Why working from home is a bad idea?

[joefredriks21]

I'll get straight to the point and my question. If someone who reads this knows where I'm at, I hope they can help shed some light on it for me.

In the past three years I've started 2 businesses. The first, a web design and development company, I sold, for a modest profit in order to focus on the second. After a falling out with my business partner and as a minor shareholder in the company, I was forced to decide on a new path. So for now, I hold on to my shares and wait for dividends.

Which brings to to this past year. With my many business contacts I found a nice handful of contract consulting work. It has kept my fairly busy and paid me well.

However, working from home isnt all it's cracked up to be.

My best guess is that lack of social interaction is starting to get the best of me. Or something else?

At any rate, something just isn't quite right...

Any ideas?

Joe.

[SeriousKidding.com]

You can work online to find your niche, as I am doing up to 10 hours a day, but you can be as socially interactive as you want. I break up my day by riding my bike downtown for coffee, hob-nobbing, whatever in the heck I want to do. I play guitar in a band, I see friends, watch sports, play sports, do minimal travel, and I have plenty of time to pursue my dreams and my offline life. It can be done. It has to.

[Trina]

My husbands biggest problem when he works from home is the fact that he has a wife that can't seem to leave him alone no matter how hard she tries. LMAO. I hope you can find your niche. It would be very weird for me to work from home because I have a hard time detaching myself from things like the bills, housework, cats, husband, etc when I am sitting at home.

[judge45]

Read your own post, the answer lies within it.

You're best guess is correct.

HTH

Jeff

[SeriousKidding.com]

I've got a wife, son and a menagerie of 4 dogs (2 old Yorkies and two Shih Tzu pups). They make SURE I'm a social being!

[joefredriks21]

Over the past few years of business I think I said no too many times to outside of work activities....as most people try to do as they get busier and busier.

Now, it seems, I should be doing the opposite.

[Elenny]

If you miss the human aspect of the office, rent some office space outside of your home. You still get to do what you love or whatever you want, but have that human interaction around you all the time.

Most cities have office buildings that look like one big corporation, but it's actually a large group of individual entrepreneurs in small offices and cubicles. They share the copier, the watercooler, the internet connection, the receptionist, the break room, etc. For some people that might be a fun and cost-effective alternative to renting a whole office to yourself. Something to consider.

[da1prophet]

Originally Posted by Elenny

If you miss the human aspect of the office, rent some office space outside of your home. You still get to do what you love or whatever you want, but have that human interaction around you all the time.

Most cities have office buildings that look like one big corporation, but it's actually a large group of individual entrepreneurs in small offices and cubicles. They share the copier, the watercooler, the internet connection, the receptionist, the break room, etc. For some people that might be a fun and cost-effective alternative to renting a whole office to yourself. Something to consider.

I spend a lot of my time working at local espresso cafes or other places with wireless Internet. If you miss social interaction that's a great way to get it. The good thing about working at home is you can get social interaction on *your* terms--minus the fake camaraderie, office politics and other BS of a traditional work setting. I can always go out and get social interaction when I want it, meet friends for lunch on my schedule, take time off for whatever reason, etc. The only co-workers I have to deal with in my home office is my two dogs, and my commute is about 100 feet from my bedroom to my office.

In other words, you'd have to drag me kicking and screaming back into a traditional office...

[RT Wolf]

Join clubs and organizations for people in your industry. Start volunteering your time, which feels nice, too. If you've taken a reactive approach to your social life (just taking whoever shows up as a friend) then this is the time to take control and make supportive and great friends.

Depending on what kind of consulting work you do, maybe you could increase the time you spend with client companies?

HTH.

[Dani]

Lots of people work a 'social' job that they hate, with people they don't like. I would rather be alone than surrounded by people I don't like doing something I hate.

I wouldn't be too worried that you aren't gettign enough social exposure, because you can remedy that easily enough.

Stand up, and go outside.

[joefredriks21]

Thanks for your thoughts and insights.