I’ve been a seasoned home-worker for quite a while now. When I first started doing my work from home, many of my friends asked me why I am doing so. As we all are so used to of going to work every morning that for most of my friends it seemed weird that I simply get out of bed, go to my small home office, and start working. Since, I’ve always loved sharing my personal experience with you all, so with this article I’ll be telling you how I benefited from working at home and why I prefer doing so.
Work From Home
1. Personal freedom
From the time when I started working from home, I felt that I’ve control over my life for the first time. You are your own boss. There are no rigid schedules, no time clocks, and no corporate culture. Yes, it takes discipline as well as good time management, but once you achieve this balance, then trust me you wouldn’t change it for the world. You get the flexibility and freedom to manage both your work life and your personal life.
2. Financial benefits
I am not talking about transportation expenses or the commute time, nor am I talking about my shopping expenses now that I can do my work in casuals if I want to instead of the formal office attire. Here, I am talking about the fact that now I don’t worry about promotions and incentives because everything I earn, I earn for myself. I save more money, I can afford to increase my budget when needed moreover I’ve more money for other luxuries and needs.
3. Tax benefits
When your home becomes your place of work, you enjoy many tax benefits and it’s something which most people don’t realize immediately. If your home office meets all the set requirements then you can deduct a portion of the depreciation, real estate taxes, mortgage payment, insurance, rent, utilities, repairs etc. This deductible amount depends on the percentage of home used for business.
4. Increase in productivity
To start your own business is incredibly satisfying and to see your business succeed is every businessman’s dream. You will realize that your enthusiasm level for work will only rise because you’re the one responsible for its success. I worked at my convenience as when I used to spend entire nights working to finish a particular job perfectly, I could then afford to sleep till late to rejuvenate myself. I handle most things with clients through online video conferencing or phone. Why waste time running to and fro between meetings? This allows me to entertain more projects and also makes my task easier.
5. More aware of your competences
Like many others, when you’re at a workplace, you find yourself boxed at one place. It becomes difficult to undertake extra responsibility. But since I work from home, I wear a lot of different hats. I am more aware of what I am good at as well as what needs work. Due to my flexible schedule, I learn more things which help increase the quality and amount of my service. I have noticed a personal growth in myself ever since I started working from home.
6. Lesser stress
Since you’re responsible for your business, this may well seem counterintuitive for some. What’s the number one stress factor when working at an office: Having to answer the Person above you. But when you are working from home, there is no demanding boss, no deadlines imposed, no problematic co-worker around and no office politics. If I want to work till late – I can. If I want to take care of some household work or take a few hours off – I don’t need to ask anyone. I stick to a schedule which suits me the best and/or deadlines set by my clients. Yes, all you need is good time management skills.
Make sure you setup a home office
First and the foremost thing you need when you are thinking of working from home is to make sure that you setup a home office. Well, when I first begin working from home, I used to sit on my kitchen table with my laptop. But, it didn’t take me long to realize that I was being distracted continuously as it felt as if I was lounging at home and not like I was working. Having a work desk and a separate computer gives a professional environment which keeps you focused and makes you conscious of the fact that you’re here to work not relax.
Need to remain active
Most people who fear working on their own do so because they are not sure if they’d get clients. Let’s face it: Clients won’t line up around you immediately after you start off your own home business. So the best way to go about is to sign up at Elance.com. Using this global online employment platform, you can go through the jobs available there: whether you’re a content writer or a software programmer, a graphic designer or you provide administrative support. So, if you stick to your goals, you will achieve what you want.
