No need to beat traffic to the office or even get dressed in your best. The alarm goes off, alerting you that it's seven o'clock and time to get off and do some work. Smiling, you look outside and see that's it's pouring rain. Hitting snooze, you roll onto the other side and sleep in.
Three hours later you finally get up and head to the kitchen for something to eat. The dishes need doing, the fridge is empty and the house looks like the tornado has hit it. Frido the Labrador is waiting impatiently to be walked.

Now, it's after lunchtime, your tummy is grumbling and your partner's called that the kids need to be picked up from school. Not a problem. The kids need help with homework and you need to prepare dinner. Eat. Wash up. Play with the kids. Quality time with the husband. Off to bed. As you lie down you promise yourself tomorrow you will do the work.

This is an exaggerated view of reality of working from home but it's not that far off. Being at home during the day makes us vulnerable to many distractions around the house as mentioned above. Unless we are stronger than they are, working from home is going to end in disaster.

Working from home may sound like easy and lots of fun. Lots of people dream of this type of reality. However what they fail to grasp is the fact that it's not as simple and rosy as it sounds. Working from home requires self discipline, dedication, organisation, and the power to say no.

Can you answer yes to these statements?

I am self disciplined and have the initiative to work on my own.

I don't need a boss looking over my shoulder.

I can work towards deadlines in a timely and organised manner.

I can avoid distractions like a dirty house, dishes in the sink, the ringing phone, hungry spouse.

I can say no to my closest family and friends when they interrupt my working day.

I can organise my day so that I work efficiently and effectively at home.

I can put my work before other unnecessary things like cooking, cleaning, talking to friends.

I can spend large chunks of time on my lonesome.

If you can state yes to all of them, than working at home shouldn't be a problem. However, if you have trouble with some of them, you should reconsider. Of course you can work on your inabilities, but before embarking on a job from home be it freelance or outsourcing, make sure that you understand what you are getting yourself into.

Working from home isn't sleeping in every morning and working in your pyjamas. Sure you can head out to the cinema or go to the gym in the middle of the day but at some point you are still going to have to get the job done. And yes, times will come when you will have to work all through the night.

Yes working working from home is fantastic. It gives you the freedom to do what you want and when you want to, but it also places a huge responsibility in your hands. Be sure that you are ready and willing to take it on fully without any repercussions. Above all, enjoy it, because it really is a fantastic way to make a living.

Learn more about this author, Katarzyna Radzka.
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