Planning to work from home – think of all the aspects

By Vishal P. Rao

Complaining about the job you have is probably the most common past time of most corporate people. The discomfort and uselessness of corporate politics, meaningless titles and hierarchy, a long and tiring commute to the workplace and an intolerable superior are probably the most talk about topics in the office cafeterias. To add to that are the taxes that seem to take the thrill away from receiving the paycheck every month. Some people have an added responsibility of balancing personal life and professional life and may feel that their professional life continuously impinges upon their personal time due to unavoidable circumstances.

If all this seems familiar, it is obvious that you may have given a thought to alternate options that include working from home. And it is not absurd to want to work from home especially since most people did seem to have the luxury of working from home or near their homes before the industrial revolution. However, it is important that you realize that the grass always seems greener on the other side.

Make your peace with the fact that there will be no regular paycheck credited to your bank account at the end of every month. Think about the various amenities that you are entitled to simply because you are part of a large organization and foresee the consequences of not having those later. These could include ‘taken for granted’ aspects like IT and infrastructure support, administrative issues, medical benefits, lunch coupons and the like. Also think of the added responsibilities that are likely to have once you decide to work from home. These include taking the dog to the vet, picking up the kids, taking kids for a party, buying groceries, doing the laundry and various other chores that you normally share with your partner over the weekend.

Even after assessing the above mentioned aspects, if you still feel that the odds are in favor of working from home, then by all means, go ahead and take the plunge. But don’t take such a step without adequate planning and thought. Giving up a secure job out of frustration may lead you to a situation that may result in substantial loss in overall household income. So plan ahead and make the actual move at the right time.

Some aspects that you should take into consideration when you start working from home are mentioned below. Weigh each of these points and apply them to your specific situation before you make any significant changes in your career and work.

Research your options well – It is a wise man that learns from the experience of others. With the advancements in connectivity using the Internet and telephony, there are numerous people who have already made this shift and started working from home. Given your capabilities and specific skills, assess the various options that are available to you with respect to working from home. Would you rather work as a freelancer, take on the role of a virtual office assistant or start a completely new venture? Also determine whether you want to continue being part of an organization and bargain for a work-from-home option or would you prefer to venture out on your own? There are many corporate offices today that actually encourage people to work from home to avoid unnecessary investments in space, infrastructure and management. On the other hand starting something new on your own presents a different set of challenges.
Financial assessment – One of the most important things that you will need to address is related to overall household finances. Taking a decision to work from home or start off on your own have more serious consequences if you are the main household earner or if your income contributes significantly to the living standards of your family. On the contrary, if you are lucky enough to be in a situation where your income is supplementary, your risk taking capacity increases by a large margin. Think about the investments that your new venture will need and ensure that you have enough saved for the rainy day. Understand that you may have to make certain adjustments in your spending patterns at the initial stages before your business gets more stable.
Be your own boss – Much as you may like the fact that you don’t have to bother about reporting to work on time and being nattily dressed, understand that discipline can be a decisive factor in determining your potential for success in your attempt to work from home. Setting short term and mid term goals, maintaining a daily list of tasks to complete before the end of the day and keeping a diary of appointments (these can now include personal appointments as well since you will now be flexible) will go a long way in making you a winner. Working in your pajamas may be luring and you can indulge yourself at times. But realize that what you wear can affect your mood and sentiments. You obviously do not want laziness and casualness to reflect in your work.
Treat it like a job – Interruptions from friends, relatives and neighbors can prove to be a nuisance during the designated work hours. Preempt these situations and explain your stance to the people concerned. Do not entertain phone calls, sudden visits from friends and the need to complete a household chore during your work hours. Readjust your work hours based on the time required to complete your daily task and feel free to ‘leave early from work’ if there is less to accomplish on a working day.

Having mentioned these points, it is pertinent to state that customizing these to suit your specific needs and situation is important. After all, the idea of working from home is to have the flexibility in working hours and style that you have always yearned for.

About the Author:

Vishal P. Rao is an online entrepreneur and manages the Work at Home Forum, a friendly online community of those who work from home.

		WORK AT HOME JOB LISTINGS & RESOURCES