Is Working at Home Right the Right Fit for You?

I received a couple email requests last week asking for advice about how to get started working at home. They didn’t ask for any specific advice, so unfortunately I was unable to offer really helpful guidance without additional information. One person’s path to starting a home-based business may be completely different from someone else’s.

Those questions did get me thinking about the fact that as wonderful as working at home is, it’s not for everyone. Advances in technology have made it easier than ever to telecommute and work from remote locations. You can reach out to a global market right from your kitchen table. The potential to earn an income working from home definitely exists, but is it right for you? Ask yourself these important questions:

What’s your work style?

Do you prefer having someone tell you exactly what needs to be done, or are you self-motivated and able to work independently? Do you like working alone, or prefer the company of others? After years of working in the company of others, some people are very surprised to experience feelings of isolation when they start working along from home.

Available Opportunities

Do you prefer direct sales of well-known brands like Avon or Mary Kay? Or would you rather sell your skills to clients/businesses as a freelancer or contract for hire worker? Keep in mind, even if a distributor supplies you with products, you have to market and promote them in order to make money.

Risk Tolerance

Are you willing to take a financial risk in order to start your own home-based business? Do you have a spouse’s income, or at least 18 months of savings to rely on if things don’t go as planned? Are you comfortable with the idea of scaling back your lifestyle if necessary for the short-term to reach your long-term goals?

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Are you willing to continue striving for personal and professional development? Do you understand that learning is a continuous process when you are self-employed? Are you willing and able to stay informed of constantly evolving trends in technology?

Your responses to these questions will help you determine whether or not running a business and working at home is the right fit for you.