Should I Work From Home?

This is an important question to ask yourself before you venture into the world of the work-at-home-mom (wahm). Most of us decide we are going to become wahm’s because of a financial need. The are a number of reasons why we might have this financial need. We may need to contribute to the household income because of debt, helping making ends meet or savings for something specific (vacation, baby, etc.). What ever the reason for our need or want for more income we need to be sure that we are clear of our goal.
Get a piece of paper or make a mental note of the answers to this question:

Why do I want or need to work at home?

If your answer to this question was for need then I am hear to tell you that you can do it. Out of need will come the drive and determination it takes to work at home. On the other hand if you are thinking about starting a wah business for a “want”. Then it is completely up to you to decided how much you want to get involved with a wah venture. Either way answering the next question will help you decide what kind of business you want to pursue.

What do you like to do? What are your hobbies or interests?

For some people this may seem like an easy question but for others it may be a very difficult. Even for the people that are clear of their passions and interests, you can’t always work at home and do these things. So, why do you need to know what you like to do? The answer to this is simple. We are much more likely to be successful with things we enjoy doing than things we don’t. Okay so you say, “well what I enjoy I can not do at home with the kids, I like to skydive”.

Ok, if you enjoy sky diving it would be very difficult for you to work at home and also be a skydiving instructor. Yet, you could build a website that teaches the best sky diving techniques and sell the best priced skydiving supplies on the internet. It is important to be a little creative when trying to work a something you have a passion for.

So you need to answer these questions and write a list or make a mental note of what things you really like to do. What kind of activities make you happy. Also include things about your personallity that you enjoy sharing with others. If you are a compasionate person, encouraging person or have good advice to offer, these are all parts of you as a person that bring you joy when you can share them. It is highly recommended that you do not start a business that you do not really have a passion for.

Often times we are told that “this business is for everyone”, but I don’t believe that for a second (anymore). Not all businesses are right for all people. You have to like it and even better love it. Not saying you can’t be successful and make money with businesses you don’t like but how long will it last for you if your heart is not in it? There are so many of different buisness opportunities that fit our interests and can keep us close to home. Search for the one that is right for you.

At this point you might need to become a little creative. If you feel you don’t have a creative bone in your body then find someone that does. Depending on your interests starting your own business with your specific interests might be a challenge but still possible. There are also many companies out there that might already have an established or up and coming business that fit your interests, where you can become and independent distirbutor, rep or consultant.

At this point I am going to pretend you have already found your buisness and give you a little information about what it takes to be a WAHM. My goal here is not to discourage you but to let you in on some of the things us wahms have to go through so that you can be aware of the challenges.

First off, no matter how much your potential upline or “get rich quick” speaker tells you the truth is success comes with hard work. Now I know there are those who have made it rich quick or effortlessly but for the majority it is not all that easy.

Success comes with hard work. But does the hard work have to be horrible work? Remember that at this point you have found something that your love to do, right? So then, the hard work is not near as “hard” if you are enjoying most of it.

I have been sitting at my computer consistantly for the last few days till 1:30 in the morning trying to get this website completed before the deadline I have set for myself, and strangely have enjoyed most of it. You see, one of my passions is helping people. I love helping and encouraging people. If I can share something I have learned that can be beneficial for someone else it makes me very happy. So the many hours of work I do while the kids are asleep are hard, my back and neck hurt, my fingers and eyes are tired but I still enjoy it. So start or find the business that makes you feel happy to do even when it gets hard to do.

There are many other things I could tell you about working at home but I think some of it you will have to experience yourself. One of the most important keys to succeeding in any business venture, especially for us moms, is support and encouragement.

If you feel you need more advice on this topic please visit one of our message forums. You can ask other WAHMs question or discuss concerns you have.

My hope and prayer is that my article will be helpful to you and that you can continue on to the next step with confidence. I encourage you to read the next article “Starting Off Right”.