"Will I ever work at home?"
© Leslie Truex
As
the owner of several work-at-home related websites, I receive email daily
asking about working at home. Most writers of these emails indicate they are
hard working, can type, have a computer and are desperate to work-at-home. But
in most cases, they will never work at home. That may seem like a harsh thing
to say but in all the years I have working at home and studying working at
home, the above characteristics or skills are not what determines someone's
success at working at home. Yes, everyone who works at home has the above
characteristics and tools but they are not the indicators of success.
Through
my own experience and in talking with others, I have determined what I believe
are the characteristics that determine who will succeed at working at home and
who won't. Before I go into the different characteristics, let me first state
that I'm not saying that the people who fit the "unlikely to
work-at-home" scenario are less smart or capable. Instead, as you will
see, they are usually just uninformed about or fearful of what it take to work
at home. But, if they are willing to learn and do the work, they too can find
success working at home.
People
who are less likely to work-at-home:
- Focus only on data-entry and
typing jobs in their search for work.
- Have paid hundreds or more to
off-line and online companies suggesting one can send or place ads, mail
brochures, assemble earrings etc and get paid.
- Spend only left-over time in
their search for work or a home business as opposed to committing regular
effort.
- Sign up for free, spillover
programs hoping to earn $1000's off of someone else's efforts.
- Have a fear of doing something
different or stepping out the comfort zone, which limits their choices.
Do
you see yourself in any of the above characteristics? I was that person when I
first started to look for work-at-home opportunities. I'm not quite sure from
where the idea that working at home and getting-rich on menial work originated.
It probably came from scammers who saw money in people's dreams. What I learned
the hard way was that "work" is the key word in “work at home”. I
haven't met anyone who works at home who hasn't worked very hard either in a
telecommuting position or in a home business. Here are the characteristics I
have found in people who have found success working at home.
People
who successfully work from home:
- Recognize that pay for employment
options are scams and that free work-at-home programs while they may be
viable, don't work by themselves.
- Are proactive in their search for
telecommuting jobs or researching a home business. They don't expect the
ideal situation to show up in their email. Instead, they send resumes regularly
and follow-up...even to companies that might not be advertising a job but
could use a contract or telecommuting worker. Neither do they expect any
home business to be successful with haphazard efforts such as a single
email or ad.
- Spend time regularly, usually
everyday in their search for work or a home business. This time is
scheduled into their life just like all other activities because they know
that life has a way of taking over unless you control your time.
- Understand that there is no job
or home business that doesn't require work. While there may be good free
programs, to earn money requires consistent work to earn a regular income.
- Have a desire to work at home
that is bigger than their fear. They are willing to step out of their
comfort zone in effort to succeed at working at home.
As
you can see, the only real difference between those who succeed at working at
home and those who don't is knowledge, consistent effort and a compelling
desire. I know that is what made the difference for me. I got a telecommuting
job by sending letters of inquiries out to potential employers outlining my
experience and asking if they needed a part-time worker in my area. When I
decided I wanted something more than telecommuting could offer, I researched
home businesses and chose the one that best fit my needs and work habits
KNOWING that I would have to put myself outside my comfort zone in whatever I
chose to do. In other words, I didn't waste my time on Internet gimmicks. I
searched for a proven, reputable, yet achievable program. And then I jumped in
and did it even when I was scared or tired or discouraged. My dream was bigger
than the obstacles, which incidentally are usually all in the mind. Once I
learned how to get out of my own way, it got much easier.
The
question now is what are you willing to do? How big is your dream? Is it big
enough to really learn the truth about working at home and stop wasting your
time looking for the job or program that doesn't exist? Is it big enough to
commit time every day to achieving it even if its just 15 minutes? Is it big
enough to step out of your comfort zone to do something different to reach your
goal? Is it big enough to commit to for the long haul particularly when your
dream seems out of reach? If it is, then you have what it takes to work at home
and the answer is, "Yes, you will work at home."
