I have seen a couple of posts lately talking about why people work from home. After all, it’s not all glamor and fun:-) It is hard work, especially running your own business.
There are probably a lot of reasons why people choose to work from home. Today, I thought I’d share mine with you.
I have had the freedom and flexibility to be there for my family. My daughter has had some struggles with anxiety and depression, and has probably needed more of my time now that when she was younger. I have been able to be there for her. When she needs to talk, my business waits.
I was able to be there with my dad, especially during the last year of his life, when he was quite confused and unhappy. Again, my business waited when he needed someone there with him.
Personally, I don’t like having my hours that I work dictated by someone else. I also want to do something that I really believe in and that is fulfilling.
I LOVE doing what I’m doing – helping others to find this same purpose, freedom and flexibility in their lives. I encourage others to start a business based on something they love and feel has value, and that will use the special gifts and skills God has given them.
Ok, your turn:-) Why do you work from home? Please share with your reasons with me!
I started working from home to have more time with my dd. I hated having to weigh “how sick is she?” against my vacation time. I love it because I can homeschool and have the freedom to schedule my working hours around my family. I have insomnia so I work a lot from 9pm to 11pm and 3am to 8am. How many employers would give you those hours? And how comfortable would you feel going out to work at that time of morning?
I decided to quit my school job and start a new business from home because I felt my children needed me to be at home with them. (I have two teens with Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome.) I also found that we had less time to devote to our faith’s activities and festivals (we are Messianic Jews). Working for myself gives me the flexibility to remain available for my family and my God. ^_^
Laurie,
My reasons for working from home are not nearly as noble. I work from home because I have no employees, and the additional income that would be necessary for me to generate just to pay for an office is not something that I am willing to incur now. There are also many great tax breaks gained by working from home.
It takes a lot of discipline to work from home. There are so many distractions. Even though I advise clients and write about these distractions all the time, it is still a daily struggle for me. I would much rather work from an office environment, but I certainly understand the appeal to those who choose to work from home.
Brad
Hi Brad,
I agree that there are a LOT of distractions when you work from home. My kids are grown, so it would be much harder if I was trying to work with young ones running around. Although my cute little dog does his best to distract me!
Everyone is different. I absolutely LOVE being able to work from home, although every once in a while, I do miss the co-worker contact.
Thanks for sharing with us.