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Home » The Famous Blog » 4 Things You Need to Know Before You Start Working from Home

4 Things You Need to Know Before You Start Working from Home

November 16, 2010 - Last Modified: November 16, 2010 by Peter Garety

Working At Home

If there is one thing that every person who is making the transition to work from home should learn at the earliest time possible, it is the fact that change is inevitable.  For some of us, dealing with this change is easy.  For others, though, it takes a lot of attitude adjustment and a lot of jumping over hurdles.  But if you really want to strike out on your own and work from within the comfort of your own home, there is no obstacle in this world that can stop you from doing exactly what it is that you intend to do.

Still, it would help a lot if you knew what changes you can expect as you make this transition from being a regular, white-collar office worker to a stay-at-home entrepreneur.  From my own past experience and from the experience of those I know who have been working from home for years now, here are four things which I believe everyone who is thinking of making the jump from being an employee to being a freelancer or work-from-home entrepreneur should know before they start.

#1: Weight Gain Is Inevitable If You Don’t Watch Out

working in an office can keep you from getting too fat
Working in an office can keep you from getting too fat

In some ways, working in an office can keep you from getting too fat. Even if you sit for hours on end at your desk and even if you munch on greasy takeaway food and on snacks from the office lounge’s vending machine, you still get to do things that get your body moving.  Things like walking to your boss’ corner office to make your reports, visiting your co-workers’ workstations, walking to the car park where you left your car or running to the train station to and from work keep your body from being totally sedentary.

This can change when you start working from home.  At home, it is far too easy to forget that you’ve been sitting in front of your computer for 12 hours straight, with only short trips to the bathroom or to the kitchen to address bodily needs.  Heck, you can lay in bed all day with your laptop and no one is going to stop you from doing it.  Worse, you can develop this habit of eating whenever you want to because you are no longer limited by such things as timed lunch breaks or coffee breaks.  If you don’t watch out, you can easily gain 20 to 30 pounds at the least on your first year as a self-employed professional working from home.

#2: IM Clients Are Poor Substitutes for Face-to-Face Interaction

Face-to-Face Interaction
IM Clients Are Poor Substitutes for Face-to-Face Interaction

As an office worker, you have every opportunity in the world to have a social life. You can go out for lunch with a co-worker or grab a beer with them after the day’s shift is done.  Interacting with clients also lets you meet people with whom you can socialize after office hours or on weekends.  You’ll also have Fridays and weekends to hang out with friends.

When you start working from home, though, the words “social life” may be one of the things you will begin to miss if you don’t schedule your time properly.  You’re mostly at home and you may get so overwhelmed by your new line of work that your calendar lists mostly deadlines now, even during weekends.  Sure, you can keep in touch with friends through Facebook or Twitter, and you can exchange emails and instant messages with them. Still, talking to friends through IM clients is a very poor substitute for face-to-face interaction.  Not only will this lead to alienation, but it will also drive you nuts.

#3: Getting in the Mood to Work Can Be a Challenge when Working from Home

Getting in the Mood to Work Can Be a Challenge when Working from Home
Getting in the Mood to Work Can Be a Challenge when Working from Home

At the office, you have no choice but to work whether you want to or not.  Not only are the opportunities for goofing off or playing hooky more limited, but you also run the risk of getting caught by the boss or by the office tattler if you do something else other than your assigned tasks at your workstation.

It’s a different scenario when you work from home.  Your home can be full of distractions and you are definitely on your own.  You will find that there’s always a chore that needs to be done, a ringing phone that must be answered, or a knock on the front door that can’t be ignored.  There’s also the danger of procrastination.  You can always say that you’ll get your work done after you’re done watching TV or messing with your Facebook games or leveling your character in whatever MMORPG you have subscribed to.  If you don’t control yourself and learn to balance your time, you will never get anything done.

