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Working From Home

By Jennifer Davies

Many are choosing to give up the business office world, for a home office. I happen to be one of those. If you’re considering making such a move, consider these advantages and its disadvantages.

Advantages….. You can delay personal hygiene as long as you’d like. While everyone else in your household is frantically fighting for the rights of the bathroom first thing in the a.m., you can relax and really savor your morning coffee. You can shower and brush your teeth at your leisure – on your morning break, lunch hour, afternoon break, or after work. Think about it. Who is going to complain about your body odor? Your dog? Not likely, he smells worse than you do. In fact, your lack of personal hygiene could invoke new feelings of camaraderie in your pets with their smelly, down-to-earth master. While the clients you’ll speak with on the phone or via email are picturing a well dressed, well-groomed professional, they won’t even have a clue that a slight whiff of your breath would cause the Jolly Green Giant to pass out. They’d have no reason to suspect that you’re still wearing your plain flannel pajamas. You’ll have need to justify the fact that the bad hair day you’re having is due to the fact that you haven’t even bothered to run a comb through it yet! Ah, the freedom.

And you can eat when you want. No need to pack a lunch. If you want to have a milkshake with scrambled eggs and bacon for lunch, then you go right ahead. Heck why not some garlic bread and cheese with that? Remember, nobody can smell your breath. The refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster, blender and food are just steps away, waiting for you, whenever you have the urge to make use of them. Ah, the freedom.

Now, many are opting to work at home to cut down on child-care costs, another great advantage. You certainly will save money and spend more time with your kids that you did when you were gone from 8:30 to 5:30. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a baby but if I remember correctly, since babies sleep all the time, you’re free to peacefully work all day! However, if you have older preschoolers, don’t expect this to be quality time. When my child was younger, I didn’t have the option of working at home. But still, even though I have no little ones at the moment, I think it’s fair to offer the following advice. Sit your preschoolers down and lay down the rules. “Mommy has to work now, so I’ll be in the office for the next four hours. While I’m in there, you can play, watch television and videos, make popcorn, listen to the stereo, and talk on the phone – but no long distance. Now, no fighting or I’ll take away your stereo privileges. Got it?” The kids will nod their heads. “Okay then, see you at lunchtime.” And you’ll be free to work for several hours while your preschoolers amuse themselves. Ah, the freedom.

Yes, working at home certainly has its advantages. No boss, no one to answer to, no one to pull you into the office to talk about how you ‘mistreated’ a client. You’re your own boss now. If you don’t like a client, you’re free to tell him to “Take a hike across the Sahara with no water, no sandals, no compass, no map and no moisturizer, Moron!” Or, “Take a flying leap out of a plane with a canvas parachute that’s been stored away in a moth-infested shed since World War One, Goofball!” You now have the freedom to spend a couple of days, like I did, thinking of creative ways to tell your clients where to do, when they tick you off. How about this one? “Take a walk to the store Pig Face, pick up some Pepto Bismal ‘cause you’re going to need it when you take this job and shove it down your throat!” Just think of the satisfaction of telling all of your clients that you disagree with exactly where to go and exactly how to get there. Ah, the freedom.

Come to think of it, there really are no disadvantages to working at home. So, if you’re thinking about doing it, just do it, like I did! Take my advice and benefit from my experience. It’s been two weeks and I haven’t looked back since.