Ironically, 9 times out of 10, they are the ones who initiated a conversation with me.
Anyway, what better place could there be to address their attempts to knock me than a blog about frugal resources and additional, free to start, legitimate work-at-home opportunities?
First of all, I'd like to point out that I am a freelancer that literally lives out in the boonies. If it weren't for the internet, I wouldn't be able to get as much work (if any). Being online IS part of my job.
What makes my work situation inferior to someone who punches in 9-5 or works their butt off doing construction? Nothing. As long as I pay my bills and provide for my family, aren't I just like everyone else?
What makes my work situation harder? My advertising, marketing, customer service, file clerk, cleaning crew, boss, employees and receptionist are all one person. Me. I am everyone and everything.
Let me tell you, working out of a home office is both a blessing and a curse. I'll leave the positive list to your imagination and talk about the downside.
- People assume you are available and willing to work 24/7/365 and get mad if you try to set time boundaries. "You are right there, your work is right there. So what's the big deal? It'll just take 5-10 minutes then you can get back to your kid."
- Others interrupt your day just to chat because they think you aren't doing anything. Here they are at their job, interacting on Facebook/Twitter/MySpace/etc., while you are putting together tech training classes, restructuring networks, remotely troubleshooting systems and working on website code.
- The temptation to "just finish this last piece" because it should only take 5 minutes often leads to being a workaholic and burn-out. In your own home. It can get to where you don't even want to be in your own house!
- You frequently have to schedule meetings or other events around others' schedules. For me, it means unpredictable scheduling and some looong days. Someone may be available before 7am Eastern, someone else after 10pm Pacific. I'm Central. You do the math.
Your work can become your life under "normal" conditions. Imagine how that is when your life and your work share the same space. Imagine being the company. Just you. I know my self-employeds out there hear me.
Wishing you much peace, happiness and success,
Ha...ain't THAT the truth!! I remember those days well. The office never closes....and if it does, the work goes with you. I remember one time I took off a week and drove to California. I ordered stone for a job while on the interstate and did payroll in my motel room.
ReplyDeleteWow. I've had my experiences but that's what I call multitasking! =)
ReplyDeleteNow that you mention it, I forgot about the business line ringing on personal time and the guilt over not picking it up ... lol
Does that tendency to overwork ever go away though? I've noticed some "retired" folks still out there toiling away. By choice, no less.
I hear ya! Fortunately I was able to develop a number of strategies over the years that did away with all those problems. It took a little while but I got there.
ReplyDeleteI would highly recommend picking up a copy of The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. Amazing life-changing book, especially for the self-employed (but is applicable across the board).