Comments on: 5 downsides of working at home http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/ for the marketer, designer, and entrepreneur Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:54:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: rachel http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3168 rachel Wed, 14 May 2008 02:29:48 +0000 http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3168 i hope it is okay to post this here: We're trying to gauge interest in developing a permanent dedicated coworking space in downtown Toronto. This might include shared office space, some anchor offices, meeting and training space, and a private cafe. It could be any or all of those. Let's have a discussion with a brief presentation to explore what it might be and why you might want to be a part of this. Tue May 27, Epicure Cafe, Toronto details at http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/671403 i hope it is okay to post this here:

We’re trying to gauge interest in developing a permanent dedicated coworking space in downtown Toronto. This might include shared office space, some anchor offices, meeting and training space, and a private cafe. It could be any or all of those.

Let’s have a discussion with a brief presentation to explore what it might be and why you might want to be a part of this.

Tue May 27, Epicure Cafe, Toronto
details at http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/671403

]]> By: BillinDetroit http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3156 BillinDetroit Fri, 09 May 2008 08:27:19 +0000 http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3156 I think I've gotten a handle on that '3-4 hours late' baloney ... when they DO show up or when I get around to contacting them in a day or two ... I'm 'all about' rescheduling the appointment. As in, "Um no, Tuesday morning (of next week) won't work ... what does your Friday afternoon (also, of next week) look like?" If we can't come up with a mutually satisfactory time, I don't worry about it ... I worried about it last time; now it's their turn. It seems to be alerting people that an appointment with me is NOT a 'show up when you stinking feel like it IF you stinking feel like it' deal. I just need to re-train some people I went too far for. I think I’ve gotten a handle on that ‘3-4 hours late’ baloney … when they DO show up or when I get around to contacting them in a day or two … I’m ‘all about’ rescheduling the appointment. As in, “Um no, Tuesday morning (of next week) won’t work … what does your Friday afternoon (also, of next week) look like?” If we can’t come up with a mutually satisfactory time, I don’t worry about it … I worried about it last time; now it’s their turn.

It seems to be alerting people that an appointment with me is NOT a ’show up when you stinking feel like it IF you stinking feel like it’ deal.

I just need to re-train some people I went too far for.

]]> By: Simon http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3150 Simon Tue, 06 May 2008 01:13:17 +0000 http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3150 To the posters that feel lonely working at home I say working for yourself gives you the opportunity meet even more people than being a typical cubicle rat. What's more is you tend to meet better "quality" (motivated like you) people when you are self-employed. Cubicles breeds lazy, dumb, and non-motivated people. At least that's my experience. To the posters that feel lonely working at home I say working for yourself gives you the opportunity meet even more people than being a typical cubicle rat. What’s more is you tend to meet better “quality” (motivated like you) people when you are self-employed. Cubicles breeds lazy, dumb, and non-motivated people. At least that’s my experience.

]]> By: rachel http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3147 rachel Sun, 04 May 2008 22:58:35 +0000 http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3147 hi verne, i came across your blog when researching coworking spaces in toronto. it is unfortunate that one closed down last year before i was in a position to take space, but now i'm looking at it from the other end of the perspective - to start one. if you are interested in coworking space, we'll be gathering like-mined interested folks together to chat about it. drop me a line and i'll be sure to add you to the list. r. hi verne,

i came across your blog when researching coworking spaces in toronto. it is unfortunate that one closed down last year before i was in a position to take space, but now i’m looking at it from the other end of the perspective - to start one.

if you are interested in coworking space, we’ll be gathering like-mined interested folks together to chat about it. drop me a line and i’ll be sure to add you to the list.
r.

