Working at Home is a Love Hate Thing…
Well, maybe “hate” is too strong of a word.
But here are the things I L-O-V-E about working from home, and the things that kind of suck.
I Love:
- Being able to follow my dreams in my own business
- Having so much extra time with my kids when they are little
- Finding so many ways to add value to people’s lives through my business
- Setting aside time every week to take the kids to the farmer’s market, the library, the pool in the summertime and sledding in the wintertime
- Being able to go boating frequently because I don’t need my weekends to get caught up on “life stuff”
- The ability to meet my husband for lunch whenever I darn well feel like it
- Getting the chance to get to know so many other work at home professionals who I learn from every day
- Actually having a schedule that allows for sick kids, soccer games, and a quick trip to Target just for fun (I would marry Target if it were a man!)
- Having time to volunteer for CIMA events and projects
- Being able to transform two prior business letdowns into a really wonderful gift for others
I really don’t love:
- Tracking business expenses. Boring!
- Business taxes. Just the thought makes me feel guilty, even though I haven’t done anything wrong!
- Not socializing and networking in person with other adults on a regular basis
- Cash flow - and lack of it at times
- Dealing with technical issues. I want to write and promote, dammit!
- Having to tell my kids I’m too busy to play with them right now
- Having to work on a big project in a house that is messy at times. I can’t focus!
- Kids fighting in the background when I am on the phone with an important person
- Not getting into downtown Chicago very much anymore (I love downtown!)
- Getting sucked into reading too many blogs when I need to be working!
But it’s ALL worth it because:
- My kids hands down prefer that I am here with them rather than being in school/daycare (and they really like school and daycare!!)
- I am making a difference in people’s lives with the content I am writing and the coaching/mentoring I am doing
- I am finally doing the job/career I was put on this earth to do
- My husband and I have a great relationship that I have more time to enjoy
- I get to hug, tickle, laugh with and hug my kids whenever I want (did I mention hug?)
- I have the time to take on projects that contribute to the communities I participate in
- I have more balance in my life than I have ever experienced before
- Every career move I have made, every mistake I have made, and every problem I have had in the past are now all of my most valuable assets and I cherish them
- My life is in line with my highest purpose, which took a l-o-n-g time to build up the courage to do
- I am in a position to help others do exactly the same thing!
Explore posts in the same categories: Success Thinking, Work + Kids, Work Life Balance
August 9th, 2006 at 10:16 am
I have been working at home for more than 11 years, which has giving me the opportunities to see my kids grow up. Although sometimes I wish I had a normal job and get away for at least 4 hours. The rest has been a blessing. My family is really close, so I guess it has all been worth it.
August 9th, 2006 at 3:01 pm
Yecy - I know! I have to say I do love getting out of the house, and I do love the professional challenges in an out-of-house career. But you’re right - finding the value in our decisions is a great thing to do!