you use your vehicle in your business, or if you will be hosting clients in your home.

4. How obtrusive is the nature of your work? Does it generate noise, odor, waste, traffic? Anticipate how bringing your work into your home will affect your family and neighbors. If you make your own schedule, can you work at night without bothering anyone, or will you be able to discipline yourself to get up in the morning? It may be wise to familiarize yourself with local zoning laws and noise ordinances, as well as any applicable terms of your lease if you rent.

5. What are your social needs? The home office/studio can be a lonely place. If you're prone to feeling isolated, this solitary lifestyle may not be for you. Also, without a dictated work schedule, one must have the discipline to tactfully enforce one's own boundaries of social availability. For example, it may be necessary to leave personal calls temporarily unanswered until a project is complete or a deadline met. Can you let the phone ring?

The truth is, working from home also means living at work. Greater freedom is balanced by greater accountability. Finding the right balance for you is critical to your physical, emotional, social and financial well-being. In other words, knowing yourself is the key to success.

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