There comes a point in your life when you start to think, “Is this all there is? Wouldn’t it be great if I could work from home?” You get up, day after day, get dressed, comb your hair, pack your lunch, warm up the car, drive into traffic, and park in front of the same building. As you carry your leather attaché, filled with who knows what, you nod hello to Mary, who is gossiping with Ethel, just like yesterday, and the day before. You nod and smile at your boss, who is wondering if you finally completed the Simpson project he delegated because he didn’t want to do it himself, knowing that you always do a better job. When you finally complete the project, your boss will take credit for it, as usual. “Oh well,” you think, as you finally settle in at your desk. You respond to all of your business e-mails, and begin to work on your project, but Cindy Lou stops by to talk about her shoes, and how they really hurt her bunions, that she soaked in the miracle cure being offered for half price at the Manicure Spot, downstairs near the sub shop. You have no idea how it could happen so fast, but it is now time to take your morning break. You walk about half a mile to the break room, get a stone-hard bagel and some stale coffee from the bottom of the pot, because Harry “the belcher” refused to add water to the Bunn coffee maker, after he took a double double macchiato, in his triple-sized mug. Does this sound familiar to you?
Can I Really Work From Home?
Sometimes you can make the home-based transition easily. You find a new job, you discover that you can telecommute full-time, and life is but a dream. But, there are those who can’t find a job that they can work from home, simply because the income differential is much too high, or their skills are not a match. What about making a plan for your future? What if you continue to work at your current job, but set in motion plans to make a monumental change in your lifestyle? What if you plan to start the business of your dreams? What if you start a business centered around your passion? Deciding to make a transition plan, to work from home in the future, can be both exhilarating and exciting. The resolution to make a major change in your life, to alter your destiny, will give you a fresh new perspective on life. Such a determination can give you hope and restore excitement about your future. Making a transition plan can also be comforting, because you can take your time to design a plan that is perfect for you and your family.What's A Transition Plan?
A work from home transition plan is a formal statement itemizing how you intend to make home-based lifestyle a reality. Your transition plan should not be crippled with lots of “must haves,” but should be as formal or informal as you please. A goal statement would be helpful, so that everyday, from this day forward, you will be one day closer to accomplishing your goal of starting your venture. The goal statement should include the date you will start your business, and the type of business you will start. Be specific so that there is little wiggle room. You might start with, “On January 15, I will... open my online store, start my editing services company, create and sell apps, teach people how to write.” The sky is the limit. There is nothing you can think of that you cannot invest time and energy in, to enhance your skills and develop the required know-how. Your goal should reflect your passion and your desire to work from home. Once you have completed your goal statement, it’s time to document your short-term goals. Your short term goals should be specific, optimistic, realistic and should reflect the items you need to accomplish in the advancing weeks. Your short-term goals should have multiple statements, with achievable steps. An example of one of your short-term goals might be:- Read book on building a successful online business by April 5
- Decide which website builder to choose by April 30
- Read books on teaching writing to adult students by May 15
- My gift basket store will be online in October, in time for Christmas traffic – no excuses!
