The idea of working from a home office sounds very appealing to many people. When you work from home, you never have to get out of your pajamas! You can lie in bed while you conduct important business transactions! You can cook and clean while you're trying to work! Sound about right? Maybe not.
Ask anyone who currently works from home, and they will most likely tell you that a home office absolutely has its benefits. But, it also has its negatives. For example, it's not always easy to stay motivated while trying to work from home. Additionally, a home office is a breeding ground for distractions. Being successful working from home can take quite a bit of motivation. But for those who can make it work, a home office can be an excellent choice.
If you are considering transitioning from a traditional work environment in an office building to a home office, don't forget to evaluate these pros and cons of working from home:
Pros:
- There is no dress code
- You don't have to worry about fighting rush hour traffic
- Your boss is not able to watch every move you make
- If you want a snack or lunch, your kitchen is only a few steps away
- You might have a certain amount of flexibility with your schedule
- If you have children living at home, you might be able to spend more time with them
- If you are self-employed, you don't have to pay rent for an out-of-home office
- You may be eligible for a tax deduction for your home office space
- It's possible to decorate your home office space any way you choose
Cons:
- When you're at home all day, it can be easy to get distracted by regular household duties (such as laundry and dirty dishes in the sink)
- It's easy to feel isolated when you are home all day
- You may feel pressure to work at night, because you can see work sitting in on your desk
- Your house might be overrun with paper and work-related equipment
- You lose the benefit of working collaboratively with co-workers in person
- If you are not ultra-motivated, you might not get enough work done each day
- When you work from home, it can be tempting to sleep late
- It's easy to slack off when you don't have a boss keeping track of your work hours
Reasons to Work From Home
If you want to work from home because you are given the opportunity by your employer, or if you are a self-employed person who can work anywhere you want, consider yourself lucky if you have a choice on where to complete your daily work duties. But, no matter what anyone says, working from home is not easy for everyone. And, not everyone is cut out for working in such a lax environment. If you are considering whether an in-home office is right for you, make sure to contemplate all of the pros and cons. Ultimately, you should make a decision based on the set-up of your house, your personality, your work ethic, and how you feel about being in your own home for so many hours each day. Working from home can be a great opportunity for many!
