I’ve been working from home for a few months now, and because of that I have heard several myths about what it’s like to work from home.
Whether you work for yourself and your office is in your home, or if you telecommute and work for someone else, I’m sure you’ve heard some of the myths below as well.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE working from home, and I wouldn’t change a thing. However, some people have said certain things to me that really make me laugh. Working from home is still work.
I understand that not everyone works from home (although, I did read a statistic in an article the other day that said 30% of workers actually work from home) and the thought itself can seem unattainable, but it is possible for you if you want it. Also, I’m not mad at anyone for anything that is said to me, because I know that I used to think some of the same things.
Here are common myths about working from home.
You’ll have time to work out all the time.
This is something I thought would be true for myself. I thought that I would especially have time since we have a full gym in our basement. Yes, I have been doing better when it comes to working out, but it took a long time for me to get to this point – and I’m still not perfect.
I don’t like to work out until I get the majority of my work done for the day, and I think that’s my problem. I use work as my excuse. There will always be work, and I just need to have a set schedule for when I workout so that I can stop making excuses.
Aren’t all work from home jobs scams?
When I tell people what I do, they usually don’t believe it. Many people think that most home businesses are scams. I can see why some people would think this, considering I see so many home scams all the time.
Not all work at home jobs are scams. I have a legitimate business! Just like anyone else who has a business, mine is a business as well.
It’s easy to just stop working.
When you have your own business, it can be very difficult to completely stop working. Whenever we go on a trip, I almost always continue working the same amount that I do when I am at home. When you are a business owner, I feel that (especially in the beginning) you want to bust your butt off to make your business successful. It can be hard to separate work and life.
You’re not actually working.
For some reason, many people associate working from home with not doing any work at all. Boy, are they wrong! I have even had people not believe me and then ask for a full schedule of what I do each day to prove myself.
I’ve had several people ask me what I do all day long. Umm hello, I WORK! And, I’m working harder than ever before.
You will spend all of your time on social media.
This is something that I thought would happen to me. However, I’ve noticed that I’m on websites like Twitter and Facebook much less than when I had my day job. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m probably still on it too much!
You won’t have a social life.
I’m often asked if I get lonely working from home. Considering before I switched to self-employment I worked independently in an office and hardly ever had human contact, I can honestly say that the answer is no. I talk to people all day long, it’s just not face to face.
You will spend all of your time in pajamas.
This one is TRUE, especially for me. Ah, I wear pajamas so much that I call myself disgusting all the time. Don’t worry, I still do my hair and makeup every day. Now, yoga pants are just a part of my daily outfit.
What myths have you heard? Anyone else experience the same thing?
Leave a Reply
Hi Michelle. I’ve been working from home for the past few years. The problem I have found is trying not to do too much work – or more specifically not taking enough breaks. I find that I sometimes start meandering around the internet, not really achieving much, probably because I just need a short break. When I take more breaks, I get more quality work done.
I also workout regularly. I try and look at it as part of my work. I have set days and times to train, and stick to that. I try to remind myself that in the long run it is contributing to my work. This helps keep it important in my week.
Yes, more breaks are often needed. Forcing yourself to work usually does not work.
As someone who unfortunately has to bring work home all the time, I can definitely agree that working from home can be just as hard or accomplishing as doing work at work. In fact there are some days where I’ve had to stay at home while one of my kids is sick, and I’ve gotten more production than if I had been at my desk! I think the major difference is interruptions. At work you are constantly having to help other people, answer phones, go to meetings, etc. All distractions from the real task at hand!
#3 is my big worry if I were to ever start my own business. Knowing that all the revenue contributes to my own bottom line, I’m sure I’d find myself working 24/7 to max that out each and every month (until I eventually burn out).
Yes, a lot of the time I find myself working like crazy. Lately, I have been trying to work more “normally” though.
I’ve been working from home a lot recently and it’s definitely not the case that you all of a sudden have tons of time for everything. At least it doesn’t feel that way. I’ve heard it plenty of times from other places but it’s definitely true that it becomes hard to separate work life from home life. That’s something I need to get much better at.
Yes, it can get hard to separate work life and home life when you work from home. I still love it though!
I hear this one from time to time:
“Aren’t all work from home jobs scams?”
I don’t think people realize that I have a real job that pays real money that just *happens* to be from home. Maybe if I rented an office and went there every day it would seem more legit =)
Haha, I actually tell people that all the time. “So, if I leased office space, would my job be real?”
I would like spending more time on social media. That’s been something that has held my blog back a bit – just having limited time to connect with people because of my full-time job.
Yes, connect more on social media Brian. It’s fun and helpful!
I only work from home about once or twice a month, but I think I would be able to find time to work out much easier if I worked from home. The reason? With no commute I would be able to shift that time to working out. I hear you though about there always being more work to do.
Yes, I wish I could say the same. For some reason, I always find something else to do instead of working out.
Great article Michelle! I just don’t know how do people who are not working at home can make those assumptions, even though, they haven’t tried it themselves.
Thanks Mark!
You’re so right about all of these!
The ‘You’re not actually working’ is a big one and also means that people think you’re available at the drop of a hat if they want to call round, ask for help, invite you out etc.
In fact it’s been such a theme for me that the tagline of my new website ( BetterWorkingAtHome.co.uk is “Just because I work at home doesn’t mean it’s not a proper job!’ 😀
Thanks Jo!
I wonder about the importance of your workspace when working from home. I imagine that I would need a better desk and better chair to stay productive. I don’t think I could get real work done on my couch with my laptop.
Yes, I think a dedicated work space is important as well. Thanks Dave!
I work from home a little each day…and then head into the office for my day job. I confess, I do work in my PJs as long as I possibly can. LOL.
Haha yes, I love working in my PJs!
It seems a lot of people have a hard time dealing with/understanding anything that is not the “norm” so they criticize and judge! 🙂
Yes, exactly!
I have a hard time working and being productive from home. Unless there are deadlines I probably do things at the last minute.
Yes, it can be hard to be productive. Luckily, I’m getting better at it!
I’d have issues with the PJs one for sure. I tend to stay in my pjs on the weekend until I actually have to leave my apartment. I find it amusing when people think you wouldn’t be working hard. If your income is all in your control because you run your own business then obviously you’re working your ass off! I’m not surprised your driven to work harder, especially because it seems you enjoy this work more so you probably have energy for longer periods of time.
Yes, I definitely have more energy for longer periods of time now, which is nice!
I agree with the working out myth because it combines with the ability to stop working myth. I always feel that any time out of my home (working out included) detracts from progress I can make on work and more often then not, work wins over working out.
Glad I’m not alone. Seriously, I thought I was a weirdo.
So what is your work from home job? I’m curious!
Hey Jessica,
I have my own business. You can check it all out here – https://fund-rise.live/extra-income%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E