Working from home – is it for everybody?

For many years I worked in an office where you were either a member of the `clicky’ group or not. If you weren’t up-to-date on the latest fashion trends or best coordinating accessories then you were surely left behind or completely ignored for the day – or sometimes even longer. Fashion magazines were normally strewn around the desks with talk of which celebrity was seen where & who was seeing who.

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In one of more memorable jobs I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel far & wide, plane hop each month, eat beautiful food, live life out of a suitcase and visit some amazing places, all in the name of business. But at what cost? on the flip side, some of the disadvantages faced was lots of time away from the family, missed parents evenings, missed family gatherings and the exclusion from other social & business events. Would my children remember who I was, or just see me as that person always `coming & going’ not a constant person in their lives.

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After a lot of soul searching the decision was made to give it all up, put away the suitcase & pack away the passport (for the time being). I wanted the flexibility of working from home, being my own boss running a successful business and getting the ideal work / life balance whilst fulfilling all other responsibilities. I started my own business at the beginning of 2013 and whilst there was a lot of blood sweat & many tears the effort was not in vain. Whilst anyone can make a go at running their own business, having a home based business may not be everyone’s cup of tea, as working from a home environment can drive some to distraction. It takes a dedicated, organised & disciplined person to make it do-able. Some find the solitary confinement maddening whilst I on the other hand relish the solitude & peace to concentrate on running the business, working on client projects or acquiring new business. For some the whir of the photocopier or clang of the tea trolley is what makes them feel a part of a team or larger organisation. Us homeworkers don’t always sit around in pyjamas, casual clothes will also do! On a serious note though working from home as a virtual assistant or providing virtual services can be highly successful if done correctly. If you are a newbie to running a home working business then it is well worth reading up on this area & doing your due diligence.

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I feel I made the right decision to start my own home working business and have never looked back, have you?

Right, think it’s time I changed out of my pyjamas now, I have an important meeting to attend!….