Work From Home – How to Succeed
You have probably read tons of material on how to earn a six figure income working from home. The internet is literally littered with free advice on how to make money staying at home, in your pj’s. Ironically, “how to make money online” being one of the most commonly searched keyword phrases, people who give out this free advice are also trying to make money by telling others how to make money.
There are no shortcuts to success. I do not have the credentials yet to write an insightful and meaningful post about how difficult or easy it is to make money in your pj’s. But being a freelance writer, that is essentially what I am trying to do as well. And I do believe it is possible, but not overnight and not by just creating a blog cum website stuffed with keywords. It takes dedication, commitment and presumably twice the amount of hard work than in a normal job where you work for someone else.
That you are in a familiar environment is precisely the beauty and challenge when it comes to working from home. In an office away from home, you are far removed from the hundreds of little interruptions like the whistle of the pressure cooker or the untimely doorbell. If you are not careful, there is a very real chance that the dream of working in pj’s turns into a nightmare.
The following might help:
- Treat your freelance job just the same as you would an office job
Just because you happen to work from home, there is no excuse to be sloppy about the final product that you deliver. Just as you would plan to tackle a major project at work, you must also plan your freelance projects. Take your deadlines seriously and do not compromise on quality. Work as if you are working for a regular boss who decides your next pay hike.
- Create a routine
Having a routine is possibly one of the best things that can help your freelancing career. Decide how many hours a day you are willing to work. And make sure that you work for those hours. If you want to do a 9to5 at home, nothing like it.
- Do NOT work in pj’s
This is my personal opinion. Sloppy attire begets sloppy work. Sitting in front of the computer, bleary eyed and wearing last night’s clothes does not bring about much energy or enthusiasm that can help you create something worthwhile. Though it may not be necessary to wear your best work clothes and makeup, I daresay going through the ritual of getting presentable in itself preps the body and mind to wake up and work.
- Do not give up half way
In spite of six-figure-income-working-at-home claims, the initial months or even years of a home business of any sort is likely to be dry. Just plod on. Working for yourself ultimately reaps much better dividends than working for anyone else. Emotional satisfaction is guarnteed in all cases and in most cases financial rewards are certain too. You need to work smart, network and always keep an eye on the long term gains.