]]> By: Azeem http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3088 Azeem Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:03:25 +0000 http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3088 Great Entry. Theres a few more downsides of working at home: -Meeting Clients, If your home is messy and doesn't have an alternate/dedicated entrance for your work space it may give a bad impression, and at worst you might lose a client over it. You might want to stick to meeting at restaurants. -Expanding your business/ Hiring people (I'm sure someone mentioned this). You don't necessarily want people working for you having access to your home (keys?). That will prevent you from hiring anyone you don't totally trust. If your office area is sealed off from the rest of your home, then it can work. Working at home makes sense for people who do consulting, and more or less work alone or with a very small group. One common theme that I have seen in peoples comments is that they do not know where to draw the line. I would suggest for them to: 1) Set Office Hours and stick to them. Then your family will know when you have time for them and when you are "at work". More importantly it will help you stay disciplined. 2) Dress Up to Go to work. I know this sounds silly but this mentally gets you in the mode of operation. Working with crust in your eyes, wearing Pajamas will hold you back. 3) Keep your options open. As soon as you can afford it and you feel your productivity slowing down make your move to a small office space. If you can find something in walking distance from home that would be ideal :) 4) If all else fails outsource your small projects to India and get a day job :) Great Entry. Theres a few more downsides of working at home:

-Meeting Clients, If your home is messy and doesn’t have an alternate/dedicated entrance for your work space it may give a bad impression, and at worst you might lose a client over it. You might want to stick to meeting at restaurants.

-Expanding your business/ Hiring people (I’m sure someone mentioned this). You don’t necessarily want people working for you having access to your home (keys?). That will prevent you from hiring anyone you don’t totally trust. If your office area is sealed off from the rest of your home, then it can work.

Working at home makes sense for people who do consulting, and more or less work alone or with a very small group.

One common theme that I have seen in peoples comments is that they do not know where to draw the line. I would suggest for them to:

1) Set Office Hours and stick to them. Then your family will know when you have time for them and when you are “at work”. More importantly it will help you stay disciplined.
2) Dress Up to Go to work. I know this sounds silly but this mentally gets you in the mode of operation. Working with crust in your eyes, wearing Pajamas will hold you back.
3) Keep your options open. As soon as you can afford it and you feel your productivity slowing down make your move to a small office space. If you can find something in walking distance from home that would be ideal :)
4) If all else fails outsource your small projects to India and get a day job :)

]]> By: Verne http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3033 Verne Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:40:35 +0000 http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3033 Hi Liz, I too am loving the extra energy and time to fit in some of the more important things that were formerly neglected. Don't let this article fool you - I love working at home just as much as any of the others who have posted here! Thanks for leaving your two cents. :) Hi Liz, I too am loving the extra energy and time to fit in some of the more important things that were formerly neglected. Don’t let this article fool you - I love working at home just as much as any of the others who have posted here! Thanks for leaving your two cents. :)

]]> By: Liz http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3028 Liz Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:44:24 +0000 http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3028 I get a lot of what your saying here, I've been working from home for a couple months now. I actually love being at home all day. But, I'm a little bizarre. At my old office job id get home every night exhausted and starving, i just wanted to stuff my face and go to bed. Now i have time and energy to see my family and friends. I get a lot of what your saying here, I’ve been working from home for a couple months now. I actually love being at home all day. But, I’m a little bizarre.
At my old office job id get home every night exhausted and starving, i just wanted to stuff my face and go to bed. Now i have time and energy to see my family and friends.

]]> By: Michael Jenkins http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3011 Michael Jenkins Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:03:02 +0000 http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3011 Wow, a good article with a lot of good comments :). Wow, a good article with a lot of good comments :).

]]> By: Peter Mayo http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3010 Peter Mayo Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:49:15 +0000 http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3010 @Verne - ( Speaking about a halfway house / entrepreneur workshop ) Yep, I agree. I am a firm believer that ideas do not carry value, implementation does. I think that if this idea got backing and was done right from step 1 then it could be a massive hit. And Yes, I would love to leave the US of A for our cold neighbors up north. It would take quite a team of personalities to run, I imagine fresh execs from big companies who are stepping into an entrepreneur position, to bring with them the latest psychology from big business (Good to Great, etc). Now to get back to implementation :) finding the investors and getting the 'right people on the bus'. @Verne - ( Speaking about a halfway house / entrepreneur workshop ) Yep, I agree. I am a firm believer that ideas do not carry value, implementation does.
I think that if this idea got backing and was done right from step 1 then it could be a massive hit.
And Yes, I would love to leave the US of A for our cold neighbors up north.

