The Good, Bad and Ugly of a Home Office

Working from home has afforded me the gift and opportunity of making memories as well as home educating my three children. It also accommodates the variable of my health. (An unpredictable adventure since I was treated for ovarian cancer.)

I continue to consider my options for salaried work, and almost returned to graduate school to complete my MBA. However, after much thought and consideration, I remain in my home office. (Said corner office hosts a spectacular view of my gardens!)

Working from home requires self-discipline, planning and a vision. But what about the other details regarding this decision? Details such as one’s core values, financial needs, level of training and personal wellness.

A home office works for me due to my goals and core values (and being physically unable to sustain an assigned work schedule).

But it is not without …

The Good:

• flexible schedule
• lunch in my gardens
• liberty to nap, stretch and exercise
• share an office with my canine kids
• being my own boss (also refer to The Ugly!)
• ability to consult with online social network “co-workers”

The Bad:

• unpredictable income
• “home” and “office” schedule conflicts
• difficult to conclude a work day; plague with “one more thing”
• people assume since you are home — you are not at-work
• since you are home you assume you are not at-work!

The Ugly:

• being your own boss
• clutter in my dining room when I am working on a project
• must choose between work and the serendipity of family time
• ability to get lost in chats with online social network “co-workers”

Consider your life goals. A home office could be a way to bridge where you are now and where you want to be. I may not work from home forever, but for now, it is a “suite deal” that affords me to continue in the direction of my dreams!