Although not as dramatic as the title may imply, working at home can in fact have several negative and positive things in store for you.  As with anything that requires an important decision, one should always weigh the options of something like this.  Working from home has its pros and its cons, and in some ways can be a life changing experience.  It all depends on how you apply your goals and abilities to your current situation and how you respond to every obstacle you are faced with.  Life isn’t always easy, but being prepared can help you further than you know.

PROS

• Working at home gives a great opportunity for additional tax deductions.  Phone bills, internet, computer, printer, office supplies, etc. are just to name a few.
• More people have a lower stress level because when a person works from the comfort of their home, they feel better and can deal with things in a more relaxing manner.
• You can save money on gas by eliminating the everyday commute you would normally travel.
• A really important reason why people may seek work at home opportunities is having more time for their family.
• Having free range of wardrobe is another great thing.  You can wear whatever you want, even your cute pajamas with the bunny slippers!
• Your hours can be flexible.  You can work as long or as short as you want and usually any time of the day (as long as you get your work done).
• Your food is waiting for you in your kitchen, not in a questionable refrigerator where you don’t know if someone has decided to taste test it for themselves.

CONS

• Slacking can occur and lack of personal motivation can set in because without much feedback, you have to be able to work on your own.  Try setting simple goals for yourself and setting aside a little treat if you complete them each week.
• Another thing that can set in is loneliness.  Those conference meetings, collaborations, cubicle banter and break room gossip are no longer, so keep yourself busy with things besides your work.
• Although one of the pros was being able to see your family more, to ensure a healthy transition, be prepared to work on having more patience, planning, self discipline and even a set of earplugs!
• The self discipline comes in now: just because you work at home doesn’t mean your money will come to you more easily.  You have to still dedicate time and effort to it just as you would for any other job outside the home.  That being said, you have to work to make money, even from home.
• It may be difficult to juggle work assignments with home chores, so expect the first few weeks (or maybe even longer) to have a disaster area surrounding your work area!  That may leak into your entire house; just learn to control that by tidying up when you have the time to do so.

Every person is different and with that being said, this article is meant to act as information to educate and prepare you so that you can decide for yourself if working at home is the right choice for you.  Jobs from home aren’t for everyone.  Keep these pros and cons in mind when thinking if a job from home is the right fit for you.