#4: It’s Hard to Convince Family that Just Because You’re at Home, It Doesn’t Mean You’re Not Working

It's Hard to Convince Family that Just Because You're at Home, It Doesn't Mean You're Not Working
It's Hard to Convince Family that Just Because You're at Home, It Doesn't Mean You're Not Working

When you work for someone else in an office, the mere fact that you have to commute to and from work every single day forces you to keep your work life and your home life separate.  At the office, you have no choice but to focus on your work.  Whatever chores or errands waiting for you at home, you can leave them for later until you get home.

The lines between home life and work life get thoroughly blurred once you start working from home, especially when you live with family.  Your spouse or your kids can clamor for your attention all the time, and it’s hard to ignore chores or errands that need to be done.  Unless you make these people living with you understand that you only relocated your workplace and you have working hours too, the idea of working from home can only become very frustrating for you.

Working from home is great for those who are inclined to do it!

It definitely gives you the freedom to work however way you want to.  However, if you intend to shift the course of your career towards this path, you should do so without any illusions.  Working from home is not any easier than working in an office.  There are certainly challenges that you need to overcome, and perhaps these challenges are more than what you may expect.

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Filed Under: Online Business

About Peter Garety

Follow @PeterGarety

I help people to quit their 60 hr per week job and double their income within 90 days. I am currently run Blogging Mechanics site, where I give away more information how you can make killing online.

