Many have chosen to leave the traditional workplace in favor of something a little closer to home. In some case it now takes them a matter of thirty seconds to get to work where it used to take close to, or more than an hour!
The reasons to make the switch are as wide and varied as the people themselves, but below I’ve listed a few of the more popular ones in the hopes that they might help you with any future thoughts of striking out on your own.
Owning your own business
This is likely the most popular one with the work from home crowd. Building something of substance takes time, effort, and money, but in the end the results are often well worth it. There is something about working for yourself that turns what could be a chore into something that is actually enjoyable and for many the hours fly by where for many “employees” time seems to crawl along (especially on Mondays).
The Ability to Set Your Own Hours
Punching a clock that someone else sets isn’t always enjoyable. Often overtime comes at inopportune times and unless you feel like telling your boss you have something better to do, chances are you’ll cancel plans you might otherwise have enjoyed.
When you’re the boss you not only get to say how little or how much you’re going to work, but when those hours are going to be, and when the days off, and holidays will be given as well, no more working around seniority and settling for whichever dates are left on the calendar.
No More Commute
Commuting for most is a waste of time that could easily be spent either with family members, or even working. Two hours commuting and settling into work is not uncommon for people travelling to and from the workplace and that is time that could be spent building up something of your own.
There is also the financial consideration; no more commute means less vehicle operating costs or taxi fares. The accumulated savings over the course of a year could buy a person a very nice vacation.
Convenience
Have you ever gotten to work and realized you forgot your briefcase? Perhaps it was just your lunch even, but it still caused you inconvenience and unless you work fairly close to home, it likely wasn’t worth the drive back to retrieve the forgotten item.
Working from home allows you to accumulate all your office supplies, equipment, and materials in one place. Need a snack? There’s likely a fully stocked kitchen not too far from your new desk!
Family Matters
When you work from home and for yourself, things like family emergences are much easier to deal with. Have a child home from school with the flu? Not much of an issue since you’ll be close by to minister to them and comfort them while still getting most of your days’ work done.
Making the call to tell your boss you can’t come in because you’re not feeling well is bad enough, but when you’re also taking time off work due to a sick child, or children the loss of work and awkward phone calls can start to add up quite quickly.
Tax Benefits
Owning a business entitles you to many more tax breaks than you’d get from being merely an employee. The write offs you’d be able to take advantage of each year would be another potential financial reward you could take advantage of. The downside is you’d be responsible for paying a bookkeeper to look after your receipts and transactions as well as an accountant to ensure you’re maximizing all benefits that should be afforded to you.
An Asset
Over the years as you grow your business and invest in assets such as vehicles, computers, or other equipment, you’ll start to build equity into it. The business will hold value that can be leveraged against, or even sold should someone offer you a fair price and you actually want to sell out and either move onto something new, or perhaps retire if the time is right.
Many businesses get passed down to future generations ensuring that they too have stability and security. When you’re building your business remember to treat it like a business, and not like a hobby!
Many b
Making the decision to start your own business, and work from home isn’t something you should take lightly. While there are many advantages and benefits to owning your own business there are also short comings that might make it unsuitable for you and yours. The paycheck that comes in at the end of the month is one that you yourself are responsible for generating.
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About Warren
Hi Warren,
I couldn’t agree more with this list! I have had a small home business for years now and those are the reasons why I chose self employment over being employed. Though I have found that being self employed is not the same as being an entrepreneur and does not offer all of the benefits that I had hoped, so I am working to leave self employment to be a full time entrepreneur!
Stacy
Stacy@Blogging Tipss recent post ..A Letter to the Nervous Blogger Want-to-Be
Thanks Stacy, well you already know that you can leave employment to become self employed and now I’m sure you’ll have no problem leaving self employment to become a full time entrepreneur!
All the best of luck to you!
Working from home is great. I have been working from home for years now and I love it. The thing I love the most is the fact that I only need my computer and internet to make a living.
Adam@Earn Money Onlines recent post ..4 Places To Make More Money As A Freelancer
I think for me the biggest attraction that came with starting an online business was being able to work from anywhere I wanted. My bedroom, my home office, a coffee shop, holidays (yeah I’m sad, but I still work when I’m on holidays LOL), and even Mexico if I ever decide to head south!
Whenever you and your fiance want to head south just let me know, I would be happy to show you what Mexico has to offer.
Adam@Earn Money Onlines recent post ..4 Places To Make More Money As A Freelancer
I’m just starting out as a WAHM and looking forward to what I will be doing. I’m a single mum, and also have a full-time job. The reason for me is I have always wanted my own coffee shop and I need the funds to do it. I know it’s going to be a long journey with many ups and downs, but it has to begin somewhere and now is the time.
Hi Warren,
I think all of the reasons you mention are important, but to me personally, the most important part is to be in control and do what I’m passionate about, when and where I want to work. Working from home is awesome
Jens P. Bergets recent post ..It’s not over when you think it’s over
Hey Jens, you’re the second person (well first of two people) who mentioned control.
I should have added that in, but honestly never even thought about it. Good point!
Hi Warren,
You’ve put a good list together there mate. I started working from home after a back injury stopped me working in my previous field of employment. I had to re-train and couldn’t get any assistance with that. Even the local college tried mugging me off and putting me on different course to the one i asked for.
