There will never be a “perfect” time to start working from home.
I considered waiting on working from home until I earned a graduate degree.
When I started working from home in 2010, the only degree I held was a high school diploma.
I also thought that perhaps I could better focus on it once my children were school age.
My kids were five, three, and one, respectively, when I got my first work-from-home editing project.
Perhaps you’re planning for your teenager’s graduation, or until they have gone off to college.
My oldest daughter started college two months ago.
Maybe you are still in college.
I did earn a degree, though it took me nine years, and now I have an MFA in Creative Writing.
Perhaps you are waiting until you have saved up enough to quit your present job.
When I started working from home, I had no job other than a stay-at-home mom.
The pins will likely never all be lined up perfectly, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get an awesome strike …
… A bowling reference.
When should you start?
Start when your heart tells you, “Now is the time.”
- Yes, you need to factor in logistical and practical aspects.
- You need to count the costs.
- You definitely need to first decide that working from home is what you want to do, and you should have a developing skill set to match your desire.
But don’t be afraid to take that first step, whatever it might be for you.
Take those early yet necessary steps in understanding the ins and outs, pros and cons, and other specifics of working from home.
Try not to stop there though.
You’ll know when it’s time. And when it is, don’t hesitate to get your feet wet.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to jump in with both feet.
As in, don’t get ahead of yourself.
As people often advise aspiring writers, actors, or artists, “Don’t quit your day job.”
You might have to double-task for a while — making strides with your work-from-home career while still maintaining separate employment.
During that time, you probably can’t manage to give your new venture eight hours a day, or even four hours a day.
So, do what you can.
Start by …
- Researching your options
- Reading books and posts on the topic
- Talking with people who have worked in your niche and know how to succeed.
Start small … but start somewhere.
With something.
You’ve likely happened upon a website or blog where someone claims they tried some work-from-home venture and found that they could go from zero to a $60K income in a matter of three months and now they enjoy holidays on the shore of a pristine Caribbean Island while managing minimal work from their handy laptop (or tablet or iPad or iPhone).
You’ll notice that they generally don’t post pictures of those perfect vacations.
And even if they are telling the truth, those lucky people are few and far between.
If you’re attempting to work from home for fast money, you will likely be disappointed.
However, if you’re looking to work from home because you found that you can do something you love from home while caring for your children or recovering from an unexpected job loss, you will likely find the perfect work-from-home career.
If making money is your sole motive, developing a slow and steady income by working from home might not seem to be worth it.
If finding your purpose or following a lifelong passion is your objective, you are probably on the right road.
If you have an awesome plan to go with it, great!
Follow that path and see where it leads.
Bonita Jewel 