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{ 44 Responses }

  1. Dan Lew says:
    This is a really great post and you are right finding a balance is the key, I was surprised how much wight I put on from sitting on the computer, but I break up my days with good exercise and nutrition
  2. Arijit Das says:
    I consider the worst thing about working from Home is the Excess Fats gaining. A bitter truth about most blogger is that they have belly. Counting from the Bloggers like Chris Brogan to me itself is suffering from the obesity! We can say that it's a Gift of "Blogging" to us! : This is the reason why being a professional blogger is like giving your life to leisure . That doesn't mean that we blogger don't work hard, we do a huge mental & stressful works..
  3. Mike says:
    Having a home based business can be challenging but rewarding. Discipline is a key. It can be real easy to let things slide and get distracted from your work. But the commute is great.
  4. Dennis says:
    #4 has been the main problem for me. I also think that working from home actually requires more dedication and effort than a regular office job.
  5. Geno Prussakov says:
    All great points, and I can certainly identify with all but the number 3. I love my work (as, I know, many other affiliate marketers do too), and I have no problem "getting in the mood to work".
  6. Daisy says:
    Working from home requires planning. I have a schedule for every day of the week and working out at the gym is right on top of the list. It gives you much needed social interaction you might be lacking when you work from home and is a great way to kick start the day, not to mention stave of those pesky extra pounds!
  7. Charlene says:
    Thank you for the great article, Peter. How very right you are. I've been working from home for years and personally experienced every one of the 4 things you talked about. To solve the weight gain issue I work out before sitting down at my desk and snacking at my desk is allowed. I don't have children at home but the neighbors would drop by whenever they wanted. I asked them to call before coming over to see if I was available. Making lunch and dinner dates with friends saved my sanity. Personal human interaction is so important and shouldn't be neglected. Finally, if you're in a business that has live events, go to them. Meeting team mates and other people in your field not only creates new a stronger team but could expand your business through partnerships and join ventures.
    • Peter from Blogging Mechanics says:
      Thanks for your great comment. It is great to hear how you tackle and manage each of the problems, so that you can get ahead in your work at home adventure. Well done!
  8. mrokoi says:
    Point no.4 is happened to me also. It's very hard to explain to my family about being a fulltime blogger.
  9. Pritam says:
    It happens soon or later in everyone's life when they think of working from home. Everyone faces one or all the problems and its really difficult to ignore them until and unless you are determined. The biggest problem is with social life as you are working alone and have nobody to talk with you.
  10. Kimi says:
    Hi Peter, I love to earn money (working) from home, it is more comfortable, since it is starting to be cold here in Germany, LOL I hate driving in snow. The only downside of working at home is less socialization :( Thanks for the great points.
  11. Isabel Rodrigues - Pro Blogger Journey says:
    I quite agree with all your points. Especially the fourth one. I had quiet and issue in my early days in online business. I was often asked as to why I am not working. Its been almost 7 years now I hope they got the answer :p
  12. Dean Saliba says:
    What a great article. I started working from home two years ago and my family think all I do is play games and chat to friends online. No matter how many times I explain to them or show them they still refuse to believe me. :)
  13. Murlu says:
    The hardest thing I've noticed has been getting in the mood to work - if I come home and plop down in front of the computer and throw on a movie than it's pretty much the end of productivity for the night but if I get right into it - I always seem to get things done. You just have to find the best time to work; it's not a set schedule, you have to feel it out.
  14. TJ McDowell says:
    My wife and I run an at home business, and as far as work time vs home time, the line definitely gets blurred. We came to the point where we found that one of us had to go into an office we built downstairs, and then they were on work time, and the other person was on kid duty. The good news about the kids is that chasing them around all day keeps the weight gain that you mentioned off.
    • Peter from Blogging Mechanics says:
      Thanks for your comment. I am doing things the same way as you do. We also stay at home both, so we divide the time when each of us is working for business and who take care of the kid. It is fantastic cooperation and I am very thank full for the support I get from my wife.
  15. Kerry says:
    Really great article, I agree totally that with all your points but more so with number 3 and 4. When you are just starting to work from home it can be tough to avoid excessive procrastination and to get it through your family's head that just because you are at home doesn't mean you are not working. However, I believe if you really want to work from home then after a while these distractions will become minor issues because you'll learn to overcome them by developing a system or schedule to follow.
  16. Dennis Edell says:
    3 and 4 are my biggest obstacles, as I'd bet they are for many. #3 is worse for those like me, with some physical disabilities/pain. Not only do we have to overcome the normal obstacles of it, but bad days pain wise are even worse. I've found the best way to deal with #4 is to give in to the fact that it is what it is. You can talk 'till you're blue in the face or just try to ignore them all.
  17. Lauren Ashley Miller says:
    This feels like it was written directly to me! I've spent the past two months working mostly from home, and yes - I've gained weight, I work in bed ALL day, social life is suffering... it's easy to ignore these things until you're called out on it. Thanks for the wake up call and the advice!
  18. Alan Maddick says:
    Nice article, working from home i haven't put on weight if anything i find the opposite is true i eat better working from home and have lost weight, however i agree work life balance issues are really hard, either the family won't let you work enough or you work too much. I try and keep a set schedule to help TRY being the operative word...
