I'm a rare breed around here. I don't run into very many work-at-home people. The other day, when I was juggling some workout times, and mentioned that I might get a nap in later, my trainer asked me "Don't you work?" Truth is, the night before, I'd worked until midnight. I was inspired, and it's just so quiet then, anyway. Instead of telling him my life story, though, I simply told him that I work when I choose.
This life is very deadline driven. You will see me buckling down to regular daytime hours before a project is due. But, in between, you will see me volunteering in the Kindergarten and working out in the late afternoons. Perhaps people see this and place me in a certain demographic. I'm categorized as a stay-at-home mom, or just another of the hordes of laid-off autoworkers around here. I suppose it doesn't matter what people think. In reality, I write and edit when I have clarity, inspiration, total silence or a looming deadline! The in-between times are often spent waiting on freelancers, translators, or research materials. Right now I have two clients that are Fed Ex-ing galleys, so I'm waiting on the FedEx guy! When I write articles for clients, I'm often waiting on source quotes or final word counts.
How about you? Any work at home musings? Is this lifestyle one that you're successfully balancing? Is my approach too unstructured for your needs? Do you have set hours?
I think it’s harder to work at home. More distractions and having to stop all the time to tend to kids or household matters. I’m a den mother, class mom and drive my son to various activities so I have to work later in the evening to make up for it. Wouldn’t trade this life for anything, but not everyone can do it.
<--- Sounds so familiar! I don't mind the nights, though, I guess that's why it works.
It’s much the same for me. I’m a full-time freelance writer working from a home office.
I don’t work from 8-5. It’s not uncommon for me to work at night and/or weekends. During ‘normal’ business hours, you might find me doing volunteer work, grocery shopping or at the gym for a work-out or yoga session.
As long as I meet the deadlines and keep my editors happy, I figure my time is my own…that’s why I’m self-employed. What I enjoy the most about my craft are the flexibility and creativity in putting together a well-honed feature article.
I was telecommuting as of 1984… and I’m a full-time freelance writer now.
I can tell you, the only way working from home actually works is if you set strong boundaries (”Yes, the refrigerator needs to be cleaned out, but pretend I’m out at the client site. What would you do, then?”), keep a second number for work-related activities that your friends/family can’t call except for emergencies), and set aside a space that is reserved only for your work, the people around you will learn that you mean business.
The most difficult thing for non-writers to accept is that a significant portion of your work is going to happen when you are a) not typing or putting a pen to page, b) staring quietly at the monitor, or c) staring at a blank wall. At least if you’re in the “reserved” space, you can defend your territory without guilt or trepidation.
It’s really an endless battle, though, and you can’t let up your guard. The Barbarians are always at the gate!
I have a regular 9-to-5 IT Job. I’d love to work from home, but I’d need my friends to come over and work with me. I am a people person. I do some of my writing during my slow periods at the 9-5 or at home during the late night. I need structure and working at home does not provide me that.
Hey all;
I’m a part time work at homer, part time retail assistant and full time singel parent, I find for me personally i work better in the afternoons evenings, luckly i have trained most of my firends that I am working on my business, still got to train the kids though…
I want to work full time from home… at this stage thats just not possiable…but soon…
I learned how to work full time at home while working two full time jobs outside the home and building my freelance writing career at the same time. You maximize the moments. You march to the tick of a different clock. I now have 35 books published by major publishers as well as thousands of articles and every one of them required me to not let those who never made a take off keep me grounded. Writing full time for the past 20 years has not been a luxury, it’s a necessity if I want to see my name on a byline AND on a “pay to the order of” line. Make the minutes count and you won’t have to struggle to find the hours to write.
Incidentally, my husband once wondered why I don’t vacuum or do chores during my lunch hour – I ask him why he doesn’t come home and do it on HIS lunch hour.
Yeah I’m home, but after working for five hours straight, do I really want to pick up the Swiffer?
I work a full time job during the school year and during the summer I plan to expand on my freelance work. I currently help out a local paper, but have considered a freelance work search site. anyone have any good or bad on these sites. Seems like some want to only pay $1 for 500 words and i currently make more than that. Am i missing something there?
For years while my daughter was growing up I worked at home with a very successful typesetting business. I too often worked late at night so I could be involved in school activities with her. I didn’t realize at the time how lucky I was to have been able to have a home based business and not deal with the day cares, etc. I now work a 8-5 office job and am missing the flexible hours.
My days are similar to yours and I like that freedom. I often spend days at the head start where two of my children go to school, chat with the daycare provider that watches my youngest and I’m able to take all of them – including my oldest – to doctor’s appointments without having to check with anyone. And, on top of that, I have my own medical issues that often take precedence.
This life – the work at home life – takes a lot of discipline, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I think my downfall right now is the marketing, but I’m hoping things will pick up soon.
I try to have the bulk of what I need to get done in a day handled before the Hub gets home from work. That includes work-work, homework / studying, and housework. It usually isn’t too difficult.
Working at home is the best decision I made. This is not for everyone but this type of job suits me well. I finally found balance between spending time with my son and maintaining a career in writing!
Being a work-at-home Mom is the best of both worlds. I love the freedom I have to spend with my son while giving editors and clients the “illusion” that I’m always working (responding promptly to e-mails and phone calls). But balance is tough. Either my house is a disaster because my work load is too busy or my work piles up because my house is clean. Also can be lonely.