Working From Home: Yes, You Can

by: Carol Bryant

"You work from home, that must be really fun and easy," is a quote I hear from time to time, and I am the recipient. BlogPaws' co-founder, Yvonne DiVita, penned a very interesting and conversation-ensuing blog post recently titled, "Home Office or No Office." As a follow-up to that post and because many bloggers/writers work from a virtual environment (or strive for this), allow some of my nearly 10 years of virtual trench experience guide your way.

Since 2002, I have been a proud card-carrying member of the home-based workforce. The journey has been a rollercoaster, but one I  would not trade for all the shoes in Miranda Priestly’s walk-in closet (reference: The Devil Wears Prada). In fact, I wish I knew someone like the me I am now way back then when I started my home-based career. I decided to interview myself as someone who has been there and done that. This article will highlight questions I had when I first explored the idea of working from home. Oh, and I switched careers because I was miserable, and I won't go there again: Life is short.

Q: What are some key questions I should ask myself when I am considering working from home?

A: Am I going to work for a company as an employee, as an independent contractor, do I know what type of business I should form (LLC, for example), how will I get paid, who will do my taxes, and what is my business plan? These are just a few to get started. I went into this a bit naive and quickly learned that working from home is as involved as working outside of it. Do your research.

Q: You take a lot of breaks and can do chores and answer the phone whenever friends call and need something, right?

A: Quite the contrary. I have a lot of home-based friends who are both employees and Independent Contractors, a few who even own their own business. Working from a home office takes discipline. I set a schedule, I generally follow it, and allow myself timed breaks and lunches. A work hazard has become easy access to my office, so not allowing myself to get sucked into the "drift" (as was talked about on the BlogPaws community recently) is elemental to my mental well being. I give my work the same respect someone working outside the home gives theirs.

Q: How do I combat the sense of isolation I am feeling during my working hours?

A: If you have the financial and emotional resources to do so, adopt a dog or cat from your local shelter. One of the biggest disappointments my office-based counterparts complain about goes something like “I wish I could get a ____ (fill in the pet) but it just wouldn’t fair to the animal. I work all day and wouldn’t want to leave a pet alone.” This is yet another perk of working virtually. Your pet will have a buddy and so will you. Statistically, people who own pets feel less stressed and less lonely. We know this.

Q: Are there any "rules" I might find helpful to apply to working from home and being successful?

Home-Based Working Rules to Set Early On

Dress for Success: Would you drive to work wearing a cute nightshirt and spend 9-5 in the same? Of course not. So establish a habit of not working in your jammies. If you dress for success, you’ll feel more professional. At the very least, get dressed. 

Get Involved Year-Round: Did you know BlogPaws is not only a yearly conference but also a year-round social media force and media company? Do you miss the feeling of being with your friends and associates at BlogPaws conferences? Stay connected in the Community. If you've never been to a BlogPaws conference, the community is the best place to get involved. Oh, and it's free. I just learned about protecting my blog's photos from a discussion there yesterday.

Separate Not Equal: Keep a home office separate from the rest of your abode if at all possible.

Unchain Yourself: DVTs (deep venous thrombosis) aka blood clots are a leading cause of death in those with sedentary lifestyles. Get up and move about. There’s no invisible chain keeping you tethered to the desk.

Reach Out and Touch Someone: Have contact with people outside your home, join a book club, visit family, call an old friend for a power walk. Work from home does not mean never leave your home.

Never Stop Learning: Keep up with trends, changes, and educational advancements in your field of choice. You’re never too old to learn.

What Part of No Don’t You Understand: Inform family and friends of your hours, that working from home is the same as working in a real office. Ask that they respect your wishes.

Have a Plan: Make a schedule of your day, hour by hour. Work a lunch break in and plenty of stretch breaks. Stick to it. Would you fold laundry at the office in town? Probably not, so don’t let household chores interfere. 

Sit up Straight: Do an ergonomic assessment of your work station and be sure you are seated properly to avoid health problems that come with sitting and typing (i.e. carpal tunnel syndrome)

For me, it doesn't matter where a person works. If they are quality, dedicated, and get the job done, location is not as important as it was in say, the days of Don Draper (reference: Mad Men). Of course, if you are a surgeon, I would think that's not an ideal virtual career, but the way the world is moving, one never knows.