  19. Hung says:
    Work from home, weight will gain.May be not for me.
  20. Karan says:
    Well the first tip goes on for me, I didn't realize that but I have gained a lot of weight since I have started blogging.
  21. Adam says:
    Hi Peter, Although I like the idea to work from home, to wake up a bit later, to avoid all those mornings traffic jams and for a month or two I would probably enjoy that. However I think, I would get bored in some point from being in the same place every day and every night. Adam
  22. Tinh says:
    Frankly I can not work from home now, the last two image can apply to my situation :-) Thanks for great article
  23. Henway says:
    Ditto on the driving you crazy because of all the time alone. It's what made me find a co-working space after just a year. I just needed some social interaction... even if it's just hearing a stranger talk. Staying at home all day.. I ended up talking to myself all the time, and knew that had to change.
  24. Devesh - WordPress Hacks says:
    Awesome Post Peter. You've made some amazing points. I found working environment is the hardest part of working from home. Thanks for sharing this awesome Post. Great work !!
  25. Ronika says:
    One certainly has to be disciplined when working from home. I find that it helps me to minimize junk food and have lots of fruit lying around (of course there are times when it is difficult not to order out)
  26. Patricia says:
    Hi Peter I've just been working from home for a few months and can relate to some of the points you are making! I tend to have to realise it's okay to have some breadks and don't have to work all the hours I'm up!!! As my business is new I realise it does take time and I will do more hours till it is established but am learning that going out and socialising is okay too. I'm not sure my family and friends understand my hours or my work but we are getting there. It is a huge adjustment and takes discipline and no bosses there or other workmates to motivate. Working from home isn't for everyone but I am loving it. Thanks for sharing Peter. Patricia Perth Australia
    • Peter from Blogging Mechanics says:
      Thank you Patricia for your comment. It is really big adjustment for everybody from the moment you start to work from home. I was entrepreneur all my life, so I didn't have bosses or so, but I was leaving home every morning. Now, for last 2 years I am working from home and in the beginning my family thought that I am available any moment. It was hard break through to get everybody to accept that I am busy at home. Good luck for you with this!
  27. Allie says:
    Your post hit it! I had to put myself on a schedule AND while I am working manditory breaks with my timer set to 1 hour with 15 min breaks to walk or move. I have gained weight. Argh! And I do still sneak out on Monday mornings to have coffee with friends, shhh, I'm working. And then #4! OMG! My friend calls me almost every morning! It is driving me crazy. I did tell her I was starting to work from home and won't be answering my phone as much anymore. But if I make the mistake of answering Monday morning, she thinks it is ok to call Tuesday or Wednesday, etc. If I don't answer, it's vm and then text.
    • Peter from Blogging Mechanics says:
      Thanks Allie for your comment. Yeah, it is extremely difficult to convince friends that because you are working for home it doesn't mean that you are free anytime. Now, I set my self a habit, that I create 2 hour time frame, where I do not do anything else, just working. And then I take 15 minute brake. It works super and I am very happy with my productivity.
  28. Dana says:
    The hardest part of working from home is to make the working environment. There are so many temptations.
  29. Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach says:
    You're sooo right regarding weight gain - that's why I try to carve out time every day to hit the gym (or at least pull myself out of my chair every half hour or so to just plain move). It's really critical you do this...your body can get quite stiff if not (and the pounds pour on!).
    • Peter from Blogging Mechanics says:
      Yeah, it is so true. You need to get out to do something, as otherwise so will gain weight inevitably. I have a special morning ritual for that. I do some exercise for about 60 min and I try to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day.
    • Isabel Rodrigues - Pro Blogger Journey says:
      Yeah so true quiet agree. Its very important to get into some physical activity if your working from home. Else be ready for a few kilos addition to your weight.
  30. Brian says:
    I actually have a whole different problem that has come about. I have ingrained it into my mind that home = work. Now it is literally impossible for me to get away from work unless I physically leave my place. I have talked to a few other work from home business owners that have fallen into this same problem. You have a guilt feeling anytime you are at home and not doing something productive for the company.
    • Peter from Blogging Mechanics says:
      I feel you man! For me it is the same, I am addictive to my work space at home.
  31. Mani Viswanathan says:
    All the points are pretty valid & we hv to face them in some way or the other. For the forth point, it's necessary to stop convincing them & in turn show them some big amt Cheques :-)
  32. Rick LaPoint says:
    I've been working at home for years, and your points are accurate. Now I don't eat, I close my office door, I force myself out into the real world, and I force myself self to do something until I'm in the mood to do something (then I go back and delete my first something :lol:) Once new habits are set, it all works out. Rick
  33. Rahul says:
    i just think writing to you before starting reading will be good , so i think your post will be great cause i do believe knowing essential points before starting working at home required surely (i will read now :)) ) ow, great honestly , i do agree with all the 4 points , that was so important , i mean specially the fact convincing the family you will be working at home , this is so weird i know but what you said was alright ,the examples were well chosen i do find the mood point great , being so ready will interfere on results for sure :) thank you for talking about this
    • Peter from Blogging Mechanics says:
      Thanks for your comment. As for you, for me the family question is the biggest challenge, as I love them extremely, so I do not want to upset them by saying that I am busy. But, what to do, this is life, so we need to organize ourselves in order to get ahead.

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