“She’s so lucky! She gets to stay at home and work!” Someone once remarked to me how (wink! wink!) he knew “all about working at home.” I do not believe, however, most workforce employees comprehend the dedication, motivation, resourcefulness and diligent efforts that go into “working at home“.

Sure, there are some who have “arrived” at a place in life where they are not obligatory to have constant “hands on”; and may even have a laissez-faire attitude about how much time they can or will dedicate to the tasks at hand. In most cases, however, it is imperative that you effectively pace yourself to complete a set of daily tasks to be successful in achieving goals.

5 Pros to “Working at Home”

 

1. Carbon footprint. Not only do you save $$ in your wallet, but by not commuting to and from work, you are also conserving energy and reducing harmful gas emissions. That means that you are reducing your carbon footprint and playing an important part in saving the planet. For example: If you have a medium sized car that averages 20-30 mpg and you drive 120 miles roundtrip to work; and you merely reduce your onsite work week by just one day, were you aware that you will preserve five tons of CO2 and cut greenhouse gas emissions by an equal amount annually? (Learn more here.)

2. Stress. Well…it really depends on your home office climate on how “stress-less” you will be. If it all goes well, you will not have to deal with interruptions or road warriors cutting you off enroot to the office. Of course you also will not have to face the brutal elements and the multiplied sounds of tick, tick, ticking of neighboring keyboards. At best, you can brew your own pot of Starbucks (which you do not have to share with others) and it’s always a plus being able to work in your pajamas!

3. Butterfly kisses. If you have pets, they can cuddle next to your feet as you work from your home laptop or desktop…the more, the merrier!

4. Time. If you pace yourself effectively, you can get loads accomplished. That means working no differently than you would onsite but in the creature comforts of your home.

5. Music! Not MUSAC, MUSIC! Okay … in most office environments you can plug in your iPod but then you are attached to a cord. At home, you can turn up the volume without disturbing anyone else around you. You know you want to listen loudly to “Mandy” by Barry Manilow, so let your hair down and knock your socks off!

The Cons of “Working at Home”

1.Thou shalt not have a free day away from work! Some folks may imagine you are having a FREE day to catch up on sleep, run errands, do chores, throw a party and visit the park while you’re at it… this could be further from the truth! Part of this con is learning how to get past the erroneous judgment of others who will certainly drive you insane with their bogus accusations of you having “free fun time”.

2. Staying motivated! Unless you have the mental capacity to focus on and COMPLETE  your tasks, working at home is NOT for you. If you are one of those individuals who thinks he can put off today what he can do tomorrow, then punching a timecard is probably best for all intents and purposes.

3. Family and friends. “Oh, you’re at home this week???” That’s code for “We’re stopping by or we’ll call you for a long chit-chat.” Family is really good at this. It is automatically assumed that because you are not “physically” at work, that you are available and at their disposal. Rule of thumb: Lay down the law and REPEATEDLY remind these people that your work matters and that your work time is not negotiable.

4. Isolation. While being alone can be peaceful and give you the inspiration to create and finish various initiatives, it also can leave you feeling empty, disconnected and even lonely. You might be missing valuable brainstorming sessions or special guests, presentations or coworker communications.

5. Which brings me to “face time”. Nothing says collaboration and cooperation than when you are working holographically alongside your colleagues via “technommunication” (yes… I just made that word up!) … email, web chat or even webcam. The sky’s the limit in the world of modern technology so you do not have to be a stranger if you choose not to be!

All in all, the daunting task of “working at home” is not at all what it’s cracked up to be. It is not about partying and having all the time in the world to catch up with old pals, run a marathon, or create lavish dinner entrees. In fact, working at home is well… WORK. If you want to be successful, earn money, complete your objectives, build a flourishing monopoly of business contacts and a respectful reputation… you must never take advantage of just being at home for the sake of being at home. Yes, enjoy the pajamas, the pets, the solitude, the Starbucks’ coffee and Mandy (I know you’re humming it now…) but put your heart and mind behind productive efforts so no one can ever claim that you’re simply having “free time” away from work!

5 Pros and Cons to Working from Home

By CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd – Social Media Sorceress on philosophy, social matters, social media, current events and more!

