It's difficult for work and home (specifically, work at home) to mix well. But don't confuse self employment with self indulgence.
The at-home work day is filled with distractions, making it easy to self indulge rather than to work toward self employment. But for many, it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two.
Self Employment
Those who work for themselves have to be all things at once: a boss, a supervisor, a team leader, a team player, a problem-solver, an employee. Being self employed means finding jobs, building reputation, crafting a great Web site or portfolio (or both) and of course, getting the job done. But it’s hard to work when home is also filled with all the greatest distractions. Why not simply put projects off, take an extra day here and there, spend a few extra hours watching a movie instead of searching out new gigs?
Self Indulgence
People who are their own boss can easily slide into self indulgence without really being aware. Something interesting comes on the TV, a friendly email catches the eye, some silly detail captivates the attention…and suddenly, half the work day is already gone. The phone rings, someone stops by, the guest on a daytime talk show is too funny to resist. There are a lot of things within the home that can command attention…but are any of those things really more important than getting the work done?
Deconstructing the At-Home Work Day
The at-home work day is different for every self employed professional. Following a schedule that feels right, or refusing to conform to a schedule because this also feels right, is not self indulgent. When projects get pushed aside, put off or completely ignored in favor of some other diversion, this is self indulgent.
What’s important is that the work get done - the how and when aren’t necessarily as important as meeting this goal. Remember, in self employment reputation is everything. Putting off projects to the last possible minute, or taking several days to respond to mails, is incredibly irresponsible and unprofessional. No employer or client wants to hire someone who is slow to respond, and no one will continue to hire someone who turns in work just before the deadline elapses. It’s important to get projects in on time, in fact to get them in before they’re due if possible.
The at-home work day should be one that makes the professional feel comfortable and capable. Some may choose to get to work right away, while others find they do their best work later in the day. But make sure the work gets done, without putting off projects or waiting until time is almost up. When the work arrives says as much about a self employed professional as the quality of that finished project.
