Photo courtesy of Alicia Solario
By Crissy Mueller, Writing that Works
If you are considering starting your own business based out of your home – I want to dispel any illusions. Working from home is one of those things that it’s easy to be perhaps too optimistic and maybe a little naive about. (If you are a working mother, it’s even trickier). Yes, it’s great to be able to curl up in front of your laptop wearing comfy clothes and no makeup. That part is true. But, there are lots of expectations that need to be managed, including – or maybe especially – your own.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Your spouse will sometimes forget you have a job because you happen to work at home. (Spouse or partner needs to realize that no, you will not have time to re-organize the pantry on Monday).
- You yourself will feel like you should have the house clean and the laundry done at all times – even though it’s impossible. Ok, maybe you can sneak in one or two quick household tasks (say, in lieu of taking a coffee break) – but not much if you want to stay focused.
- Distractions are lurking everywhere. Boundaries are essential. This applies even to the most disciplined and focused of us. On the other hand, sometimes you only realize how long you have been sitting in front of the computer when your leg muscles completely go numb from lack of movement.
- If you have an urgent project and your kid is sick and can’t go to daycare – it doesn’t matter if you work from home or not. The inconvenience and frustration is the same.
- If you don’t allocate time for business development – there will be no business development. If you’re a mom, your kids need to be in daycare or otherwise cared for in order for this to happen. My point is that you have to build in the time. Period.
- It’s hard to work in a bubble. The lack of contact with other people – just for the mental break and change of pace – is hard. Of course it’s nice not to have typical office distractions to deal with – they can take away so much time. But having no opportunities for friendly, banal exchange during the day is perhaps just as detrimental. You still need people. Building a network for this is key.
Working from home is not necessarily easier or less stressful than an office job – it’s just different. If you weigh all the pros and cons and decide to go for it, here are some great resources about working from home:
http://www.workfromhomewisdom.com/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2012/08/16/how-to-succeed-at-working-from-home/
http://www.womenunlimitedworldwide.com/work-from-home/
At home, you have more flexibility. But, beware that you could end up feeling frustrated if you harbor the expectation that you should be “doing it all” (as we moms tend to do). This is perhaps one of the key expectations that needs to be managed. The bottom line is: work-life balance is still hard, no matter where your “office” is.
Bio
Crissy Mueller is an expat entrepreneur based in the La Côte region of Lake Geneva. She provides writing, editing and translation services through her company, Writing that Works. Her mission is to help businesses and individuals get the results they want though quality writing in English.
Before starting her own business, Crissy worked for companies and organizations in Germany, Switzerland and the United States, where she managed and coordinated a variety of programs at the intersection of education, travel and cultural exchange. She has a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Cambridge, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and German from Tufts University.
She is passionate about intercultural communication, entrepreneurship, and discovering how to live life to the fullest.
Website: www.writingthatworks.net