Working for myself is great as I get to work when I want and not when the boss tells me. In my previous job i was often working long hours that the job dictated to me…. ie it had to be finished before I could leave.
Working from home can be a pain though as people tend to think they can pop round as when it suits them as I’m at home, but what they should be thinking is that I’m at work.
Even family members think its OK to interrupt when we work from home which is why on occasion I have to work late
Next step is to get a laptop and hide in the back garden
Take care mate,
Barry
Barry Wellss recent post ..Developing Alliances and Friendships With Other Bloggers
Hi Warren,
You list contains all the reason why I became self employed. The joy of working for yourself is very different than joy of having a good job. Even if you have a dream job that you enjoy and gives you a good salary at the end of the month. The wonder thing about working for yourself is that you are in total control and you can use or own creativity and ideas.
If I have to choose working at the office or at home, I rather be at home. I know this is more applicable to moms that are still watching over their kids. But I think fathers can work at home too. It is more easier and we can save more if we’re at home working.
Armands recent post ..Happy New Year To All Of You And Hope You Like The Aquarium Fish Photos Here …
Hi Warren, there are so many awesome pointers for working for yourself. I had an offline business for the better part of 16 years before I started online. I just couldn’t see myself working for someone else to be honest ….Not saying there’s anything wrong with that… but I have doubts as to whether I am actually employable now!
All the other pointers as far as Tax write offs, etc are awesome. My main reason was to come home to the kids before I missed out on their growth.
Lovely encouraging post.
Jayne
Jayne Kopps recent post ..The Law of Attraction | It’s Working For You… Like It or Not!
Hi Jayne, always nice to see you!
I couldn’t have put it better myself. The Unemployable!
I’m pretty sure I fall into this group myself now after being fully online for 2 years now. Loving it still!
Hi Warren,
I would love to work from home full time and will hopefully be able to do so by the end of the year. I am fortunate that I am able to work from home occasionally now. This comes in really handy if my daughter is ill, or I have someone coming to make repairs. I love being in charge of my own time. It’s not all fun and games though. One must be disciplined to be able to work from home successfully. Also working from home may not be for those who enjoy being about people most of the time. Ultimately, I think the benefits outweigh the possible issue. Looking forward to the day when I will work from home full time!
Jamellas recent post ..A Gratitude Journal For Me
Timely post for a lot people these days, Warren. I never made for a good employee, but have always fared well working for myself. I agree with all the benefits you list that come with working from home. One big downside of working for yourself though is that YOU will have provide the structure and discipline for your work. And that could be a challenge for a lot of people. Nothing that can’t be overcome, of course.
Srinivas Reddy@Problem Solving Stepss recent post ..Problem Solving Steps
Hey Srinivas I suppose I could do a negative or opposite post about the pitfalls of working from home. Things like lack of interaction with other people are something I notice (don’t mind, but notice), no health benefits unless you work out something on your own, or your spouse has a plan, the potential for distraction (tv, games, etc).
I suppose at the end of the day those who want it will find a way to do it and those who don’t will continue working for someone else. As long as you’re happy doing what you do, I guess that is all that counts!
Warren, all of the reasons you stated here is my reason for working from home. I love it!
Tishas recent post ..10 Facts to Make the Law of Attraction Work for You-Stop the Time Delay Today
And that’s half the battle! Loving what we do!
There are certainly many advantages of having a home based business but there are a lot of distractions that could lead to lower productivity. For me it’s better to work from an office (if possible not in your house) that will actually make you feel that you are a professional and not work in your pizamas…
Kostas@Generate Incomes recent post ..A Fresh Look at Email Marketing for Business: The Influence of Social Networking
Hey Kostas, and I was the exact opposite. I found I was being pulled in too many different directions when I was in the workplace, and while I got a lot done, it wasn’t all my work. I’m much more productive now than I ever was (because it’s mine).
The pajama thing though is true I’m sad to say, and I’ve started to notice it lately! LOL I had someone come to the house at 1:00 in the afternoon and I was still in my PJ’s. To be fair I’d been working since 5:30 am, but still…
Great post Warren:) I’ve been working from home now for nearly 8 years! Although during that time one of my businesses was so successful that I had to move into offices with my staff (I sold that business nearly 2.5 years ago).
I love working from home and initially left the corporate commuting world after I had my daughter. I feel very privileged to be able to work from home and try hard not to take it for granted that I’m able to do this and earn a good income. But it does take time and I work incredibly hard and rarely have “me time”. It’s the price I pay but I think it’s worth it.
Lilach Bullocks recent post ..Facebook Timeline Becomes Mandatory
You’re work from home time sounds a lot like my own (as I write this at 5:00 am LOL). Congrats on the sale of the business. You know your getting successful when you have to start hiring staff and renting out offices!
I wish you nothing but the best for 2012!
Hi Warren,
That’s a good list of reasons to have your own business. I’ve had a few, and I’ve always had a regular job at the same time. Some were very successful, and some weren’t. The ones that were unsuccessful made me glad to have a regular job. Successful ones haven’t quite got me to go full time yet, but I’m retiring soon, so that could change.
Lou
Lou Barba@informationhighwaycardandgiftshop.coms recent post ..Are You My Mother?