I have worked from home since 1994 when AT&T shoved me there because of a mandate to reduce fuel consumption and increase employee productivity (frankly, I think it was to reduce overhead - but regardless it was a great mandate). You might think that I was elated, however I went kicking and screaming because back then all I had ever known was the cubicle world and there was “comfort” in this regiment. My old boss forced me out of the office and since then, it has been history.

So, if you have ever dreamed about working from home, it might be worthwhile to note that working from home isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Don’t get me wrong, I prefer working from home, but there may come a day when I have to pack up the home office and rent some space as my home isn’t practical for a staff of people.

As I sit in my home office, I’m reminded about the daily life of working from home and thought I’d share what are the biggest false ideas about working from home.

1. “I’ll become more productive because I don’t have any distractions surrounding me.” This could be true for some, others it isn’t so. While the morning cooler talk and fellow workers visiting is eliminated, there become a whole list of new distractions you might not consider. The TV, the dirty laundry pile, the children and the refrigerator. How disciplined are you today? Are you good at focusing on your tasks? If you are not very good at managing your time, what makes you think that moving home will improve that? The truth is, you are who you are, and whatever bad habits you have in the office you also bring home. That doesn’t me you can’t become better, but realize productivity doesn’t increase just because you’re home.

2. “I will have a difficult time meeting people because I won’t have an office to go to.” Recently when we moved to Colorado I didn’t know a soul. Going to an office would help me develop friendships and increase my social life, but there are other ways to do that when you work from home. Network, network, network. If you’re going to find people you need to look around. For example, visit Places2Network.com, Meetup.com, BNI or your local Chamber of Commerce (I recommend their “After Hours” events). If you want to work from home, you will need to find ways to meet others, it’s essential, not a luxury to find others who you can partner with to help you achieve success and bounce ideas off from time-to-time.

3. “All I’ll have to do is work JUST LIKE I work in an office today to be successful” No way. Your self-discipline will have to improve, you’ll have to work harder and longer and learn new skills to achieve the success you desire. The good news is that you can become MORE successful than you already are and accomplish the goals that you personally have set to achieve (isn’t that why you want to work from home anyway?)

4. “I’ll be able to spend more time with my family if I work from home” - Very true. In some cases TOO true. One of the greatest things I get to do is wake up, work out, eat some breakfast and see my son in the morning. He has become a pretty good sleeper and wakes up around 9:00 or so. If I had to go to an office, I’d wake up, workout, get ready and go, without seeing my son. However, when daddy is home, that means it’s also playtime ALL THE TIME. So one thing you have to learn is how to have boundaries. When I’m in my office, I’m working. If I come out and have lunch with my family, that’s free time. Make sure you establish some boundaries too.

5. “I’ll be able to take vacations when I want, for how long I want and as often as I’d like” Ah yes. Very true. But don’t count on it. When you work at home for yourself, you’ll also realize that you have to maintain a level of activity to achieve success. One thing that you must strive to achieve (not everyone who works from home does this), is residual income. If you work project-to-project, or get paid once per product sold - you will have to maintain that success with more activity. What does that mean for your free time? Certainly in the beginning (I say that can be several years), you might not be able to take a vacation - AT ALL. But after you’ve got a track record going and life is moving forward, yes - you can control your life. But please note - it is NOT going to be overnight.

Okay, myths addressed. Yes - I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love working from home. If you’re fortunate enough to work for a company that allows you to work from home, consider yourself lucky, it is GREAT practice if you do want to run your own business from home. If you aren’t able to yet - you might have to take the plunge - and if you’re prepared, it is a dream come true. Here is where I give some sage advice - the only way you’ll know if you can do it, is to do it.

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