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In three days, the early dawn will greet a fortunate few with a mantle of snowy white. In three days, children around the world will be awakened to the sight of holiday packages and curly tied ribbons. In three days, homes will be filled with joy, the sounds of laughter and an awe of peace. The magic of the season will touch the hearts and lives of all those who have been so blessed to share in the festivities of Christmas.

Whether a believer or not, this mystical day brings back the nostalgia of a childhood not so long ago.  It is in the presence of the moment, where we so often reflect on the times we used to know and love. We remember those we’ve loved, who have now passed away. We remember tender moments shared, Eskimo kisses, and the bells that rang on Christmas Day. It used to, in some ways, seem to mean more. It was a time where families, friends or foes, no matter their differences, could come together to share love and light amongst one another. It was something sacred, something special.

In three days, the world will once again revel in the beauty of this mysterious day. The miracle and wonder is not so much in what it used to mean, the gifts we give or get, or the music that fills the air; but what we mean to each other. In a world where there is so much anger, so much fear, so much sorrow, so much lack — this is one day where we should take the time to be sincere to one another. A time where we can learn what Christmas (and life) is really for. This holiday season, be thankful for the life and legacy you have, the love in your life, and the peace in knowing that you have survived another year to fulfill a purpose yet to be revealed to you.  After all, like so many who have passed before us, it is good to be known not so much for all the money or gifts you have given, but for the positive light and love you have left in the hearts and souls of those around you. In three days, even if you do not celebrate this specific day, reflect on the love you have, the love you have yet to give, and the love and kindness for what you will always be remembered.

Let there be peace on Earth… and let it begin with me.

Three Days

By CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd – Social Media Sorceress on philosophy, social matters, social media, current events and more!

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Do you really understand what is happening in another’s life? Sometimes we do and say things that are less than empathetic without ever thinking about what others are experiencing in their lives. We drop more workloads onto them. We cut them off on the roadways. We leave chaos in their wake. We take advantage of their charity. We molest every attempt of gentleness they offer. All the while, we nonchalantly lead our lives without skipping a beat. Are you this person?

Better still, how often have you been on the receiving end of less than favorable circumstance in your life? We have all been there. We have had so much stress around us that we couldn’t see the forest for the trees. No matter what we did or said, nothing seemed to lessen the load: long work hours, stressful home lives, financial woes, household repairs, sickness, depression… the whole nine yards. And in the midst of it all, there’s one person (or group of persons), choosing to make your life a living hell. How did it make you feel then? How does it make you feel day in and day out?

Emotions are vulnerability we all have and experience. We are susceptible to the emotional repercussions because we are human. No one or nothing can make a person feel a certain way, but because we are emotional beings, we tend to fall prey to the external and aggravating nuances that enter our lives. The worst part is that it is proven that stress creates real, physical illness. It deteriorates our immune systems, wrecks havoc on our ability to concentrate, and by the time all is said and done, we become emotional basket cases – which often leads to nervous breakdowns, obesity, or heart disease, among other common disorders and dis-ease.

Life from a Third Person’s View

When you converse with a person, do you honestly know what that person is going through?  Maybe that individual has lost someone close to him. Perhaps she has had a really tough day at work. Your friend, family member or coworker may have health issues he is dealing with. Perhaps she is suffering from neglect or abuse. Maybe he is struggling day in and day out to pay his electric bill, phone bill and mortgage payment. Perhaps he’s been having other family issues. If she is contending with the weight of the world on her shoulders, how you treat her may be the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back, or the hand-up out of the darkness.

The next time you decide to heap more coals on the fire, put yourself in that person’s shoes. When you cut off the person in the turning lane, place more financial strain on an individual, snap at the individual for no good reason, or just make life harder on the person in general, ask yourself: How would I feel if someone did that to me, acted that way, or spoke to me that way? Remember, not everyone has a wonderful life. Not everyone is as blissful as you may be. Not everyone has the greatest relationship … but if you take the time to think before you speak or act, you may just save a life. Instead of reacting, become proactive by practicing random acts of kindness. Your loving kindness and empathy may just have a positive impact in the life of someone else. J

Life from a Third Person’s View

By CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd

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Read more about life and other fun topics, including the social media sorceress‘ most recent post, The Worst DIY Disaster – the Monster in the Closet, among numerous other articles on social media, philosophy or insight!