Workplace: Home Office Pros and Cons

Working at home can be liberating. You set your own schedule. You take the projects and clients that appeal to you. And with the advancement of technology and the internet, the convenience factor, and the low start up costs, the prevalence of home-based businesses is on the rise. No more capricious bosses, no more office politics, and no more commuting — you set your own schedule and get to conduct conference calls with high-level executives while still wearing your PJ’s and bunny slippers — to say nothing of any additional savings in taxes, benefits, child care, and other work-related expenses….

That’s the dream. But working at home can also be challenging and isolating– it’s not for everyone. With the move from the corporate world to the home-based, couples are waking up to find a new set of problems: shared office space, shared computer, shared duties, shared responsibilities — shared everything — and that’s when problems can start. For instance, it’s hard to concentrate on writing a presentation proposal while listening to one end of a phone conversation. Equally, it’s hard to concentrate on the telephone conversation while someone is huffing and puffing and shuffling about. Solution? Separate office spaces, or separate office hours.

The most important home office tool is communication. Without it, small annoyances and differences can fester and grow into major problems. Don’t expect your spouse to read your mind. If you have a problem, discuss it immediately. Do not wait. Do not let an irritation build into anger that is transferred to your personal relationship. Keep the marriage and business separate — it is key to the survival of the two.

Equally, it’s often the case that friends and family don’t seem to understand that you’re actually working, like they would if you were at an office, and so, you’re dropped in on. You’re called all day long. You’re expected to be available. But this can be the least of your problems. Assuming you’ve got the self-motivation, scheduling, and relentless self-promotion parts down, there’s still the loneliness that sets in. You are, after all, missing out on a very big social circle. No gossiping at the water cooler for you.

Being a successful — and happy — home worker take some doing. Letting people know the hours you’re available for social visits and calls is one step. And another is making sure you take measures to socialize. Joining groups, like gyms or book clubs is key. They even have specific groups just for people who work from home. Seek them out, stay connected to the world outside your home, and keep plugging away. Okay, and get out of your pajamas, too…it’s not exactly great for your state-of-mind.