It would take quite a team of personalities to run, I imagine fresh execs from big companies who are stepping into an entrepreneur position, to bring with them the latest psychology from big business (Good to Great, etc). Now to get back to implementation :) finding the investors and getting the ‘right people on the bus’.

]]> By: Verne http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3007 Verne Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:28:18 +0000 http://creativebriefing.com/5-downsides-of-working-at-home/#comment-3007 @Chris - Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Music is a hit and miss for most people. For me personally, I find myself listening or singing to the lyrics which makes it difficult to work on things that require me to write. Music is great for when I'm just doing design work though! As for your clients' time delay, doesn't that just give you a better excuse to sleep in? :D @Simon - You're right, at some point you're bound to grow out of your home office. I may be making that move in a matter of months and moving into a physical space for the first time. It'll be a big change for me, but hopefully I won't end up falling into an office groove. After all, it will be <em>my</em> office. I'm interested in knowing how moving out as impacted the growth and success of your business, please share! @Pam - Hang in there! While office politics adds that dynamic of surprise and challenge to your day, there are plenty other more constructive ways to get around your blues. Check out some of my suggestions in my follow up post and see if you can give your day a breath of fresh air so that you don't have to jump ship! @Peter - I love the idea! I think it was discussed earlier, but still nobody has the resources to take that first step. Like I've said before, if you build it, we will come! Any chance of building it in Toronto? ;D @Vic - I actually am looking forward to warmer weather so that I can open my window to the cool summer breeze. I think it'll make the experience at home just that much sweeter! @BillinDetroit - Looks like you've already figured out a few elements in your day that are slowing you down. For many, that's a big leap. It's horrible to hear people can be as inconsiderate as being 3-4 hours late without notice. Keep us posted on your progress to change things around! @Melissa - Any excuse to get out of the house will work to rejuvenate your working spirit. Adding in a workout schedule is even better because it's good for you too! Just one thing - what's a CVS and a SO? I'm delighted and also saddened at how much this article has resonated with all of you! Hopefully everybody finds their way out of their grind and can take a few lessons from some of the people posting comments. @Chris - Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Music is a hit and miss for most people. For me personally, I find myself listening or singing to the lyrics which makes it difficult to work on things that require me to write. Music is great for when I’m just doing design work though! As for your clients’ time delay, doesn’t that just give you a better excuse to sleep in? :D

@Simon - You’re right, at some point you’re bound to grow out of your home office. I may be making that move in a matter of months and moving into a physical space for the first time. It’ll be a big change for me, but hopefully I won’t end up falling into an office groove. After all, it will be my office. I’m interested in knowing how moving out as impacted the growth and success of your business, please share!

@Pam - Hang in there! While office politics adds that dynamic of surprise and challenge to your day, there are plenty other more constructive ways to get around your blues. Check out some of my suggestions in my follow up post and see if you can give your day a breath of fresh air so that you don’t have to jump ship!

@Peter - I love the idea! I think it was discussed earlier, but still nobody has the resources to take that first step. Like I’ve said before, if you build it, we will come! Any chance of building it in Toronto? ;D

@Vic - I actually am looking forward to warmer weather so that I can open my window to the cool summer breeze. I think it’ll make the experience at home just that much sweeter!

@BillinDetroit - Looks like you’ve already figured out a few elements in your day that are slowing you down. For many, that’s a big leap. It’s horrible to hear people can be as inconsiderate as being 3-4 hours late without notice. Keep us posted on your progress to change things around!

@Melissa - Any excuse to get out of the house will work to rejuvenate your working spirit. Adding in a workout schedule is even better because it’s good for you too! Just one thing - what’s a CVS and a SO?

I’m delighted and also saddened at how much this article has resonated with all of you! Hopefully everybody finds their way out of their grind and can take a few lessons from some of the people posting comments.

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