Just Because I Work From Home Doesn’t Mean I Don’t Work
When people hear that I work from home, they often assume that I have a lot of free time and an easygoing lifestyle. But let me tell you, working from home doesn’t mean I don’t work. In fact, it requires just as much dedication, discipline, and effort as any other job. And anytime I take a trip, whether it is to visit someplace local or to spend time with my girls, my laptop travels wherever I go. There are so many times on my trips in the last few years that I have gotten up early before we head out for the day to make sure that anything pressing that has inbox can be taken care of before I start my day. The bottom line is If I don’t work, I don’t get paid. I don’t have paid time off, sick leave or vacation, or PTO time to use if something happens. So that With said, here are some things you should know about my work-from-home experience:
1. Structure and routine are crucial: Even though I have the freedom to set my own schedule, I still need structure to be productive. Establishing a routine helps me stay focused and ensures that my work gets done in a timely manner. Just like in an office setting, there are deadlines and deliverables that require commitment and organization. And yes, there are sometimes when I can work away from the blog cabin, but it still requires me to have wifi, and sometimes I have to use my hotspot on my phone. But if phone service is shotty, then I am up a creek.
2. Distractions can be challenging: While working from home offers many perks, it also comes with its fair share of distractions. Household chores, family members or pets seeking attention, and tempting leisure activities can easily lure me away from my work tasks. It takes self-discipline to minimize distractions and maintain focus on the job at hand. These distractions are hard for me because there is no bathroom in the blog cabin, and when I drink a lot of water, I have to take several trips inside, and I can easily be distracted by the cuties inside.
3. Communication is key: Working remotely doesn’t mean working in isolation. Effective communication with clients, colleagues, or supervisors is vital for successful collaboration and project completion. Tools like emails, instant messaging platforms, video conferencing software, and phone calls help bridge the physical distance between team members. And running my own company, I am also the bookkeeper, social media manager, accounts payable, receivable, mail person, and more.
4. Self-motivation is essential: Without a boss or supervisor watching over me constantly, self-motivation becomes crucial to keep myself on track. While there may not be anyone physically present to hold me accountable for my work progress, I take responsibility for meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations. And that is something that most people don’t understand. They think I sit at home all day and do nothing. Just the other day, I was asked by a relative what it is I actually do. This after 15 years or more doing this. Show how much attention is paid to what I do.
5. A dedicated workspace is important: To create an environment conducive to productivity, having a designated workspace is vital. Whether it’s a separate room or just a specific area in your home dedicated solely to work-related tasks, having a place that separates work from personal life helps in maintaining focus and minimizing distractions. This is one of the reasons I purchased the blog cabin– because I knew that when I come outside to a space that is all mine that the distractions would be minimal. Well, sometimes not so much because I did up making a sign with the word stop on it for my door, and I also had to learn to put my phone on do not disturb mode.
6. Work-life balance still matters: Just because I work from home doesn’t mean I’m available 24/7. It’s crucial to establish boundaries between work and personal life. Setting specific working hours and taking breaks away from the workspace allows me to maintain a healthy work-life balance. But it also means that if I have deadlines for projects I have to get done that they need to be met before anything else. So the same thing goes the other way. I am not available 24/7 to run your errands for you as well.
Working for myself and from home is hard. Sure, I don’t have a boss, but I also get paid time off because if I don’t work, I don’t get paid. There is no sick leave or anything, and no support staff. It is just little old me behind the keyboard crafting not only the posts you read on this blog but also freelance stuff as well. The bottom line is my company depends on me. Just because I work from home doesn’t mean that my job is any less important than yours.
In fact, working from home and for myself might be the hardest job I ever had because most people think just because you work from home, you don’t really work.
Working from home has its advantages, including increased flexibility and comfort. But let’s not forget that it requires discipline, dedication, and a strong work ethic. So next time you hear someone say they work from home, remember that they may actually be working just as hard – if not harder – than those in traditional office settings.
