Dream about Working at Home? This is Your Reality Check.

Sitting in my cubicle, I dreamed of the day when I could work at home and trade in my long commute for no commute and pantyhose for yoga pants. I’ve been working at home for nine months now. I no longer fight traffic, pack my lunch, or decide what outfit I will wear to work. However, there was definitely an adjustment period when I felt lonely since I no longer was able to chat with my co-workers face-to-face or walk to the cafeteria together to grab a cup of coffee. I’ve grown to absolutely love working at home! But, it’s definitely not for everyone.

If you’re contemplating making the transition to working at home, there are several factors to consider.

Working at home is NOT for you if…

• You Lack Organization and Focus – If you have a difficult time staying organized and focused in the office, working at home will only magnify this issue. With so many potential distractions at home whether it’s pets, laundry, or dirty dishes, it’s natural to become easily distracted.

• You Need to be Around People to be Happy – The reality is that many people who work at home are by themselves for 8 to 10 hours per day. Granted, there maybe interaction via phone calls or local in person meetings, but for many people who telecommute, the majority of the time is spent by themselves.

• You Communicate Better in Person – When using Instant Messenger, phone, or email, it’s more likely that a miscommunication will occur. If you find that you communicate better face-to-face versus in writing, you may find working at home frustrating.

This your reality check. It’s important to consider what you need on a daily basis to make you happy in your career. Consider what components are needed for you to have a satisfying career. Is working at home one of them?